What's Going on in Turkey?

There was revelation about two weeks ago that in early 2012, Turkey outed Israeli spies to Iran in a very disturbing breach of trust for a NATO member and ally of the United States.  Turkey denies that it betrayed the agents, but the U. S. Congress thought that the relationship between Turkish intelligence and Iranian intelligence was to close and killed a deal to sell drones to Turkey in June of 2012 according to an article in the Jerusalem Post.

Although Turkey and Iran appear to have an openly hostile relationship over their differences in the Syrian civil war, Turkey has continued purchasing natural gas and oil from Iran.  In 2012 it was revealed that Turkey was sending gold to Iran in exchange for gas.  This loophole in the sanctions has since closed, however Turkey continues trading with Iran for gas and oil and say that they would buy more if they could according to Hurriyet Daily News.

Turkey, for their part has always claimed that Iran has a right to develop nuclear power.  They make this claim because they would like to have nuclear power plants of their own.  In fact they have a four unit nuke in the works.  According to Balkans.com, they expect the environmental impact report to be completed by 2014 and to have the units up and online by 2023.  A subsidiary of Rosatom Nuclear Energy a state corporation of Russia will build own and operate the nuclear power plant.  The Turks have serious differences with the Russians.  But here again, the Turks are able to overlook their moral outrage over the actions of the Assad regime in Syria when it serves their interest.

It was also announced that Turkey will be doing business with another Assad ally, China.  They have announced that they will be looking to the Chinese for a new missile defence system.  The United States and more broadly, NATO are concerned about NATO member Turkey buying non-compatible weapons system.

There are many reports that Turkey aided Israel in its latest attack on Syria.  It is being widely reported that Turkey supplied Israel with intelligence for the attack.  A Lebanese news source, however, is saying that Israel was used by Turkey as a proxy to attack Syria in revenge for their jet that was shot down in June of 2012.  Whatever the truth, it was a win-win for Israel and Turkey to destroy these weapons which were being delivered to Hezbollah.

The government of Turkey is a reflection of its leader, Prime Minister Erdoğan.  He is a master of manipulating situations to his own benefit and that is what we see happening in Turkey.  They will always do what is in their own best interest.  Sometimes, however, these decisions have proven to be rather short sighted and Mr. Erdoğan is not as popular as he once was.  Next year there will be elections in Turkey.  Erdoğan is probably running for president since a constitutional change has made the Turkish presidency a powerful position.  A few years ago, Erdoğan would have been a shoe-in.  But now his popularity has slipped and he may not win.

Turkey Rising

Turkey's influence in the world has been increasing for several years.  One of their goal is that Istanbul would be an international financial hub.  The words of the president of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, are instructive about where they see themselves fitting into the global financial structure.  They view themselves in the near future as the center of a world financial structure based on Islamic financial principles.

Gul calls for a new global financial system

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said, "the international economic system seems almost to act on a balance of economic terror," emphasizing the need to formulate a new global financial system.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Forum on Financial Systems at Wow Convention Center in Istanbul, Gul said the global economy had been going through very turbulent times recently.

The root cause of the turbulance comes from the issues in the financial system, which ultimately has impact on the whole world, said Gul, addng that the idea of having the forum was very important to search for alternative finanical systems and methods to speed up the process of overcoming the crisis.

Gul noted that Islamic finance had fallen behind conventional banking since the issue of Islamic banking and finance instruments had long been only an interest area for academics.

Reminding that the world has been undergoing a speedy globalization since the 1980s, Gul said the crisis which emerged in the American mortgage sector in 2008 had impacted Europe first and then the rest of the world.

"Therefore the states spending large amounts of funds to save the financial system in the beginning, in time themselves began to face crises in their own economies. As we assess the situation, we should be mindful of the fact that the crisis has not yet been completely overcome, global risks and uncertainities continue.

Gul said, "the international economic system seems almost to act on a balance of economic terror."

"For that reason the architecture of the modern financial system is increasingly being questioned. The most important reason of this discussion is that the means and ends have been confused," added Gul.

Highlighting that the fundamental principle of the financial system, raising the prosperity level of societies, had unfortunately been totally disregarded in the process which ended with the 2008 crisis, Gul said, "the financial system's architecture is based on expectations vis a vis a future, instead of real economic value. Financial instruments are not used for creating more employment, prosperity or income, but to satisfy increasing greed on the part of the financial actors in the system."

http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=117593

PM: UN should open center in İstanbul for alliance of civilizations

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, speaking at the 10th United Nations Forestry Forum in İstanbul on Monday, said İstanbul should become “one of the centers of the UN” for world peace, the alliance of civilizations and fair global development.

Erdoğan was referring to, albeit implicitly, Turkey's aspirations to host a center of mediation in international conflicts. Turkish authorities have been in talks with the UN to establish a UN Mediation Center in İstanbul.

“I would like to underline that it would be very appropriate for İstanbul to become one of the centers of the UN for world peace, the alliance of civilizations, tolerance and fair global development, and reiterate our request on this occasion,” stated the prime minister.

In a first step towards the creation of the center, Turkey plans to establish a prestigious retreat in İstanbul where political leaders of international conflict can get together and negotiate an agreement. The search for a suitable place for the retreat, where the UN flag will wave, is ongoing at the moment.

Hosting a retreat, and eventually establishing a mediation center, will not only pave the way for Turkey to have a leading role in the resolution of conflicts in its surrounding region but will also allow for a settlement of conflicts with the efforts of countries in the region.

Erdoğan also told participants of the forum that works to be carried out in İstanbul for world peace and messages to be conveyed from that city are very important for the construction of a more “livable world.” “İstanbul is both a European city and it is also a city well known in Asia and Africa. … We have issued messages of peace and tolerance as part of our alliance of civilizations efforts. We also believe the colors of İstanbul will provide Turkey big opportunities in its bid to host the Olympics in 2020,” he noted.

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-312064-.html

Holy Islamic Nova Roma!

There is an interesting quote by P.M. Erdoğan in the linked article.  He is quoted as saying that what the world needs most is a "global conscience".  He is quoted in the article;

“When I go to countries in the West, I see cities built in the forests where residents enjoy prosperity and richness. But when I go to Somalia, for example, I see children dreaming of a glass of milk. … We are living in an era in which we need a global conscience the most,”

This brings to my mind the call by the Vatican in October 2011 for a "global financial authority".

The push for global control is coming.  One Global World under one leader.  Apparently P.M. Erdoğan would like to apply for the job.

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Orthodox Patriarch foresees reunion of Christian East and West

Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople has told reporters that he sees a possibility for reunion between the Orthodox and Roman churches, even if it “will probably not happen during my life.” 

The Ecumenical Patriarch, who made history by traveling to Rome for the inaugural Mass of Pope Francis, said that he was surprised to receive an invitation from the new Pontiff to join in a dinner with cardinals.

Speaking in Turkey after his return, the Orthodox leader said that he saw a new attitude at the Vatican, which heightened his optimism about the prospects for restoring Christian unity. He said that “there is a possibility for the next generations to see the churches of the East and West.” 

While he was at the Vatican, Patriarch Bartholomew invited Pope Francis to join him in a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, to commemorate the historic meeting there 50 years ago between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras.  http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=17432

Pope: Bartholomew I, hope to unite Eastern churches and Rome

Even if not immediately. Francis can reform Vatican

 The Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I who attended last week the mass inaugurating the pontificate of Pope Francis, believes the reunification of the Orthodox and Rome Churches 1,000 years after the Great Schism of 1054 is possible, the Turkish press reports.

Speaking at a meeting at the university of Kadir Has in Istanbul, Hurriyet reports, Bartholomew I said he believed 'there is a possibility for the next generations to see the churches of the East and West reunited'. 'This will probably not happen during my life', he added. Bartholomew I, 73, has been since 1991 the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox church, and last week became the first patriarch of Constantinople to be present at the inauguration of a new pontificate since 1054.

Speaking about the new pontiff, Hurriyet reported Bartholomew I as saying that he 'seems very different' from his predecessors and that he 'has the ability' to reform the Vatican.

The patriarch, according to Hurriyet, said he was 'surprised' to be invited by the pope on the night of his arrival in Rome to a dinner with the cardinals which Francis asked him to bless. After the meal, which lasted two hours and a half, the talk was not only on bringing the Eastern and Western Churches closer but also the environment, an issue dear to the patriarch, and poverty, one of Francis' priorities.

The patriarch confirmed that he invited the new pope to visit Fener, the Greek Orthodox patriarchate, in Istanbul.

Francis and Bartholomew, according to Hurriyet, will meet in Jerusalem on January 4-6, 2014, during the Orthodox Christam, 50 years after the historic meeting between Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras.
http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/nations/turkey/2013/03/25/Pope-Bartholomew-hope-unite-Eastern-churches-Rome_8456740.html

 Earlier this month >

Unprecedented ecumenical gesture: Patriarch of Constantinople will attend Pope's inauguration

Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople has announced that he plans to attend the inaugural Mass of Pope Frances on March 19.

The appearance by the Ecumenical Patriarch--the "first among equals" of all the world's Orthodox leaders--is an unprecedented gesture. The Patriarch of Constantinople has not attended a papal installation since 1054, when Constantinople split from Rome.
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=17331