June 26, 2004
KNOWING YOUR ALLIES (via Eric Timmons):
Zarqawi Group Kidnaps Three Turks in Iraq (Fox News, June 26, 2004)
Terrorists loyal to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi were shown on Al-Jazeera television Saturday, holding three Turkish workers hostage and threatening to behead them in 72 hours, just as President Bush was arriving in Turkey for a NATO summit.
Zarqawi understands, as many in the West do not, that Turks are his enemies. Posted by Orrin Judd at June 26, 2004 3:36 PM
Zarqawi doesn't understand much of anything if he thinks inciting the entire world, one country at a time, against him and his nihilistic political movement is a smart move.
Posted by: Jeff Brokaw at June 26, 2004 6:25 PMMaybe a reconstructed Ottoman empire, with Crusader backing, is starting to look possible?
Posted by: Alastair at June 26, 2004 7:23 PMI wouldn't suggest creating a beheading contest against the Turks.
Posted by: mike earl at June 26, 2004 10:06 PMAlas poor Turks. They do so badly want to join the EU.
So no beheadings for now.
And, for the time being, they'll also have to treat the Kurds a bit more gingerly (or at least find one rather large carpet).
Posted by: Barry Meislin at June 27, 2004 2:49 AMThe Arab world will not like a more aggressive Turkey.
Posted by: jim hamlen at June 27, 2004 9:45 AMTurkey is isolated now, isn't it?
Not a happy time to be a Turk, but the oppressed minorities no doubt are thinking their ships are coming in, one at a time.
Turkey is headed for dissolution.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at June 27, 2004 8:10 PMIsolated? As you were typing your President was courting its leader.
Posted by: oj at June 27, 2004 8:37 PM