In Turkey’s Example, Some See a Map for Egypt

[dtotire]

As Egypt struggles to reinvent itself, many experts in the region say that it might look to Turkey for some valuable lessons.

Arriving at a template that effectively integrates Islam, democracy and vibrant economics has been a near-impossible dream for Middle East reformers stretching back decades. To a large extent, Egypt’s inability to accommodate these three themes lies at the root of its current plight.

But no country in the region has come closer to accomplishing this trick, warts and all, than Turkey. As a result, diplomats and analysts have begun to present the still-incomplete Turkish experiment as a possible road map for Egypt.

“Turkey is the envy of the Arab world,” said Hugh Pope, project director for the Turkish office of the International Crisis Group. “It has moved to a robust democracy, has a genuinely elected leader who seems to speak for the popular mood, has products that are popular from Afghanistan to Morocco — including dozens of sitcoms dubbed into Arabic that are on TV sets everywhere — and an economy that is worth about half of the whole Arab world put together.”


more:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/world/middleeast/06turkey.html?ref=world

[WCGreen]

1. So that is why Beck couldn't put his finger on Egypt the other day...

[DonCoquixote]

2. Turkey gets no respect

Even though KemalAtaturk paved the way years ago for a modern, secular Muslim state. Europe gives it no respect, especially since the french keep making sure Turkey is denied admission into the EU, despite the fact that the Turks have been part of Europe for years. Half the New testament is written to turkish provinces, and let's not forget that before Islam, there WAS a wine dark sea of Troy, and yes, there were Trojans there.

[Ozymanithrax]

3. So the original pack of Trojans came from Turkey... n/t

[DonCoquixote]

4. sigh

No, I meant this:
http://www.eduplace.com/ss/hmss/6/unit/act5.2.html