Turkey Under Attack?

Hi everybody,

I’m currently on vacation in Istanbul, Turkey, where I’ve spent two days visiting many historical mosques, palaces, markets, and architectural landmarks. This city is beautiful, exotic, hot, crowded, and a place I’m sure I will come back to in the future.

Istanbul

The interior of the Blue Mosque

Hagia Sophia

Though Turkey is a Muslim country, it is very tolerant to other religious beliefs besides it's own. Turkey is also strong economically and eager to join the European Union.

European Union Flag

Today I read an interesting article in the International Herald Tribune about an episode, which occurred  on June 22^nd.  A Turkish warplane was shot down over International waters by Syria.

A Turkish F4 warplane

Here’s the problem, the Turkish plane flew over Syrian airspace for five minutes unknowingly. The Syrians, however, shot down the plane, claiming it was over their airspace and have a right to defend themselves.

Either way, the Syrians shot down a Turkish plane, WHICH worsened relations between Turkey and Syria.

Turkey and Syria are neighbors

Last month, Turkey, the European countries, and the US removed diplomats from Syria and asked for the resignation of Bashar al-Assad.

Is Syria mad at Turkey for joining with the West? 

What do you think? Did the Turkish plane deserve to be shot down or did Syria shoot with hostility for the Turkish stance on the current regime?

The shooting of the plane looks, to me, like an act of hostility.

Share your views.

Thanks,

Emmanuel

Putin + al Assad = alliance

Hi everybody, 

Since this Syrian Uprising won’t be going away any time soon, I might as well write more about the ongoing struggle in the Middle East, and why Russia is even involved. And, I'd also like to show you a video I found moving. 

The US government is now looking more into the situation of Russia intervening with the Syrian Rebellion. There was some news recently about a  Russian cargo ship bringing arms to a Syrian dockyard. We know Syria is using arms to put down civilians (and children) who are protesting the government. 

Russian cago ship headed to Syria

Russia has an alliance with Bashar al Assad. You might wonder why a country like Russia would invest their time and energy in a small country in the Middle East.

Vladimir Putin and Bashar al Assad

1There are four main reasons why Russia is allied with Syria:

    1. Syria buys arms from Russia which gives Russia income. Russia gains wealth selling arms to foreign countries. 

22. Syria is Russia’s only ally in the Middle East. 

  3. Syria holds a Mediterranean naval port for Russia. Militarily, it's important for Russia to have a base in the region. 

44. The current Russian President, Vladimir Putin, wants to look politically strong to his people, and he and the Russians believe it's the Wests fault the Arab Spring is happening. 

It looks to me like Russia is trying to show it's political strength and gain power at the price of innocent children and civilians. 

On another note, I saw a very sad video about the torture of children in Syria on Anderson Cooper.

Warning....It’s very sad and intense (my mom actually cried), but it is eye opening to what is going on in Syria.

 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/08/tonight-on-ac360-snipers-target-children-in-syria/?hpt=ac_mid

I would also like to give a round of applause to the videographer Robert King, for risking his life, and filming this incredible video. I would also like to thank Anderson Cooper for caring about the chaos in Syria!

Thanks everyone!

Emmanuel

Outrage over Syria (Warning strong material)

Hi everyone, 

 I know there's been a lot of talk about the Syrian uprisings in the news lately. “Why would we care about an uprising halfway across the world?” you might ask.  

Map of Syria

But Syrian's are as important as you and me, and I think we should be aware of our neighbors situations. 

What if America were to start giving arms to the rebels?  I believe it would make the uprisings the US’s problem along with Syria’s. 

How many Syrians must die before the US will intervene? 

A group of Syrian rebels

The Syrian people don't like their current ruler, Bashar al-Assad. Assad's father had ruled Syria for 29 years, and Bashar al Assad has been in power since 2000. 

President Bashar al Assad

In the past year there have been many protests demanding the resignation of Bashar’s presidency (more like dictator to me). 

Bashar has sent the army to quell the uprisings, but it hasn't stopped the unrest throughout Syria. Soldiers are forced to kill civilians, and those who won't  are executed by their own colleagues.

A Syrian Soldier who has switched sides

The defected soldiers and civilians are joining forces against the Syrian army. Many people have been lost on both sides during these uprisings. UNICEF believes the Syrian government has killed more than 500 children in all, and another 400 have been arrested and tortured in Syrian prisons.

You may have heard about the killing of 49 children on the news this past week.  To me the slaughter of these children is unfathomable, cruel, and barbaric. The whole world, myself included, is outraged by these massacres!

A young victim of the civil unrest

The Syrian government reminds me of the Capitol in the Hunger Games books. President Snow rules with fear like Bashar al-Assad.  In the books, the Capital is putting children in a match to the death to punish the people and remind them who is in control. The Syrian government, likewise, is striking fear in the people by killing the children.

 

Hunger Games
The Mockingjay, a symbol of the rebellion

I'm concerned whether we should step in or not; if we end up helping the rebels overtake the government, they might turn against us in the future. 

On the other hand if we help the rebels, and they lose, the Syrian government may not be as tolerant to us than before . 

Also, Russia and Syria have an alliance and if we arm the rebels, Russia will aid the government. Then it could turn into another Vietnam war with thousands of civilians dying. 

Children are dying and...what is the answer to help them? 

Please leave a comment on whether or not you feel America should give arms to the rebels to help defeat al-Assad. 

Thanks for reading this post! 

Emmanuel