Think about the idea that Israel can defeat Turkiye. Curious what Turks here thought.
I don't care. You kept changing subject when the thread was about Iran war, not Palestine for few pages.
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Yes he did,there is some footage of it.
A Turkish-owned cargo ship sailing from Ukraine to Türkiye in the Black Sea was attacked by a Russian drone.
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See the post from last year:
Semi related from Barrack's interview with Kathimerini (referred to as K in the piece) after his meeting with Bartholomew.
Tom Barrack in "K": Let's create a new order of things in the Eastern Mediterranean
Manolis Kostidis30.11.2025 • 10:00
The intention of the Trump administration to function as a "bridge" in Greek-Turkish relations, as well as the personal interest of the American president in the reopening of the Theological School of Halki, is conveyed through his interview with "K" by the US Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack
Tom Barrack and Manolis Kostidis outside the Ecumenical Patriarchate, after the meeting of the American diplomat with Patriarch Bartholomew. Mr. Barrack's visit to The Phanar was held on the occasion of the arrival of Pope Leo XIV for the Council of Nicaea.
The intention of the Trump administration to function as a "bridge" in Greek-Turkish relations, as well as the personal interest of the American president in the reopening of the Theological School of Halki, was conveyed through his interview with "K" by the United States Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack.
The conversation took place on the sidelines of Barrack's visit to the Phanar, where he was on the occasion of the Pope's arrival for the Council of Nicaea.
For the first time, in fact, the American diplomat refers to a specific timetable for the opening of Halki in September 2026.
- I wanted to ask you about the purpose of your visit and meeting with the Patriarch Bartholomew.
– The purpose of my visit, of course, is twofold. First, on the eve of the Pope’s presence for the anniversary of Nicaea – 1,700 years later – I want, on behalf of my president, to convey our congratulations, our appreciation and our deep friendship.
The second purpose is that, when His Holiness visited America and the president in the Oval Office, he raised the issue of the Halki Theological School, which is of utmost importance to both President Trump and President Erdogan. So we wanted to follow up on progress and see if there is anything we can do to facilitate, accelerate, support the discussions, with the aim of leading to a possible reopening of the School in September 2026.
So it was an excellent opportunity to be here with the Ecumenical Patriarch and supporters from all over the world, with bishops; I hope to receive some of this grace too.
– Do you know about Greek-Turkish relations? How do you think a road map should be drawn to improve them, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean?
– I think this is starting now. What we see in the world is a new dynamic, an attempt to leave the bitterness of the past aside and create a new framework. And this must start with Greece and Turkey. It makes no sense for two great countries, tied to each other, to still hold disputes over events that happened hundreds or even thousands of years ago.
Communication – Everything starts with communication. And communication is fueled more by prosperity than by fear. If Greece and Turkey come together, think of what could be created – for the people and their dreams.
We have great news America’s ambassador to Greece – she’s a very good friend of mine. We discussed it with President Trump; we wondered if we could act as a “mortar,” like the one that joins two bricks, to bring them closer in a new way, step by step. The time has come. It has to happen. A new regional order, a new way of working together is necessary. And we hope that America can be a bridge. That’s our goal.
– Do you think that creating a forum between the two countries in the Eastern Mediterranean could be a good roadmap?
– Absolutely. 100%. It should. It all starts with communication – and communication is fueled more by prosperity than by fear. If the two countries come together, think of what could be created: for the two countries, for all their people, for all their hopes and dreams. A new network of cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean – of unity, prosperity, a better life for children. This has to be done.
– You talked about a “formula” from the Caspian to the Mediterranean – a solution you mentioned in an interview. What do you mean?
– I look at the lessons of history – what we have learned from the past. So does my boss. The reason President Trump can have this comprehensive world view is because he studies history. The Spice Road, the Silk Road connected the East to the West through three or four different routes. And on these prosperity roads an osmosis of cultures developed. This can happen again, but it has been blocked by the creation of nation-states after 1919. The idea that each country, each state is governed in a different way has not worked so well.
Cyprus – You cannot have an abscess in the center of an otherwise healthy body. Every part of that body has to be healed. And Cyprus is a crucial part of it. Our hope is that it will be included in the solution.
To create a new model of prosperity, think about it: we have the Caspian Sea with huge reserves of fossil fuels, cut off from the Mediterranean, where Greece and Turkey are the gateway. How is this gateway open? If you get rid of the political complications? And you get rid of the political complications when there is prosperity. That is our hope.
– Is Cyprus important for the region? For solving these problems?
– Of course. You cannot have an abscess in the center of an otherwise healthy body. Every part of that body needs to be healed. And Cyprus is a crucial part of it. Our hope is that it will be included in the solution.
Τομ Μπάρακ στην «Κ»: Να δημιουργήσουμε νέα τάξη πραγμάτων στην Ανατολική Μεσόγειο
Την πρόθεση της κυβέρνησης Τραμπ να λειτουργήσει σαν «γέφυρα» στις ελληνοτουρκικές σχέσεις, καθώς και το προσωπικό ενδιαφέρον του Αμερικανού προέδρου για την επαναλειτουργία της Θεολογικής Σχολής της Χάλκης, μεταφέρει μέσω της συνέντευξής του στην «Κ» ο πρεσβευτής των ΗΠΑ στην Αγκυρα, Τομ Μπάρακ.www.kathimerini.gr
Not much and it is short. He references his disdain for nation states again, mentions again the Zaihanist way of looking at things, that enough capital generation and "prosperity" can solve all issues. This mostly does work in the gulf, but I doubt it will really work on Greece and Turkey. There, US is always the one calling shots, here, Greece can always look to EU, look to Israel, Russia; and Turkey is Turkey.
So very interesting. He surely isn't suggesting the Hellenic Turkish confederation meme, but something very different. Where does this road leads us is anyone's guess.
Corvus
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I personally don't know much about this issue.
Could anyone please explain why this issue is controversial?
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And then there is the news of the US Fed giving us a bailout similar to Argentina. He really likes him, but not enough to sell us F35s.
I wanted to post this here as a reminder that regardless of the lovely words that come out of EU nations towards Turkey; most harbor extreme fear towards the Turks and do dream of one day erasing them from existence. It is so ironic that even after a 100 years, the potential within the Turks is still scaring the hell out of EU
"I had a meeting with Helmut Kohl and he told me the future of Germany depends on the Turks and holding back the Turks. I told this to Chancellor Merkel — and again she didn't listen. And we see the results today."
"I had a meeting with Helmut Kohl and he told me the future of Germany depends on the Turks and holding back the Turks. I told this to Chancellor Merkel — and again she didn't listen. And we see the results today."
begturan
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We have never had the intention of annihilating anyone. Neither before nor after Islam, in any region where we ruled, did we exterminate any race. But those countries that feared us committed these crimes against us in the Balkans, the Caucasus, Asia, and the Middle East.
In fact, the main reason they fear the Turks stems from the evils they have inflicted upon us; they believe that one day we will take revenge. the state in the south, in particular, which spreads fear of Turks throughout the world, is very worried that we will reclaim our lands.
If you constantly accuse someone of something they didn't do, one day they will do the very thing you fear.
AlperTunga
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Yes, if their paranoia and unnecessary hatred towatds Turks continue this way, their fears would self-realize.
Huelague
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You know that Helmut Kohl wants to assimilate the Turks. After the plan failed, he wants to deport or give financial incentives to Turks, to lead them back.
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Tom Barrack's recent statements have caused some concern.
He has previously mentioned that Türkiye should veer away from being a nation state. And now his statements point towards a multi-ethnic, multi-religious model for Türkiye.
I believe Ümit Özdağ mentioned this years ago, he called AKP a partner of a pan-Abrahamic order. That might sound cultish, but really what it means is a middle east that's divided and controlled by pro-US leadership. Hence why we removed Assad, and why the US attacked Iran. It's all pretty obvious and out in the open, yet there's still a lot of people who think we're an independent actor.
Hakan Fidan also recently mentioned that he wishes to add Israel into a bloc after the war is finished
He has previously mentioned that Türkiye should veer away from being a nation state. And now his statements point towards a multi-ethnic, multi-religious model for Türkiye.
I believe Ümit Özdağ mentioned this years ago, he called AKP a partner of a pan-Abrahamic order. That might sound cultish, but really what it means is a middle east that's divided and controlled by pro-US leadership. Hence why we removed Assad, and why the US attacked Iran. It's all pretty obvious and out in the open, yet there's still a lot of people who think we're an independent actor.
Hakan Fidan also recently mentioned that he wishes to add Israel into a bloc after the war is finished
depends. I think we do punch well for our size and economy. We're independent enough to do a lot of things, but if you mean enough to remove US from MENA and takeover from them? Of course not. It's still kind of their backyard with the help of Israel and other Muslim nations.
US is not going to leave Middle East for a long time.
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In 1974 was our economy great? Probably not.
How about in the 90s with the highly successful cross border ops? Our economy still wasn't necessarily great. It was 17th in the world by GDP, not much different than it is today.
The difference is we were taken much more seriously. When we threatened war, our neighbors often backed down. When Cyprus bought S300s, they got moved to Greece when we threatened them.
Now Southern Cyprus is freely arming up, and no amount of threats will stop them as our words don't mean anything anymore.
Erdoğan's constant saber rattling has completely removed the weight of threats. Everyone knows he just does it for domestic consumption.
Whilst there has been significant progress in the defence industry, it's not like we had nothing 30 years ago. We were making ballistic missiles, MLRS, APCs, etc.
Now in classic dictatorial style, Erdoğan sees all these projects as propaganda points. That's all it means to him. I believed 5 years ago that Misak-ı Millî would be pursued, now I'm seeing this is all bullshit. We're just reorganizing the middle east for Israeli and US gains.
Meanwhile PKK is politically stronger than ever.
Truth is we haven't really improved much from the 90s to now. I mean fear wise to others. I'd say we're same . Just alright enough to keep others from harming us. Just not enough to fully remove the threats.
Thats how I see it anyways.
But, are we not alright for a nation our size ? I mean, can we really just go to Iraq and take their oil and the world does nothing about it? just an example. No. We can't even remove PKK fully because we don't want the world to say mean words about us? or a strongly worded letter from EU/West.
We're like the big fish with couple more big fish in a small pond. the others being Israel and Iran I guess.
I honestly do not care what happens in GC for example we know if any serious war happens those nations that're camped there won't lift a finger to help.
But, yes we're not that "strong" enough to dictate GC and tell them whats acceptable or not. Because this region still has USA and thats who most look for to lead/dominate.
Our words don't mean much now yes. but I feel that could change sooner rather than later though, thats why there's a lot of propaganda efforts on social media to demonize us Turks. So, we're clearly feared a little bit and on the right track.
We're that nation that foreign nations don't fear too much and at the same time don't want us as an enemy. Thats how I see us right now, and potentially very feared in the near future.
To be honest, don't think we got a choice. It's not like we can change anything right now. Hard to do anything when whole region pretty much in bed with Israel.
On that front we've become pathetic. for sure.
Ryder
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The future lies in Asia and Africa.
Somalia is much more important to us than any Balkan country.
The Balkans doesnt offer anything but Somalia is a gateway to the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
Somalia and Turkish Cyprus can be linked to each other because its vital. Eastern Med connects to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Somalia is much more important to us than any Balkan country.
The Balkans doesnt offer anything but Somalia is a gateway to the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
Somalia and Turkish Cyprus can be linked to each other because its vital. Eastern Med connects to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
mehmed beg
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The future for Turkiye lies in maximal development of alternative and nuclear energy, self sufficient and sustainable agriculture, bio tech medication development and arming to the teeth.
Also technical development of general population and preventing increase of the ageing population.
Simply trade with anybody else on the basis of qué pro qué.
Maybe proximity to the people who have some similarities.
The rest is time waist
Yes , you can send bit of money, food and open a school or two somewhere. Yes you can pay a nice amount to launch rocket to the space and that's it
Maybe once upon time, some sort of common ground could have been found but now?
Do you honestly want really close co-operations with the people who while living in USA need some sort of government assistance to 89% of them????
At end of the day, there is nothing that someone can do for some like that.
As we know and as we have been informed " Allah SWT won't change the situatuon of the people unless they change themselves".
" Closeness" should be very selective and I am not saying that it should be totally pragmatic but at least based on some form of decency .
