the Syrian project is a clear example. without the ISI
so I agree with you.. $$$ (or more specifically Halal $$$s ) can do wonders
dont deviate from discussion its about Turkey and SCO ..
sorry about it
Big changes will occur in a short amount of time in Turkey following the disruptions and CIA backed Gulen operation. Before forming an idea about the occurances i recommend everyone not of Turkish origin to watch and read the following.
To answer your question.
Turks are a patriotic, proud and fearless bunch, we are aware of our ancient civilizational background of our former empires that stretched most of the known world back in the ages - we percieve ourselves as one of the greatest nation and people to ever have set foot on this planet.
As i said, if solid evidence surfaces pointing to CIA intereference in the Gulen backed coup attempt, we won't hesitate and respond accordingly. Yes we are pragmatic, yes we have gained much from our decades old alliance with the West. But we are not traitors - our alliance is important because we gain from it, not because of our cultural affiliation with the West, because culturally we are NOT part of the West - we are so only economically and politically for pragmatic reasons.
Today every single Muslim nation has witnessed the tenacity and honor of the Turkish nation. Anyone who dares to overthrow their elected officials via unlawfal, unpopular coups will remember July 15th when the nation, when the people stopped an unlawful foreign backed coup attempt. Let this be a lesson to everyone who dares trample on the innocent anyone who dares to silence the cry of the people - you will face the wrath of the voice of the people. This trend we started, but we will not end - it will be an inspiration to the entire world - regardless of the mainstream media's fruitless efforts of demonizing Turkey and our democratic culture - they can go fock themselves. And we will grow even stronger, not a single flower was trampled on, on the night of 15 July, that's the culture we come from, not a single shop was ransacked, because on that night the people stood watch.
Turkey benefited from control of Bosporus Straits and the cold war. Russia is getting weaker. it will eventually join the West. at that point Turkey will be irrelevant
IMO proximity to the Middle East has to be a curse
Turkey has 70 million people. you have 250-300 million Arabs to your South. They are not entirely united. They are 65 million Iranians to your east.
Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have the petro dollars to stop Turkish influence if you ever compete with them
Any move into Central Asia to unite with Turkish ethnic groups will be regarded by Russia and China with suspicion.