Comments for Yale Journal of International Affairs http://yalejournal.org Thu, 17 May 2012 14:38:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 Comment on Turkey’s Reactions to the Arab Spring by Nuri http://yalejournal.org/2012/05/turkeys-reactions-to-the-arab-spring/#comment-3660 Nuri Thu, 17 May 2012 14:38:21 +0000 http://yalejournal.org/?p=2986#comment-3660 Turkey is merely a pragmatic player. With the likes of PM Tayyip Erdogan and FM Ahmet Davutoglu, Ankara has finally found players who are not weighed down by the unspoken rules of a shadowy secret government that impeded Turkey's progress for many decades. The real issue here is not the various details of how Turkey has handled the Arab Spring so far. The real issue is the underlying narrative. I submit that various disparate developments all point to a need for and a move toward the establishment of a common security architecture that will bring together Arabs and Israelis, Turks and Greeks, Kurds and Armenians. The establishment of a viable new security architecture for the region is vital for the interests of the Western Alliance at a time when the Asia Pacific region is heating up beyond all recognition. And for a Middle-Eastern NATO of sorts, it would be hard to find better allies than the current leadership in Ankara. Turkey is merely a pragmatic player. With the likes of PM Tayyip Erdogan and FM Ahmet Davutoglu, Ankara has finally found players who are not weighed down by the unspoken rules of a shadowy secret government that impeded Turkey's progress for many decades. The real issue here is not the various details of how Turkey has handled the Arab Spring so far. The real issue is the underlying narrative.

I submit that various disparate developments all point to a need for and a move toward the establishment of a common security architecture that will bring together Arabs and Israelis, Turks and Greeks, Kurds and Armenians.

The establishment of a viable new security architecture for the region is vital for the interests of the Western Alliance at a time when the Asia Pacific region is heating up beyond all recognition. And for a Middle-Eastern NATO of sorts, it would be hard to find better allies than the current leadership in Ankara.

]]> Comment on Yes, You Can Say ‘Genocide,’ Mr. President. by Michael Avanesian http://yalejournal.org/2012/03/yes-you-can-say-genocide-mr-president-3/#comment-3617 Michael Avanesian Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:29:58 +0000 http://yalejournal.org/?p=2730#comment-3617 If you want an example of a practical benefit to Armenians. Armenian's were denied the ability to sue the Turkish government by the 9th Circuit (in a correct decision) because... the President and Congress have not recognized the genocide! At the very least, lawsuits can continue to go forward. If you want an example of a practical benefit to Armenians. Armenian's were denied the ability to sue the Turkish government by the 9th Circuit (in a correct decision) because... the President and Congress have not recognized the genocide!

At the very least, lawsuits can continue to go forward.

]]> Comment on Childhood Blindness Prevention: Seva Canada Programs in Malawi by Leon http://yalejournal.org/2011/11/childhood-blindness-prevention-seva-canada-programs-in-malawi/#comment-3586 Leon Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:58:38 +0000 http://yalejournal.org/?p=2305#comment-3586 Wonderful, beautiful essay. Well-done YJIA. Wonderful, beautiful essay. Well-done YJIA.

]]> Comment on Where China Meets India: Burma and the New Crossroads of Asia by Monday, 9 April 2012 | Black Wave http://yalejournal.org/2011/12/where-china-meets-india-burma-and-the-new-crossroads-of-asia/#comment-3582 Monday, 9 April 2012 | Black Wave Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:37:32 +0000 http://yalejournal.org/?p=2489#comment-3582 [...] threat of American militarism in all of Asia][18]. India should stay away from containing China and a review of “Where China Meets India: Burma and The New Crossroads of Asia.” Narenda Modi might be getting a makeover in the US press, but the right-wing Hindu nationalist will [...] [...] threat of American militarism in all of Asia][18]. India should stay away from containing China and a review of “Where China Meets India: Burma and The New Crossroads of Asia.” Narenda Modi might be getting a makeover in the US press, but the right-wing Hindu nationalist will [...]

]]> Comment on Yes, You Can Say ‘Genocide,’ Mr. President. by Laura Dadagian-O'Rourke http://yalejournal.org/2012/03/yes-you-can-say-genocide-mr-president-3/#comment-3581 Laura Dadagian-O'Rourke Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:23:29 +0000 http://yalejournal.org/?p=2730#comment-3581 Excellent and timely article. The "great calamity" is the hypocrisy and complete lack of courage displayed by U.S. officials such as President Obama, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and US Secretary of State Clinton. Each of these representatives of the US has shown total disrespect for the millions of Armenians who died, and the countless others who suffered as a result of the Armenian Genocide, by first recognizing the genocide, then shallowly flip-flopping with vague and ridiculous characterizations of what happened just to appease the Turkish government for use of their precious Incirlik Air Base. Is that what the US government stands for? All three officials would do well to flip open a Dr. Seuss book and read the phrase, "I meant what I said and I said what I meant." Mark Dietzen is correct: It IS time to remove this albatross!! Excellent and timely article. The "great calamity" is the hypocrisy and complete lack of courage displayed by U.S. officials such as President Obama, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and US Secretary of State Clinton. Each of these representatives of the US has shown total disrespect for the millions of Armenians who died, and the countless others who suffered as a result of the Armenian Genocide, by first recognizing the genocide, then shallowly flip-flopping with vague and ridiculous characterizations of what happened just to appease the Turkish government for use of their precious Incirlik Air Base. Is that what the US government stands for? All three officials would do well to flip open a Dr. Seuss book and read the phrase, "I meant what I said and I said what I meant."
Mark Dietzen is correct: It IS time to remove this albatross!!

]]> Comment on Yes, You Can Say ‘Genocide,’ Mr. President. by Nelly Selyan http://yalejournal.org/2012/03/yes-you-can-say-genocide-mr-president-3/#comment-3568 Nelly Selyan Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:49:17 +0000 http://yalejournal.org/?p=2730#comment-3568 As I can see the Turks have always acted anonymously and the Turk that has left his/her reply here is also anonymous. Why? Is he/she afraid? Why can't he/she put his/her name under their ideas? Who is he/she afraid of? Can a whole nation be so ignorant as to be slaves in the hands of their own Government? How long can this situation last? I sincerely hope that there would appear a number of progressive thinkers in that nation to help the Turks come out from the darkness and ignorance, they have appeared because of their leaders and state policy, and help them to gain courage to accept the crime performed by their fathers and grandfathers and save their souls. As for the author of the article, I would like to thank Mr. Mark Dietzen for his honesty and braveness. He can look through the comments and see once again who is who. Armenians never forget those who do something good for them and never forgives the villains. As I can see the Turks have always acted anonymously and the Turk that has left his/her reply here is also anonymous.
Why? Is he/she afraid? Why can't he/she put his/her name under their ideas? Who is he/she afraid of?
Can a whole nation be so ignorant as to be slaves in the hands of their own Government? How long can this situation last?
I sincerely hope that there would appear a number of progressive thinkers in that nation to help the Turks come out from the darkness and ignorance, they have appeared because of their leaders and state policy, and help them to gain courage to accept the crime performed by their fathers and grandfathers and save their souls.
As for the author of the article, I would like to thank Mr. Mark Dietzen for his honesty and braveness. He can look through the comments and see once again who is who. Armenians never forget those who do something good for them and never forgives the villains.

]]> Comment on Yes, You Can Say ‘Genocide,’ Mr. President. by Ani Mkrtchyan http://yalejournal.org/2012/03/yes-you-can-say-genocide-mr-president-3/#comment-3566 Ani Mkrtchyan Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:56:01 +0000 http://yalejournal.org/?p=2730#comment-3566 The Armenians will continue to be nevertheless the Turks will accept genocide or not. History has shown so far that despite so many wars and despite the worst geographical position and being surrounded by enemies, the Armenians continue to be and will be forever. Thank you Mark, for presentation of the facts. We want Turks to accept the genocide in order other nations to see that such massacres are punishable. The Armenians will continue to be nevertheless the Turks will accept genocide or not. History has shown so far that despite so many wars and despite the worst geographical position and being surrounded by enemies, the Armenians continue to be and will be forever.
Thank you Mark, for presentation of the facts. We want Turks to accept the genocide in order other nations to see that such massacres are punishable.

]]> Comment on Yes, You Can Say ‘Genocide,’ Mr. President. by Anonymous Turk http://yalejournal.org/2012/03/yes-you-can-say-genocide-mr-president-3/#comment-3529 Anonymous Turk Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:40:47 +0000 http://yalejournal.org/?p=2730#comment-3529 The US's use of the word genocide will not force Turkey to 'confront' its past, because their concept of what happened in that past is different. France just accepted a bill to criminalize the denial of the Armenian Genocide - that hasn't prompted Turkey to 'confront' its past. Turkey's views of what happened are completely different. A genocide is a systematic policy of a government to exterminate a whole ethnic group/race. That wasn't the case here. There were millions of Armenians living in Istanbul at the time, who weren't massacred. Turkey acknowledges that 'tragic' events happened, in which both Turks and Armenians lost their lives, but it rejects the accusation of “genocide.” The Turkish government maintains that there was no centralized attempt to wipe out the Armenians. Instead, Turkey says that many massacres were committed on both sides as a result of inter-ethnic violence in the context of a broader world war. Turkey has offered to establish a committee of historians (both Armenian and Turkish) to research the issue. Armenians have refused. The problem is that Armenia as a nation has nothing to hold it together except the 'Armenian genocide'. This is their patriotic thing. That's why they hold on to it so much. The issue with the Congress/House is just a U.S. domestic policy issue. Nancy Pelosi needs to cater to her Armenian constituents in CA. OK, fine, but what does that have to do with something in another country's past? What good does it do us to pass laws/bills on the history of another country? It's completely pointless. As far as how to refer to it - Hillary Clinton had the best solution: She calls it the 'so-called' Armenian Genocide. It has the word 'genocide' in it to make the Armenians happy; and the words 'so-called' to make the Turks happy. Now that's a good diplomat... The US's use of the word genocide will not force Turkey to 'confront' its past, because their concept of what happened in that past is different. France just accepted a bill to criminalize the denial of the Armenian Genocide - that hasn't prompted Turkey to 'confront' its past. Turkey's views of what happened are completely different. A genocide is a systematic policy of a government to exterminate a whole ethnic group/race. That wasn't the case here. There were millions of Armenians living in Istanbul at the time, who weren't massacred.

Turkey acknowledges that 'tragic' events happened, in which both Turks and Armenians lost their lives, but it rejects the accusation of “genocide.” The Turkish government maintains that there was no centralized attempt to wipe out the Armenians. Instead, Turkey says that many massacres were committed on both sides as a result of inter-ethnic violence in the context of a broader world war. Turkey has offered to establish a committee of historians (both Armenian and Turkish) to research the issue. Armenians have refused.

The problem is that Armenia as a nation has nothing to hold it together except the 'Armenian genocide'. This is their patriotic thing. That's why they hold on to it so much.

The issue with the Congress/House is just a U.S. domestic policy issue. Nancy Pelosi needs to cater to her Armenian constituents in CA. OK, fine, but what does that have to do with something in another country's past? What good does it do us to pass laws/bills on the history of another country? It's completely pointless.

As far as how to refer to it - Hillary Clinton had the best solution: She calls it the 'so-called' Armenian Genocide. It has the word 'genocide' in it to make the Armenians happy; and the words 'so-called' to make the Turks happy. Now that's a good diplomat...

]]> Comment on KASHMIR INTIFADA by jk News http://yalejournal.org/2012/02/kashmir-intifada/#comment-3520 jk News Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:12:01 +0000 http://yalejournal.org/?p=2643#comment-3520 Nice work done Excellent photography Nice work done Excellent photography

]]> Comment on Yes, You Can Say ‘Genocide,’ Mr. President. by Vahagn Tonoyan http://yalejournal.org/2012/03/yes-you-can-say-genocide-mr-president-3/#comment-3519 Vahagn Tonoyan Mon, 19 Mar 2012 06:21:32 +0000 http://yalejournal.org/?p=2730#comment-3519 Thank you Thank you

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