Re:Social media shutdown in Turkey
by jospoortvliet on Friday November 04, 2016 @07:23AM
(#12871718)
With regards to Saudi Arabia and stability - that might have been a rather short term decision then...
http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/article/saudi-connection-...
Re:Social media shutdown in Turkey
by not_ed_snow on Thursday November 03, 2016 @11:36PM
(#12870171)
I believe that's what parent referred to as the "pay" part.
Maybe more accurately would be "play ball with us or with nobody".
EDIT: That's not what the commenter says below:
Turkey gives NATO an very valuable geopolitical position, with leverage as the most powerful nation in the Mideast neighborhood, as well as dominating the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean, and providing a position on the southern flank of Russia, eastern flank of the Balkans (less essential post-Cold War), and a stable border with countries to the east and south. Turkey as an enemy would be a serious headache.
Qatar and especially Saudi Arabia, the wealthiest and most powerful Arab state, give the U.S. leverage and stability (at least for decades until recently) in the Mideast, which, due to the oil supply, is essential to world peace and prosperity. They also counter-balance to Iran.
Those benefits don't necessarily justify supporting oppression, but those are very serious considerations.