The Department of State (DOS) of the U.S. of A. is a huge establishment, with lots of resources, brains, and other talent. Yet, somehow its “experts” who provide advice about Turkey and Azerbaijan leave much to be desired. They seem to be really oblivious to the threat of pan-Turkism, or pan-Turanism. This demented ideology that provided the undergirding for the Armenian Genocide is alive and well today, and, judging by some of the activities and infrastructure-building undertaken by the culprits, will be a destabilizing factor in the Middle East and Central Asia in the not-too-distant future. The experts seem to be all-in for a policy of “support Turkey no matter what.”
Take a look at the accompanying picture. It is the opening visual of a YouTube video titled “2013 Turanian Army established!” (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRvIA7psXdM). The video shows footage and photos of what appear to be Turkey’s air force and other armed services. It is posted by “Turanian Asker (soldier),” whose symbol is a grey wolf—presumably the one that mothered all Turks, according to that mythology. The Grey Wolves, in Turkey, are/were a bunch of murderous chauvinistic thugs who caused much mayhem in recent decades. I’m writing all of this to provide the context that our DOS experts seem to avoid examining.
The maps and flag-colors/motifs you see in the picture are those of the territories that constitute the Turanian homeland and must be “united.” Looking at the legend, you’ll notice that much of this territory is in Russia (RF), with China (you might recall in “Turk vs. Turk,” I referred to the Uyghurs from China who were receiving training in Turkey, then fighting in Syria, before returning home) and Ukraine also being targets of Turkish/Azerbaijani expansionism—which is really what all of this comes down to. The Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (CCTS; see http://www.turkkon.org/eng/index.php and explore it yourself), founded in 2005, consists of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey. Interestingly, something called the “Turanian Army” or “Turanian National Front” was also formed that year, although something is unclear to me and the “Army” may just be an extremist’s representation of the CCTS.
The CCTS is the formal, international, legal/political face of this movement. Accompanying it is the “International Organization of Turkic Culture” whose membership, according to its website, is comprised of the following: Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Uzbekistan, Republic of Turkey, Turkmenistan, Altai Republic (RF), Republic of Bashkortostan (RF), Gagauzia (Moldova), Republic of Khakassia (RF), Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) (RF), Republic of Tatarstan (RF), Tyva Republic (RF).
Notice the overlap between the list above and the list in the legend. Then consider that CCTS lists, as its “related institutions,” the Academy of Turkic World, Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic Speaking States–Turkpa, International Organization of Turkic Culture–Turksoy, and Business Council of Turkic Speaking States. The “take it slowly” approach is obvious (“Asbarez” has been reporting on their actions as they occur) with Turkey and Azerbaijan developing relations with the other regions, networking, waiting for the opportunity to pounce.
None of this seems to concern the DOS experts, since they must surely be aware of it. Perhaps they should follow the activities of this “Turanian Army” group, which, if it exists, is probably the grassroots arm of the effort to realize the Turks’ pipe-dreams. They should read Zarevand’s United & Independent Tourania for the Armenian perspective, or go straight to the horse’s mouth and read Zia Gokalp’s Principles of Turkism to cure their cluelessness.
Unchecked, the Turks will pursue this ridiculous ideology. Eventually, it will lead to bloodshed when those who disagree with the Turks’ designs resist, or when the Turks decide those people are “in the way” just as the Armenians were…
Why not make it your project? Find the names of the staffers at the Turkey and Azerbaijan desks at the DOS, and send them relevant books as gifts. Christmas is just around the corner!
Garen Yegparian
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I agree with Garen that the US Department of State is incompetent and ignorant about Turkey and the Middle East. The whole region is now in a mess due to the blunders made by US foreign policy, implemented by the State Dept.
However, in my opinion, US Policy with regards to Turkey, is not formulated, devised or followed by the State Dept. The main player is the Dept. of Defense and NATO.
Because of the Cold War, and the continuing uneasy relationship and conflicts with Russia, the US in 1952 decided that Turkey is going to be its main military base in the region. Since then, the US and NATO have built/established 24, repeat 24, military bases in Turkey.
This presence continues to expand, as NATO has decided that Turkey is going to be NATO’s Eastern Anchor, and the controversial Missile
Defense System will be installed in the NATO bases in Turkey.
Turkey fully exploits this situation and anytime the US/NATO raises a political issue, Turkey blackmails that they will shut down the bases.
Sadly the State Dept. is a puppet. Whether Hilary Clinton or Kerry, who were advocates and supporters of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, once they became secretary of State, were forced to change their views and lost their moral compass. They are spineless.
The blame rests with the Dept. of Defense. who spends billions of dollars every year in Turkey to maintain and run the NATO bases.
Our ire should be addressed to the President and the Dept. of Defense, and in my opinion ANCA should focus on the members of the Appropriations Committee, who approve our tax dollars to be spent in Turkey.
Vart Adjemian
the two references I could not access, wonder if they’ve maybe been shut down?.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRvIA7psXdM). http://www.turkkon.org/eng/index.php
any further thoughts will be welcome…thanx