Turkey No Longer NATO-Worthy

Michael J. Totten writes for World Affairs Journal. He has been a consistent supporter of the Kurds, our most reliable ally in the Muslim world and the only one that doesn’t explicitly or implicitly hate us.

Today, in the wake of Turkey’s attack on the Kurds in Syria, Totten writes it is time to revoke Turkey’s NATO membership.

Last August, as Erdogan visited his “dear friend” Vladimir Putin in Moscow, NATO issued a telling statement. “Turkey is a valued ally, making substantial contributions to NATO’s joint efforts… Turkey’s NATO membership is not in question.”

Stop right there. Of course Turkey’s NATO membership is in question. Otherwise, why bother denying it?

The statement continues: “Our Alliance is committed to collective defence and founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty, human rights and the rule of law.” Indeed, the alliance was founded on all of those principles, none of which increasingly authoritarian Turkey adheres to any longer.

If Turkey were not in NATO, it would not be admitted. (emphasis added)

Erdogan has chosen to go his own way, so be it. NATO should expel Turkey, pour encourager les autres, and arm the Kurds.