I believe Turkey can play a vital role in 'the war against terror' and silencing the Jihadists, if it plays its cards right . . . and very soon as time may already be running out.
Click on the picture to read a very appropriate commentary by Joschka Fischer, Germany’s former Foreign Minister, and leader of its Green Party.
Here are my recommendations for Turkey to live up to its task. And I, for one, as an American first, will be very disappointed with my own ancestral pride, if Turkey fails us again. And I have accepted the fact that I will most likely receive a lot of 'negative' e-mails from Turks who otherwise sit silently as they watch the world go by. So here I go:
1. Get out of the EU unilaterally! Tell the EU: Turkey is a geographical partner in Europe but not a political servant. It's better to be a leader than a second-class citizen. Don't waste the EU's valuable time or Turkey's.
2. Instead, align with Israel and the US, and create a tri-member coalition of 'United Nations of Near East,' representing all three of the region's religions, and become a true leader. Give the Middle East back to the Arabs to decide how and why they need to either shut up and live in peace or put up and become the latest casualty in the game of extinct species.
3. Go back to the 'Republic' form of Government as opposed to the not-so fashionable 'Democratic' way of life throughout the Middle East. However, as a 'model' country, face the 'skeletons in the closet.' And you know what I am talking about. Show the 'Muslims' of Islam how life on this earth can be heavenly as well. Become and accept the role of the true 'model' of modern Islam.
4. Accept the existence of 'genocide' by both parties in the Armenian-Ottoman era. Open dialogue with scholars from all sides, and accept the results.
5. Let the Kurds decide what they want. If they want to join a miserable Kurdistan instead of a prosperous Turkey after relaxing all the restraints on all minorities, allow them. Sometimes it's better to let go a few into the sea if the raft is not comfortable enough for the survival of the majority.
6. Allow the non-Muslims to practice what they preach in Turkey. And grant the Muslims the same opportunity. Instead of banning headscarves in universities, encourage the motto: modernization through education and not restriction. Force them to reveal and 'expose' themselves for who they really are.
7. Tell Iran it can have all the electricity it needs in exchange for all the oil we need. Shut down their nuclear ambitions but allow them to operate heavy machinery even under the influence of mullahs. Believe me, sooner rather than later, they'll come around. I mean the Persians, not the mullahs.
8. Give back Cyprus to the people of Cyprus. The Turks on that island have as much allegiance to Turkey as the Greeks have for Greece. Let them enjoy their prosperity together under one flag and not under foreign occupation by any side.
9. Buy an NBA franchise in the US. There are too many good Turkish basketball players not given a chance to show off their skills to the American and World audience. Admit that great soccer players are bred in far away nations. Expect to spend a lot of money and import a few 'good' ones instead of a lot of Brazilians who are too old to even play in the US.
10. Finally, elect or select a leader, preferably a President and not a Prime Minister, who can speak English fluently. But have a few 'good' interpreters on stand-by. Interpreters who don't need further English subtitles as they talk on CNN. Hire a renowned PR firm in the US to represent Turkey and Turkish interests. Support the American Turk bloggers in the meantime :)
Do you have a Top 10 worthy of consideration? What about reducing the role of the 'generals' while cutting the defense budget by 25% and eliminating the mandatory army. What about being the first country, instead of always following others' lead, to enact some 'serious' and meaningful human rights practices those others can emulate for their own. Reform the justice system, educate the illiterate, teach the 'press' to be more newsworthy and not play into the emotions of our culture. Help 'westernize' our people. Invest in the US. Join with Hollywood and find a cause to fight for, even if it's only for great publicity. Create more 'branding.' Become more 'visible' in the US, as well as Global Affairs. Do not materialize petty differences but focus on the new world order. Don't be afraid of God but be wary of organized religion. Modernize Islam. Bring an effective end to our obsession with sex and violence. Give women a real chance. Study the past and prepare for the future. Respect the customer and instill proper customer service.
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