Turkey's Ties To Europe Will Be Seriously Damaged If They Reject Participation In Missile Defense

Recep Erdrogan, Turkey's Prime Minister, is torn between his Islamist supporters and his country's western allies Photo: REUTERS

Turkey's Relationship With West On The Line In European Missile Defence Negotiations -- The Telegraph

Turkey's government has been told that its relationship with the West could be seriously damaged if it rejects Nato's request to house part of a £165 million ballistic missile-defence shield that is being built to protect Europe from nuclear attack.

Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state and Robert Gates, the US secretary of defence, have held out the warning in behind-the-scenes talks with Turkish officials ahead of a Nato summit to be held in Lisbon on November 19, where a final decision is expected to be made on the missile-defence plan.

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Update: US and Turkey clash looms over Nato -- Financial Times

My Comment: Turkey's Islamic government is more sympathetic to Iran than to Western concerns or Nato. Will they agree to missile defense .... my gut tells me no unless certain conditions are met. Either way .... expect Turkey to be the odd country out when Nato convenes in Lisbon On November 19.