Obama's Mideast Trip

[LongBlade]

Obama is over in the Middle East right now.

Some interesting things are starting to happen over there.

First, he seems to have realized that Israel is actually a good friend of the US. In his speeches he seems to have recognized that Israel isn't the bad guy over there. There appeared to be no daylight between the US and Israel with regard to Iran. It was an amazing turnaround.

Today I've received two news flashes on my phone. First, Israel apologized for the casualties caused when it raided that Turkish weapons ship bound for Gaza a couple of years ago.

Now Turkey has announced that it has normalized relations with Israel after the apology.

In all this appears to be a dramatic and swift change in the state of affairs over there. It's probably caused by a realization that both Syria and Iran are major sources of problems for all involved, but it cannot be a coincidence that the timing is so close to Obama's visit.

There may yet be hope that he's figuring out how the world works. It can't happen too soon.

[son_of_montfort]

Shouldn't this be in R&P? I think statements like:

There may yet be hope that he's figuring out how the world works. It can't happen too soon.

Could be a little contentious...  ;)

[LongBlade]

Shouldn't this be in R&P? I think statements like:

There may yet be hope that he's figuring out how the world works. It can't happen too soon.

Could be a little contentious...  ;)

I'm leaving room for him not being able to figure things out so I don't know how that could possibly be a controversial statement  8)

[Longdan]

Shouldn't this be in R&P? I think statements like:

There may yet be hope that he's figuring out how the world works. It can't happen too soon.

Could be a little contentious...  ;)

I'm leaving room for him not being able to figure things out so I don't know how that could possibly be a controversial statement  8)

You might want to start to say nice things about him.  Think of who is coming next.

[Gusington]

I'm not holding my breath for any further good news out of the region. And why was an apology to Turkey necessary? Don't sail ships laden with weapons to sworn enemies of Israel. Easy solution for the Turks.

[MIGMaster]

Turkey is an interesting country - you wouldn't want to trust them in a pinch. I suspect that they should be more concerned about their human rights record in dealing with ethnic minorities then worrying about about a nation trying to protect itself.

[LongBlade]

Turkey is an interesting country - you wouldn't want to trust them in a pinch.

That's a really bad assessment of an ally we're all pledged to escalate up to and including tossing nukes in order to protect. Not that I am going to disagree with it...

My guess is that Turkey got a face-saving apology and Israel got a back-channel confirmation that the Turks will do their best to keep a lid on their southern neighbor.

[Gusington]

That sounds about right. Behind the Turks' backs I am sure the Israeli diplomats were giving them the finger. Or at least I hope they were.

[mirth]

Shouldn't this be in R&P? I think statements like:

There may yet be hope that he's figuring out how the world works. It can't happen too soon.

Could be a little contentious...  ;)

I'm leaving room for him not being able to figure things out so I don't know how that could possibly be a controversial statement  8)

You might want to start to say nice things about him.  Think of who is coming next.

Hilary? <shudder>

[mirth]

I'm not holding my breath for any further good news out of the region. And why was an apology to Turkey necessary? Don't sail ships laden with weapons to sworn enemies of Israel. Easy solution for the Turks.

It sounds like the apology was over the loss of life rather than the incident as a whole. At any rate, it's an impressive bit of diplomacy by Obama. Netanyahu isn't the sort to apologize for much of anything.

This a quote from a Turkish official regarding the apology:

"The Israeli prime minister, in a phone call that lasted 10 minutes, apologized to the Turkish nation for all operational mistakes, evident in an investigation, that led to human losses, and agreed to offer compensation."

[MIGMaster]

When was it that Turkey wouldn't let US aircraft launch air strikes from their soil. Was that during Iraq 2 ?  I can't remember anything since I turned 45!

[steve58]

Shouldn't this be in R&P? I think statements like:

There may yet be hope that he's figuring out how the world works. It can't happen too soon.

Could be a little contentious...  ;)

I'm leaving room for him not being able to figure things out so I don't know how that could possibly be a controversial statement  8)

You might want to start to say nice things about him.  Think of who is coming next.

Hilary? <shudder>

...even worse Hillary-Michelle 2016

[W8taminute]

That sounds about right. Behind the Turks' backs I am sure the Israeli diplomats were giving them the finger. Or at least I hope they were.

And I'm sure the Turks were also giving the finger.  I'm with MigMaster in that you cannot trust the Turks.  They are famous for playing both sides of the fence to get what they want.

[Windigo]

Turkey is an interesting country - you wouldn't want to trust them in a pinch. I suspect that they should be more concerned about their human rights record in dealing with ethnic minorities then worrying about about a nation trying to protect itself.

LMAO.... yup!
I dated a hot armenian labtech in university .... her eyes were sizzlin'

[Centurion40]

What about her whispering eye?  Did that sizzle too??!!