Turkey Watch

[Dover]

For those with an eye on Turkey, this latest interview by Charlie Rose with Turkey's Prime Minister illuminates Turkey's important and unique position in the world...the 'bridge' between East and West, North and South, Muslim and Christian, and where energy supplies from all directions converge...

What strikes me about the Western mindset that seems so apparent in interviews and articles on Turkey (as well as with other non-Western nations)
is America's egocentric point of view and polarizing (black and white, with-us-or-against-us) way of perceiving global relationships. There seems to be so little self awareness relative to our relationship to others and how they perceive us that we are blind to our arrogance, the shallowness of our understanding and the hypocrisy in our evaluations of others. A sad absence of a mature, holistic understanding and inclusiveness in favor of the adaptation of inflammatory playground tactics and rhetoric that caters to deep prejudices. I don't feel that is true of Obama himself, and I hope he will play a big part in changing these perceptions and ways of relating to others. We apparently need to have models for how to engage others, to embrace inclusiveness, adapt to and celebrate the subtle complexities of these relationships.

I also think travel is a wonderful means of educating people in very personal and important ways, and I wish it was easier and cheaper than it is. We need to find MANY ways to experience these exchanges with other nations - both formal and informal - to expand our awareness of our place in a family of nations and cultures (which is changing radically and needs to be experienced in order to understand it and find a new balance).
But first we must develop a curiosity and commitment to forming and nurturing relationships with other nations/cultures and shed our self-centered 'home'-aphobic attitudes and fear of differences.

Anyway, here is last night's interview with Turkey's Prime Minister
who not only seems to 'get it' but MUST get it due to their unique geopolitical position and the growing pressures it must bear from all directions as well as from within.

Charlie Rose and Recep Tayyip Erdogan
http://www.charlierose.com/


Also a couple of older DU threads on Turkey:

The Rise and Rise of Turkey:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x496814

Watch Turkey! - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3698157&mesg_id=3698157

[Captain Hilts]

1. This is really important. Thanks for the 'heads up'. I would have missed it. nt

[Dover]

2. You're welcome. I'd enjoy hearing any thoughts you have about the interview

or about Turkey's situation if you care to share.

I think the EU will live to regret not bringing them into the fold, but
they may be better off being "independent" given their unique role.