Destination, Turkey
posted at 12:16 pm on March 7, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
During the campaign, Barack Obama promised to visit a Muslim nation in the first 100 days of his administration as a gesture of friendship. Speculation over the destination has increased since his inauguration, with the early betting going heavily to Indonesia, where he spent a few years of his childhood. Instead, Hillary Clinton announced today that Obama would visit Turkey, which makes more sense diplomatically as well as symbolically (via William Amos):
Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, made the announcement on Saturday as she met with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, seeking to enlist Turkish help in moving forward the Middle East peace process.
Mr Obama’s visit to Turkey will be an opening step in his long-standing promise to improve relations with the Muslim world. The visit, which will follow the G20 summit in London on April 2, is expected to coincide with the Second Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations, due to be held in Istanbul on April 6 and 7. The forum seeks to “address some of the ongoing tensions and divides across cultures and religions”.
Making a major speech there on US-Muslim relations will enable Mr Obama to tick off another campaign promise. Although by choosing Turkey, which is generally regarded a bastion of moderate Islam, he will opting for a less challenging political environment than if he were to travel to the heart of the Arab world.
Unlike the Telegraph, I see that as a feature and not as a bug. It sends exactly the right message: that the US will engage Muslims who organize in rational ways and allow political freedom ahead of other nations that oppress and radicalize their people. Indonesia may not have been a bad choice either for that message, but they have not succeeded as well as Turkey in keeping radicalism out of their politics and their governance. Obama may not be opting for a “less challenging political environment” but instead challenging other Muslim nations to emulate that environment.
Also, it sends a message to other Muslim nations about Israel. Turkey and Israel have close ties, with Turkey being the first Muslim nation to recognize Israel (1949), as well as a major importer of Israeli arms. Of late, those ties have been strained by Israel’s operations in Gaza last year, but the links remain strong. The symbolism of putting Turkey ahead of other Muslim nations in this regard cannot be overlooked, either.
Turkey has long been a friend of the West and the US, and should be recognized for those efforts. This is an excellent choice.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
The only turkey is Obama.
Viper1 on March 7, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Let’s hope he doesn’t throw a crescent wrench into this relationship, as he just did with Britain.
unclesmrgol on March 7, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I am very relieved he chose Turkey.
OmahaConservative on March 7, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Er … the idiot messiah spent his formative years growing up in Indonesia (ages 5 – 10), the bulk of elementary school. The Precedent is, for all intents and purposes, an Indonesian, muslim kid – as many of us tried to get across during that joke of a campaign. And that’s exactly how he acts.
progressoverpeace on March 7, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Looks like he knows that most of them “don’t like us”… even with him as POTUS.
RalphyBoy on March 7, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Is he bringing a Fisher Price Play Mobile set as a gift?
And I hope he remembers to bring an adapter plug for his teleprompters.
Montana on March 7, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Turkey is problematic for Obama however. There is a push there to islamicize the country and the current government is highly Islamic pushing to change the country into a more radical direction.
Turkey could tip in either direction. Will Obama’s trip be the catalist ?
Also I forgot to send Ed that Hillary is sending signals that Iran and Syria could be met with. Turkey is the perfect place for that type of meeting.
William Amos on March 7, 2009 at 12:24 PM
What makes me uncomfortable is what gift our esteemed leader will give? I mean, he snubbed Gordon Brown, and gave the button to the Russians. What will he give Turkey? I’m betting a Chia Pet, or perhaps the Obama Coin Collection, or worse yet, autographed copies of his own book.
Prepare to lose more goodwill around the world, thanks to a thoughtless President.
Snake307 on March 7, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Once again we seem to be congratulating him for doing something that should have been an obvious no-brainer.
Skywise on March 7, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Why do I get the feeling that something is going to go wrong?
Firebird on March 7, 2009 at 12:25 PM
“What makes me uncomfortable is what gift our esteemed leader will give?”
How about some pork rinds?
Realist on March 7, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Can’t complain. However, what else will happen? Who else will he meet there? Syrians? Iranians?
Just because you haven’t uncovered what he’s up to, doesn’t mean everything’s kosher.
Never trust Obama. What is so hard to understand about that?
JiangxiDad on March 7, 2009 at 12:27 PM
EGYPT HAS BEEN A BETTER ALLY THAN TURKEY
reliapundit on March 7, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Unless Obama gets off script. Or stays on script. One cannot tell anymore.
Turkey’s government is hanging on by a slim thread, and has been for the past decade. There is a huge swell of pro-Islamism moving thorough the nation. Turkey is not Pakistan, nor Afghanistan. It is a modern nation, with established secular institutions, and traditions, all of which are under fire by those who would like to bring Turkey back to the Islamist fold.
If Obama by design or accident, gaffe or ignorance, says or does anything to undercut the current government in Ankara…they are toast. And so is Turkey. Everything Attaturk wished for will come undone in a heartbeat.
The current government is harsh. No doubt about it. Should Obama focus on this, instead of showing how Turkey is perhaps one of the few 21st Century predominantly Moslem nations that embraces open markets and trade, and has demurred in letting Islamism run the courts, the laws, the people, he will signal to a growing jihadi movement within Turkey that they have an ally in Washington.
Keeping my fingers crossed…but I won’t bet the farm, either.
coldwarrior on March 7, 2009 at 12:28 PM
OT: Drudge teasing NYT article:
More hope and optimism from our dear leader.
Can’t we just let the American Idol contenstants take turns being president for 24 hours? I can’t imagine those goofballs would be as incompetent as our current goofball in chief.
gatorboy on March 7, 2009 at 12:28 PM
I see this as well. Obama could incite the radicals rather than reinforce the rationals there.
genso on March 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM
It’s been said that the Obama’s have for months been working on getting the perfect gifts to present to America’s number one ally…..
Caper29 on March 7, 2009 at 12:30 PM
He will eat well there: Ottoman food (which is what the best Greek dishes really are) is delicious.
Tzetzes on March 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
It’s not the trinkets the child-president will bring with him when he jets off to see the Turks that bother me. The words he’ll say bother me.
MrScribbler on March 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
It’s a good thing the White House lunch menu accidentally got switched for the foreign policy schedule sheet. Has anyone told Zero where Turkey is yet? Will Zero be sending them a Naugahyde ottoman as a thoughtful gift?
viking01 on March 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
That is a good choice.
However, I don’t see any point in improving relations with the Muslim world though. None at all.
Not until it isn’t called the Muslim world anymore.
What the hell does anyone in the west think they can accomplish?
Bangs – head – on – desk.
I’m not saying Obama is the only clueless politician or diplomat when it comes to the Muslim world, but for the love of all that is holy, “YOU CAN’T NEGOTIATE WITH THEM!”
reaganaut on March 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Funny and sad at the same time.
genso on March 7, 2009 at 12:32 PM
What will he give as a gift? My guess is a rubber turd.
Key West Reader on March 7, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Maybe he’ll ask for the return to christianity of the Hagia Sophia as a gesture of good faith. In theory Turkey is a democratic, laicist, state run by the rule of law. However, today the only thing that prevents Turkey from having the theocrats re-establishing the caliphate is the army so maybe Obama should wait a while for the Turks to set up a real Islamic state for him to visit.
Annar on March 7, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Inside sources say it’ll be State Department Barney instead. It’ll play Barney’s signature song “I love you, you love me…” in 43 languages.
Wyznowski on March 7, 2009 at 12:33 PM
More like memorabilia of Black History Month propoganda, or copies of Rev. Wright’s sermons.
apco on March 7, 2009 at 12:33 PM
coldwarrior on March 7, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Yup. I fully expect Ogabe to piss on Ataturk’s grave and fellate Erdogan–at Chas Freeman’s behest.
Worst. President. Ever.
PimFortuynsGhost on March 7, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Perfect gift idea for the trip. They Might Be Giants cds for everybody!
BrianBoru on March 7, 2009 at 12:34 PM
The Hope thing is getting old. In every other action, Obama has shown he will not support Israel. Why… WHY are people looking at his trip to Turkey as something other than a way for him to exploit himself and somehow undermine Israel!
Obama may very well be traveling to Turkey in order to convince them to get military wares from another source and turn on Israel. He is building a coalition against Israel.
Obama’s greatest supporter and friend is Rahid Khalidi! Does the name Samantha Power mean anything to anyone? My GOD!
WHY DO WE ALWAYS PLAY LUCY AND THE FOOTBALL WITH OBAMA AND THE DEMS!
STOP WITH ALL THE INSANITY!
katy on March 7, 2009 at 12:35 PM
I think some nice first editions of some notable American-Armenian authors would be nice.
reaganaut on March 7, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Why did I use nice twice…
reaganaut on March 7, 2009 at 12:37 PM
One of a handful of good decisions Obama has made; others are in the area of maintaining certain security aspects left over from Bush.
Does this undo all the damage he’s doing elsewhere? Of course not. But he should be given kudos when he does do the right thing; otherwise, OBS (Obama Derangement Syndrome) will become as deep a psychosis as BDS.
michaelo on March 7, 2009 at 12:37 PM
One of the great cuisines of the world, and under-appreciated. Fascinating culture and land and people. Have been there, lots to see. But scared of the creeping fundamentalist Islam there these days, so I’ve unfortunately crossed them off my list. Anti-American and anti-Israel sentiment is now huge. Didn’t used to be so. Ah well.
JiangxiDad on March 7, 2009 at 12:37 PM
sorry that’s Rashid
katy on March 7, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Oh..that Barney. When you said signature song I was thinking of Barney the “Finance Queen” from Rush’s show.
JonRoss on March 7, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Better than the reverse.
JiangxiDad on March 7, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Ed…I think you assume too much to call this the “best decision he’s made.” You, nor no one here, has any idea what he will say and to whom.
genso on March 7, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Turkey is an awesomely fun country. Plus, there’s a massive tango scene there that cannot be missed.
I have no opinion of Obama going there. It’s just a really fun country.
mjk on March 7, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Well, so long as we are moving to the European model, we might as well fast track their immigration to the US. That way we can have the same problems as the Europeans do with these people living in their country.
Kini on March 7, 2009 at 12:42 PM
It will turn into a fiasco.
Why can’t he spend the time filling jobs the treasury dept.
He is too busy doing the macarena at the white House.
Firebird on March 7, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Kool-aid!
grapeknutz on March 7, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Going to Turkey….good.
What the hell he will say in Turkey…..ulcer in the making.
Limerick on March 7, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Maybe he’s out of columns.
JiangxiDad on March 7, 2009 at 12:49 PM
I oppose the use of naugahyde, we don’t eat Naugameat, so just slaughtering the poor innocent Nauga’s to get their hides is wrong. I hope the anti fur activists will get on him about that. It’s horrible, a few thousand minks is a disaster, but millions of innocent Nauga’s, no one cares.
Don’t get me started on the standard of living for most Nauga’s, there are just not enough free range left for the nauga’s to have any hope of happiness.
Snake307 on March 7, 2009 at 12:50 PM
I think he has a case of those put away for Benjamin Netanyahu.
-Dave
Dave R. on March 7, 2009 at 12:50 PM
HAA! HAA! HAA! ;)
katy on March 7, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Does Iran have an Islamic claim to Los Angeles ??
William Amos on March 7, 2009 at 12:51 PM
And when the hunters come into the woods, or come crashing across the range, seeking Nauga’s to kill…people like me, and others who value the poor little Nauga’s, are heard crying out in a loud voice, “Nauga hide! Nauga hide!”
coldwarrior on March 7, 2009 at 12:53 PM
It takes one to visit one.
Dr. Charles G. Waugh on March 7, 2009 at 12:56 PM
LOL!!
katy on March 7, 2009 at 12:57 PM
There is no moderate Islam, only moderate Muslims.
Disturb the Universe on March 7, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Tapper is saying this is not the trip during which he’ll make the major address to the muslim world.
MayBee on March 7, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Sounds like more taqiyya, kitman, & dhimmitude to me.
Beware the stealth jihad and creeping sharia.
Disturb the Universe on March 7, 2009 at 1:03 PM
I was waiting for it! LOL.
chunderroad on March 7, 2009 at 1:04 PM
NYT headline: Turkey to visit Turkey
Mojave Mark on March 7, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Snake307 on March 7, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Ah, you wanna check and make SURE you took those meds this morning?
It’s OK, I’ll wait…
oldleprechaun on March 7, 2009 at 1:05 PM
From Rueters
William Amos on March 7, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Good point. And it would do Ed well to note that Turkey had the army maintaining supreme power in its very constitution, all because islam (as moderate as Ed thinks “it” is, in Trukey) always demands the power of state and Ataturk understood this very well. He knew that Turkey could never be a modern nation unless the natural desires of islam are kept at bay, by force when necessary (and Ataturk loved being a muslim).
Turkey is the best example in the world of why islam can never be part of any modern nation and why islamic nations can never hope to be modern (as Turkey had to remove the supremacy of the military from its constitution in order to try and get aligned, governmentally, for EU membership – as Westerners prefer civilian control, to put it mildly) – though military supremacy still exists in practice, without any question.
progressoverpeace on March 7, 2009 at 1:05 PM
All Obama has to do to put a match to the gasoline-soaked populace of Turkey, would be to state that “democracy in Turkey is better then military rule.” The country would be aflame before nightfall.
coldwarrior on March 7, 2009 at 1:08 PM
LOL. Evidently, Shrillary knows nothing about Turkey. Big surprise.
If anyone ever tries to say that Shrillary has more than two brain cells to rub together I think I’m going to puke all over them. This lady is as dumb as they get. Madeleine Albright is eternally indebted to Shrillary.
Team of Retards, led by a moron.
progressoverpeace on March 7, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Didn’t Reagan say “trust, but verify?” i mean i know Obama isnt the USSR but when makes a move like this give the guy the benefit of the doubt. its the right move, though ed makes a point about political freedom in turkey…given their nack for military takeovers, im not sure id be phrasing things that way…
ernesto on March 7, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Heh. I wouldn’t put it past the moron.
progressoverpeace on March 7, 2009 at 1:12 PM
It worked for Billy Hayes..
TexasJew on March 7, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Of course we trust that Obama will do and say ‘the right thing’, and we hope President Obama succeeds.
Note: for the Irony Detection Deficiency Syndrome suffers (IDDSs)there is no sarcasm [real, implied, intended] in this comment.
Skandia Recluse on March 7, 2009 at 1:20 PM
I would point out that even a dead clock is right twice a day, however I have a feeling that Obambi will somehow screw this up. I’m betting he throws Isreal, Iraq and the US under the bus in his attempt at appeasement.
tempestleo on March 7, 2009 at 1:21 PM
No problemo! The Showtime Rotisserie. And for the kiddies, the Solid Flavor Injector and the Liquid Flavor Injector.
“Just set it and forget it.”
IrishEi on March 7, 2009 at 1:23 PM
What will he give as a gift? My guess is a rubber turd.
Key West Reader on March 7, 2009 at 12:32 PM
I’m thinking the collectors edition DVD of “Midnight Express”.
Bishop on March 7, 2009 at 1:23 PM
:)
Disturb the Universe on March 7, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Liberal diplomats are such stooges.
Obama made a choice that means “nothing” in promoting good-will within or without the M.E.
“Window-dressing” is hyperbole.
When Israel strikes against Iran’s nuclear program. The real Obama agenda will be revealed.
Randy
williars on March 7, 2009 at 1:29 PM
So far he’s abjectly failed in the category of ‘no brainers’; a little sigh of relief (if not actual positive reinforcement) when he accomplishes one is alright.
Midas on March 7, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Ed, I wouldn’t be applauding yet until we see what Obama actually tells the Turks and how they respond.
echosyst on March 7, 2009 at 1:30 PM
When will he make a trip to Israel?
SC.Charlie on March 7, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Anyone remember the time Johnson got on Air Force One and circled the globe? It was during the Vietnam era of the late 1960s. Johnson made a stop over in South Vietnam.
SC.Charlie on March 7, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Given how boring and pointless his other “major addresses” have been, I’ll consider that a blessing. But anybody want to lay odds on how similar it’ll be to his “major address” on race relations in the U.S.: your side has its grievances against us, our side has its grievances against you; but hey, can’t we all just try to get along?
AZCoyote on March 7, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Turkey is not what it was politically 10 years ago. It is a stretch now to say that they are our allies. They have an Islamist ruling government with nationalist (and very anti-American) opposition, and anti-Americanism is rife in the general population too. I hope the visit is productive and Obama doesn’t cock it up, but we can’t kid ourselves about Turkey being on our side.
evergreen on March 7, 2009 at 1:34 PM
When will he make a trip to Israel?
SC.Charlie on March 7, 2009 at 1:30 PM
As soon as the back ordered DVD of Yentl that Zero sent him arrives.
The other day Italy’s Prime Minister Berlusconi was asking why Obambi keeps sending him gladiator movies.
viking01 on March 7, 2009 at 1:36 PM
That’s because they had to change their constitution around 8 years ago to comply with EU guidelines about civilian supremacy. It’s been a quick trip downhill ever since, though the secular military still lurks in the background with threats of a coup. But those threats are not nearly as effective as constitutional law.
progressoverpeace on March 7, 2009 at 1:37 PM
From Turkey he should hop over to India to support the democracy there.
Speakup on March 7, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Rasmussen has Barry down to 56% approval. Negatives starting to soar.
SouthernGent on March 7, 2009 at 1:39 PM
He will probably give the Turkish leader a plastic tie clasp from a box of Cracker Jack. “There’ll be more of these if you play ball with America.”
MaiDee on March 7, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Let’s see, Istanbul was formerly Constantinople, where the Roman Emperor Constantine declared Christianity the official and mandatory religion of the empire. Maybe Barry could try that theme. Roots.
swede7 on March 7, 2009 at 1:43 PM
I wonder while in Turkey if Michelle will wear a purple or “Palestinian-motif” head scarf and cover her well-toned, muscular upper arms…
albill on March 7, 2009 at 1:43 PM
What if we don’t want improved relations with the Muslim world?
I, for one, don’t.
Can we start a Not In Our Name drive?
ToddonCapeCod on March 7, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Eternal praise be upon the greatest Turk, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Entelechy on March 7, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Good choice President Obama.
Well done Secretary of State Clinton.
getalife on March 7, 2009 at 1:44 PM
heh heh give it to them, along with berkeley
UNREPENTANT CONSERVATIVE CAPITOLIST on March 7, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Turkey and then?
Give him time to add a few or “change” his mind.
christene on March 7, 2009 at 1:45 PM
What do you call a visit to the Oval Office?
jgapinoy on March 7, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Secretary of Statism Clinton. Better.
swede7 on March 7, 2009 at 1:47 PM
In Turkey, publicly demeaning or questioning “Turkishness” is an offense, as is publicly questioning a judicial ruling or other political activity. You can (and people have) be thrown in jail for years for committing these “offenses”. And that’s just touching the surface of Turkish oppression, especially religiously, where even though the country houses the seat of the Eastern Orthodox church, conversion is strictly prohbitted, and it is essentially illegal to construct a new church. I’m not sure how this is liberal or forward looking, since the country is for all intents and purposes as backwards as Saudi Arabia, but whatever.
The key is to not be fooled by the face the Turks put up while trying to get into the EU.
Rainsford on March 7, 2009 at 1:47 PM
getalife, the Ezra Levant, Coming Soon Shakedown, thread awaits you with great anticipation.
Entelechy on March 7, 2009 at 1:47 PM
A collection of Armenian rugs, obviously.
progressoverpeace on March 7, 2009 at 1:55 PM
I am sure the usual anti-American rallies will be well attended and reported on by the MSM.
SC.Charlie on March 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Pyongyang. Dear Leader meets Dear Leader. Matter vs Anti-Matter. End of universe. Maybe.
swede7 on March 7, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Interesting side note: The idiot messiah’s first reported bowling score (37) was about the same as Kim Jong Il’s first reported golf score (34).
progressoverpeace on March 7, 2009 at 2:05 PM
I don’t know what Obama will give the Turks, but I hear they are giving us 4 (Hagia Sophia style) minarets to install around the White House.
faraway on March 7, 2009 at 2:05 PM
I suppose he’ll give their president 25 frozen turkeys as a present.
Dr. ZhivBlago on March 7, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Dunno about that Bambi FBHN visit to Turkey. Rep. Adam Schiff D-CA is about to submit another Armenian Genocide Bill. Heh. That worked so well two years ago. Took two weeks while support went from 200 to 1 as understanding dawned.
Small problem with the memory hole; people.
Flying Israeli
Caststeel on March 7, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Obama did something right? Why am I suspicious rather than relieved?
Guardian on March 7, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »