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September 05, 2007
Who Hates Us?
No one will confuse the US with a very popular country. But new surveys from the global attitudes project suggest that, in some regions, we're not quite as loathed as we once were:
In 2003, 98% of Palestinians didn't like us. Now, a mere 86% think we blow. Meanwhile, what's up with Turkey? That's a huge jump in anti-American sentiment. PIPA writes:
A 2005 poll by Infakto found that 71 percent of Turkish respondents agreed with the argument that “the West has helped separatist groups in Turkey”—such as the Kurdish PKK—“gain strength.” Sixty-six percent think that “Western countries want to divide and break Turkey like they divided and broke the Ottoman Empire in the past.”
The declining support among Turks for the EU and NATO is consistent with such convictions. The ratio of Turks who see membership in the EU as a “good thing” fell from 73 percent in 2004 to 54 percent in 2006, according to the German Marshall Fund. And the numbers saying NATO is essential for Turkey’s security fell from a bare majority in 2004 (53%) to 44 percent in 2006, though this remains the largest percentage of respondents.
These attitudes seem to be reflected in Turkey’s growing opposition to American counter-terrorism policies. A majority of Turks (58%) already said that they opposed “the US-led efforts to fight terrorism,” in Pew’s 2002 survey. That jumped to 79 percent in 2007.
That's not the direction we should be moving in. Turkey is one of the few Muslim countries controlled by those religious moderates we're always trying to embolden. And yet the nation's citizenry thinks US policy is directly hostile to them, and is increasingly turning away from integration with the West. Way to snuff out those few remaining bright spots, guys.
September 5, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
There is not necessarily a "right" answer in dealing with Turkey. As I understand it, the primary points of contention are two--on both, Europe is at least as contrary to Turkish wishes as the US is.
The first is the Kurds. Allowing Kurdish-language broadcasts on TV, Kurdish-language newspapers, etc is controversial, and Western pressure for it is high.
The second is religious intolerance toward practicing Muslims.
Posted by: SamChevre | Sep 5, 2007 1:34:10 PM
I feel sicko.
We really need to learn not to fear muslims.
Posted by: catherine | Sep 5, 2007 1:39:30 PM
"The second is religious intolerance toward practicing Muslims."
You mean, a "moderate" Islamist party currently controlling all branches of Turkey gov, is religiosly intolerant toward itself?
Helloooo?
Posted by: mik | Sep 5, 2007 3:00:57 PM
"We really need to learn not to fear muslims."
Right after we learn not to fear forceful conversion, death by beheading or dhimmitude.
These are 3 options infidels have under Muslim rule.
After we learn that, we will be totally fine with moslems.
Posted by: mik | Sep 5, 2007 3:03:38 PM
I would guess that a similar poll among readers of this blog will yield between 40-50% of US based readers having unfavorable opinion about US.
That would rank this blog as more friendly to the USA that Morocco, about the same as Kuwait, but less friendly than Kuwait in 2003.
About right for american lefties, don't you think?
Posted by: mik | Sep 5, 2007 3:08:32 PM
These are 3 options infidels have under Muslim rule.
Please explain, in your own words and in detail, why you think the last three words of that are at all likely to come true. Because the rest of what you wrote makes very little sense otherwise.
Posted by: Cyrus | Sep 5, 2007 3:21:16 PM
Well, there's also the domestic dynamic by which there are a few congressional districts (mostly in Southern California) where Armenians have a significant pull, but none where Turks are a major organized force, so we bug them over the genocide every now and then. They really hate that.
I live in Little Armenia in Hollywood. The stage for the big Armenian Independence Day celebration is just around the corner, and I hear the speeches each year. Depending on where they came from, the Armenians speak different languages, have different cuisines, worship in different churches. The only thing that ever seems to bring them together is hating the Turks, and boy do they love to do that.
Posted by: Senescent | Sep 5, 2007 3:38:05 PM
"The second is religious intolerance toward practicing Muslims."
You mean, a "moderate" Islamist party currently controlling all branches of Turkey gov, is religiosly intolerant toward itself?
You didn't notice that the army was threatening to intervene when it looked like the moderate Islamist party's candidate would be elected President? And that the moderate Islamist party is proposing as a "concession" to practicing Muslims something that would be constitutionally guaranteed here?
Posted by: SamChevre | Sep 5, 2007 3:42:08 PM
What a hoot. One of the scenarios coming out of our impending defeat in Iraq is that the only US military bases will be in Kurdistan. Also we will feel compelled to keep them active in order to deter a bunch of seriously pissed off Arabs from reconquering that land. We could have a military presence there for another century. All this time, this safe haven for Kurds will be supporting liberation movements in Turkey, Syria and Iran. These latter three countries will then be under pressure to enter into alliance. Oh the possibilities.
Posted by: syvanen | Sep 5, 2007 8:01:10 PM
The only thing that ever seems to bring them together is hating the Turks, and boy do they love to do that.
As someone who's heard hearty choruses of 'I'd rather be a Nazi than a Turk' from Cypriot Londoners (to the tune of 'If you're happy and you know it') I sympathise.
Posted by: pseudonymous in nc | Sep 6, 2007 1:14:26 AM
MIK, thanks for making my point. Nice, fake and cowardly email address.
Posted by: catherine | Sep 6, 2007 1:56:05 AM
"MIK, thanks for making my point."
You are welcome baby. We are here to please.
Would you like to visit our "ally", a nice "moderate" Islamist Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with me?
While there you may start a feminist progressive Christians For Hillary church. I might enjoy the show.
Posted by: mik_infidelos | Sep 6, 2007 4:12:32 AM
" "These are 3 options infidels have under Muslim rule."
Please explain, in your own words and in detail, why you think the last three words of that are at all likely to come true."
Are you for real?
There are 49 majority Muslim countries, ie Muslim rule but not necessarily using Sharia laws exclusively.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are ruled by Sharia almost exclusively. At least in 2/3 of Muslim countries Sharia is being used to a different degree, usually more on local level than on national level.
Elements of Sharia are starting crop up in England, France, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Spain, etc even though Muslim population in these countries is below 15%.
Since Muslims in EU reproduce much faster than natives, it is projected that in 20-40 years one or more European countries will become majority Muslim, ei Muslims will rule. A majority Muslim residents in EU countries would prefer to live under Sharia. One can project that when they achieve majority, they will make Sharia the Supreme law if the land.
Posted by: mik_infidelos | Sep 6, 2007 4:37:34 AM
Since Muslims in EU reproduce much faster than natives, it is projected that in 20-40 years one or more European countries will become majority Muslim, ei Muslims will rule.
Name them, you gibbering racist fool. Go on. Give me the name of one European country - that is, a current member of the European Union - which could be majority Muslim in 20 years.
Let me give you some help. France is under 10% Muslim. For France to become majority Muslim in 20 years, either 90% of the French population would have to die or emigrate - that's over two million a year - or 50 million more Muslims would have to be born or immigrate. You really think that's going to happen?
Or name me an element of sharia law that's "cropped up" in England. Because, you know, looking out my window RIGHT NOW I can see immodestly dressed women, gambling, smoking and four different pubs.
Posted by: ajay | Sep 6, 2007 5:37:51 AM
when did conservatives turn into a pack of cowards like mik? Oh yeah, 9/11 changed everything.
Posted by: merlallen | Sep 6, 2007 8:05:58 AM
Is the tide turning?
Please read my blog on the Kurds of Turkey and the Neo Con/Exxon Mobil plans for Kurdish oil.
Posted by: Hevallo | Sep 7, 2007 6:58:40 AM
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