Let's be absolutely clear, we aren't comfortable with the Erdogan government but that in no way excuses terrorism. It's a reminder, if one is needed, Turkey lives in a dangerous neighborhood, next door to Syria, and deals with a restive Kurdish minority which seeks its own nation.
NBC News reports as follows:
U.S. officials said the attack had all the hallmarks of ISIS, which has in recent months stepped up bombings in the country, although Turkey has historically suffered attacks from Kurdish separatists.Kurdish attacks have focused on Turkish police and military, not on tourists. Turkey has been openly ambivalent about the ISIS movement which represents Sunnis (Turks are Sunnis) and opposes the (non-Sunni) Assad government as does Turkey. If there is any silver lining in this and similar attacks, it is that perhaps Turkish ambivalence will morph into steely opposition to ISIS.
