Misunderstood Turks by Behcet Kaya

There is a media frenzy in the United States about Türkiye, particularly in the U.S. defense sectors. What they are concerned about is how Türkiye managed to be so successful in developing military weapon systems.

 

In addition, there is ongoing analysis of how the Trump administration should follow current U.S. foreign policy with respect to Türkiye.

 

First, I would like to discuss Turkiye’s rapid success in becoming number eleven in world weapon industry. Eleventh is determined by the world military hardware seller's system. In 2003, when the Erdogan administration came to power, Türkiye was only developing 20 percent its own military equipment. As of today, it has reached 90 percent and is aiming to become 100 percent as soon as TEI company completes its Turkish made jet engine which is estimated to take another 3 to 5 years. By that time KAAN 5th generation fighter jet will be a completely Turkish made aircraft.

 

Why does this rapid success surprise and worry America? Because America made the decision to take Türkiye over from the British after WWII. Prior to that, Britain had great internal influence over Türkiye. When the exchange took place America offered Türkiye their used and excess airplanes free of charge, considered it military aid and in exchange demanded that Türkiye discontinue its aircraft industry which at that time was partnered with Germany.

 

At that time Türkiye was building its own aircraft. In fact, Turkiye sold postal airplanes to Denmark, several of which are displayed in the Museum of Denmark. Recently Turks unearthed aircraft made by a Turkish company that had been buried in a field since 1927. This was done by Turks working undercover for America for American interests.

 

Also, at that time Türkiye was considered to be a weak nation. To the north Stalin was threatening Türkiye by demanding three cities on the eastern border- Kars, Ardahan, and Agri. In addition, Russians were demanding control of the Dardanelles and Bosphorus waterways. For those reasons Türkiye joined NATO to protect itself from Stalin’s aggression and in exchange agreed to send troops to Korea, as demanded by U.S.

 

Why am I trying to explain this? It is because Americans have never been able to understand Turks. But the British and western power houses understood very well about who the Turks are. Americans still have difficulty in analyzing Turkish character. That is why their analysts are appalled to find Turks deep-seated anti-American sentiment. (Pew Research Center)

 

As far back as 1492, the Spaniards had first-hand knowledge of the Turks who would not allow Spanish ships to sail through the Mediterranean Sea. When Christopher Columbus set to sail to India to reach the spice centers of the east, he sailed in the opposite direction, believing the world was round. Instead of India, he discovered America.

 

Then came the British. In the beginning of WWI, they tried go through the Dardanelles with the aim of helping Russia against Germany. The British learned their lesson, losing many of its own soldiers along with its allies, ANZAC soldiers.

 

Here are the facts about Turks- you are either a friend, or you are the enemy. There is no in-between. That is the Turkish character. Americans are about to realize that. That is why they are desperate to learn how the Turks are managing to succeed in building 5th generation fighter jets in an industry where only four other nations have managed to succeed. Along with jets, Turks are manufacturing armored vehicles, corvettes, frigates, and, aha, the UAV drones. Türkiye has overtaken both the American and Israeli markets right under their noses. The Turkish Bayraktar TB-2 has sold to 35 nations and is considered the best its category. When compared to the MQ9 American made UAV, which is sold for over $100 million, the TB-2 has a price tag of only $5 million.

 

As I have said numerous times, America loves to put embargos on everything. In response, the Turks have activated their century long customs, gathered all the knowledge, gathered its brain power, and designed and manufactured its own 5th generation jet.

 

Surprised? Not the British or the Spanish. But America? America has gone along thinking that the Turks are under their influence, like all the other nations, including Arabs, and even Israelis. I say this because the Israelis tried to build their own fighter jet that is not even a 5th generation. They had to give up. Building a fighter jet, let alone a 5th generation fighter jet, is much, much more difficult than building an atomic bomb.

 

And now, finally, some of the American think tank institutions are beginning to realize that they have two choices, either gain back Turkish trust or go completely in the opposite direction.

 

Hopefully, the Trump administration will make the right choices.