"DALOGLU: Turkey's regional influence
Perhaps too much to handle
Tulin Daloglu
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
OP-ED:
Agence France-Presse/Getty Images photographs Thousands protested Turkey's religious-minded ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Istanbul in March. The increased AKP support in Kurdish areas of Turkey has created a backlash, fueling the importance of a charity once known as Kurdish Hezbollah.
Nearly two weeks after Iran refused to yield to the demand by Germany, France, Britain, Russia, China and the United States that it stop developing nuclear technology that can lead to a nuclear weapon, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will travel to a NATO country for the first time. Turkish President Abdullah Gul will meet the Iranian leader on Thursday in Istanbul. While Iran's influence as a regional power has undeniably been enhanced by standing against the threats of new sanctions and continuing its nuclear program, Mr. Ahmadinejad's visit to Turkey will further that image. "
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