July 13, 2008

Terrorists Strike U.S. In Turkey

It is time to stop calling the mayhem in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel as a “Middle East War” that the United Nations can stave off.

World War III is already under way. The question is: will it get worse before it gets better?

The attack Wednesday by terrorists against the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, indicates that hate-America attitudes are worldwide.

Four gunmen in a car drove up to the gate of the high-walled consulate. Three terrorists jumped out and started firing on Turkish guards. The car and driver sped away.

The three assailants, three guards and two bystanders were killed in a brief gun battle. A fourth suspect was arrested a short while later. All were Turk nationals.

Abdullah Gul
Courtesy Wikipedia

No Americans or consular employees were injured. U.S. Ambassador Ross Wilson called the attack: “An obvious act of terrorism. Our countries will stand together and confront this, as we have in the past.”

Turkish President Abdullah Gul called the slain police officers martyrs. “We will fight against those who masterminded such acts -- and the mentality behind it -- to the end.”

Turkey has been plagued for years by Islamist extremists and Kurdish separatists.

(For additional 1971 editorial reference, click here: "Turkey Could Spark Middle East War")

NOBLE PROPHET

Was it mere coincidence that Iran last week fired a salvo of test missiles capable of reaching Turkey, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Gaza with a uranium warhead?

Iranian Missile
Courtesy www.defensetech.org

Not likely. The saber-rattling was code named by Iran as “Noble Prophet.”

Three weeks ago, Israel sent more than 100 jet fighters, helicopters and refueling planes over the eastern Mediterranean Sea for practice.

The distance was the same as that from Israel to Iran’s nuclear enrichment factory.

A spokesman for the Israel military said his country “regularly trains for various missions in order to confront and meet the challenges posed by the threats facing Israel.”

The Iranian missile firings were meant to intimidate Arabian neighbors who make nice with America.

RUSSIA AND IRAN PALS

Secretary of the U.S. State Department, Condoleezza Rice, signed an agreement with the Czech Republic the other day to establish missile-defense radar there to warn of possible Iranian attacks.

“We face with the Iranians – and so do our allies and friends – a growing missile threat that is getting ever longer and ever deeper, and where the Iranian appetite for nuclear technology to this point is still unchecked.”

Russia strenuously objects to the proposed radar facility as a threat to itself. All other European nations are worried that Iranian clerics might launch a holy war against infidels far and wide.

It is worrisome that Russia has furnished uranium to Iran and is helping that country build and operate an underground uranium-enrichment factory.

END OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Turkey seems to be drifting back to the clergy-dominated Ottoman government prior to the First World War.

Young Turks were restless under rigid, religious rules. A new generation coveted the personal freedoms and opportunities of Europe and America.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
Courtesy Wikipedia

The leader for such yearning was Mustafa Kemal – to which the name Ataturk (Father of the Turks) was added in 1935 when he introduced the western practice of surnames.

He was graduated from the Istanbul Military School in 1905. He served with distinction in the Balkan Wars repelling the Allied invasion at the Dardanelles. He established a provisional government in Ankara to depose the Ottoman Sultanate in 1923.

As president, Ataturk squelched most religious rules – replacing them with enlightened government programs and social reforms.

He established a modern, secular republic with himself undisputed president. His regime lasted until 1945.

His reforms included the emancipation of women, abolition of all Islamic institutions and introduction of Western legal codes, dress, calendar and alphabet.

Abroad, he pursued a policy of neutrality, establishing friendly relations with Turkey’s neighbors.

ISLAMIC INFLUENCE AGAIN

Turkey strives to continue its modern history as a republic, but the Islamic influence is challenging once again for dominant influence.

As noted, anti-American Islamic terrorists are striving to drive wedges between Turkey and its democratic neighbors.

There is grumbling in Turkey about allowing transmission of munitions for American forces in Iraq.

Islamic religious practices are growing in Turkey. Military actions against the Kurds of Iraq grow more frequent.

Iran grows bolder in challenging United States Navy ships and commercial oil tankers safe passage in the Persian Gulf.

Firing long-range missiles, refining uranium and threats against Israel are aggravating -- but interfering with the shipment of oil is intolerable.

Israel has a short fuse about its safety. Iran clerics -- cherishing Russian support -- are too boastful about their hates -- and intentions to control Persian Gulf oil.

Iran soon will be capable of nuking Israel with a missile – but Israel has a fleet of warplanes and a cache of nukes.

The only question remaining is who blinks?

By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist