"Russia's hi-tech supply chains" Topic

In March this year, a new firm appeared in Turkey's corporate registry. Azu International Ltd Sti described itself as a wholesale trader of IT products, and a week later began shipping U.S. computer parts to Russia…

Reuters special report: link

I do wonder why Turkey is part of NATO?

Is there even a mechanism in the NATO rules for other members to remove a member? As I have understood, even a voluntary withdrawal has to be announced well in advance.

Another issue is that Turkey controls a rather strategic position in the eastern Mediterranean, and especially the straits connection Black Sea to Mediterranean.

Turkey has become less secular and more religious over the past few decades it seems. They are in NATO as its location pretty much is where East & West meet. Plus they have the 2d largest military in NATO behind the US. Albeit US military in a rebuilding phase. Just like after Vietnam, now A'stan and the Mid East. However, IMO the US Military is having a leadership problem from the top down. NATO is generally looking for US leadership.

Turkey is in NATO because that put Russia within range of IRBMs. Cheaper, and they hit the enemy in 15 minutes instead of the 30 required for ICBMs.

The Turkish government was probably slightly more West-friendly at the time but not West-aligned. But they knew that if you didn't align with the West the USSR was definitely going to subvert you. So they were probably happy to accept a bunch of gifts in exchange for hosting missiles and bombers and whatever else.

Now Turkey is a very weird part of NATO, but it was once desirable get.

Turkey and Russia have had some scrap ups in Syria IIRC, yes Turkey is weird.

Plus Turkey's economy is a basket case and they need to leverage everything they can.

Turkey is in NATO because that put Russia within range of IRBMs. Cheaper, and they hit the enemy in 15 minutes instead of the 30 required for ICBMs.

Yes, their location is key, being between East & West. But they can be a fickle NATO member at times as we see.

Turkey has become less secular and more religious over the past few decades it seems.

In the past few decades, the religious-conservative elements have become more dominant in the politics, but this does not necessarily mean that there has been a change in the general population, which has for long been divided between secular and religious.

However, the foreign policies of Turkey have little to do with religious motives.

Data also seems to suggest Turkey has become more corrupt …

Erdogan's piety seems more than a little affected at times but of course his supporters are blind to it.

Good points Griefbringer. And in many cases in any country many of the populations does not always agree with their leadership. E.g. look at what is happening in Iran currently.

Erdogan's piety seems more than a little affected at times but of course his supporters are blind to it.

No doubt, but again, many of a nation's population are blinded by what some of their leaders say. In some cases, they are lied to almost daily. But yet some just don't see it … or in some cases care.

Population of Turkey tends to be quite divided regarding the current leadership, though it has still enough support to win elections – and there will be a presidential election coming next year.

Not sure how big role foreign policy really plays in elections there – a lot of people are likely more concerned about domestic issues and economy.

We will have to wait and see. If their elections are not altered, etc.

Several of the staff in the school I work in are Turkish and they seem to think he is actually an atheist.

I guess Erdogan's religion is conditional. He uses it when it works for him.

There not that different from us.

No Doubt … I won't mention any names …