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Post by Gingerbread Man on Oct 20, 2014 11:04:38 GMT
Yes, I can't link the story but were again arming another faction in the middle east. The Turks, the Sunnis and Shites hate the Kruds. I don't see a warm fuzz coming out of this.
Didn't we arm the Lybians? Didn't turn out so hot. Oh, let's just take our ball and go home.
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Post by NamelessStain on Oct 20, 2014 11:27:40 GMT
A small history of the dog biting back..
US supports shah of Iran, Iranian Revolution captures gear and holds hostages for 444 days including a failed rescue attempt.
US supports Iraq against Iran, Iraq invades Kuwait, fights US
US supports the Muhj against USSR, Muhj turns into Taliban and Al Qaeda, attacks US
US attacks Taliban, Blue on Green attacks against US and border fighting with Taliban and US
US supports Kurds.... waiting for this reversal.
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Post by Browning35 on Oct 20, 2014 12:08:08 GMT
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Post by Gingerbread Man on Oct 20, 2014 12:11:01 GMT
I like the Kurds simply because they do support us but the Turks hate them viciously so that give me great pause. I'd rather see the Turks take care of the issue. I guess we'll see how this plays out.
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Post by Browning35 on Oct 20, 2014 12:35:52 GMT
Turkey is an ally too and part of NATO so we'd have to be careful, but honestly much of the Turkish-Kurdish hostility is of Turkey's own making back when they were the Ottoman Empire up until now. Ethnic oppression and land grabs the name of the game. This is just a case of the chickens coming home to roost.
I realize that no nation on Earth is going to willingly give up territory without some sort of conflict. However if Turkey just gave them at least part of their historical lands and let them go their own way that would more than likely be the end of it.
Much of this situation is of the Wests own making from WWI, but like you said it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.
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Post by Gingerbread Man on Oct 20, 2014 13:04:02 GMT
I agree, I'm not sure why they're so opposed to giving back that big sandy barren area or why they fight like cats and dogs over it. Probably Skyces/Pico related.
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Post by Browning35 on Oct 20, 2014 14:06:09 GMT
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Post by MrEMonkey on Oct 23, 2014 6:40:13 GMT
Turkey is an ally too and part of NATO so we'd have to be careful, but honestly much of the Turkish-Kurdish hostility is of Turkey's own making back when they were the Ottoman Empire up until now. Ethnic oppression and land grabs the name of the game. This is just a case of the chickens coming home to roost. I realize that no nation on Earth is going to willingly give up territory without some sort of conflict. However if Turkey just gave them at least part of their historical lands and let them go their own way that would more than likely be the end of it. Much of this situation is of the Wests own making from WWI, but like you said it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.  |
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Post by Gingerbread Man on Oct 23, 2014 10:43:36 GMT
Between having the Turks as allies as opposed to the Kurds, well, I'm sticking with Turkey. They maybe goofballs but they don't tolerate the fanatics.
And reports are now out that FIVE Abrams M1A1 have had their armour breached by the TOW missiles we've given to the rebels(which flavor it was I'm not sure). Great, now they have weapons that can defeat our best battle field weapons.
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Post by homerj on Oct 23, 2014 16:19:51 GMT
I dunno, the Turk PM does not come across as very moderate. I think a good baseline of their sentiment is their relationship with Israel, it has gone to crap in recent years which I think is a reflection of their increasing radicalization. I would rather us back the Kurds I think their situation (being f'd over by pretty much every country they have significant populations in) bears consideration. Because of us they have their first real semblance of a homeland after centuries of being opressed and dispersed. I think that and continued support to ensure this semblance of Kurdish state can survive will win us a very real ally in the Kurds if for no other reason than necessity to survive.
The Abrams we export to Egypt and Iraq do not have the ubber secret chobham armor that our M1s have. I am not cav but pretty sure it will take more than a tow to defeat our armor, mobility kill to the tracks sure, but I doubt it would penetrate the chobham.
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Post by Gingerbread Man on Oct 23, 2014 16:41:23 GMT
I didn't know that we didn't export the ubber armor. Huh, something new everyday. Thanks!
Yeah, the guy in charge over in Turkey is a loon bat but I trust the Turkish people. It's like judging Americans by our loon bat.
I do hope the Kruds get their land, everyone deserves their own place.
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Post by homerj on Oct 23, 2014 17:50:58 GMT
The speculation is that it is some kind of alloy or layering of tungsten and depleted uranium coated in gypsy tears or who knows what.
I hope you are right, I saw a news story where ISIS kidnapping cells focused on our Airbase in Turkey are being found, I hope they dont end up being a frenemy like Saudi Arabia.
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Post by Gingerbread Man on Oct 23, 2014 18:08:22 GMT
Well, they are a NATO member and traditionally have gone to war with us and generally tend to be secular. But who knows.
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