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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 30-Jul-2011
30-Jul-11 World View -- Turkey's military commanders resign en masse

Web Log - July, 2011

30-Jul-11 World View -- Turkey's military commanders resign en masse

China confronts its weakness in anti-submarine warfare

This morning's key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com.

Mass resignation of Turkey's senior military commanders put government in crisis

U.S. Gen. David Petraeus (now the designated CIA chief) poses with Turkey's Chief of Staff, Gen. Isik Kosaner, on July 18, 2011 (AP)

U.S. Gen. David Petraeus (now the designated CIA chief) poses with Turkey's Chief of Staff, Gen. Isik Kosaner, on July 18, 2011 (AP)

Turkey's Chief of General Staff Isik Kosaner and the commanders of the air, navy and land forces have all resigned from their posts on Friday. The resignation of so many top commanders for the first time ever in Turkey signals a deep rift with the government, led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Justice and Development Party (AKP, pronounced "ahk party"). Since coming to power in 2002, the AKP and the army have had a very difficult relationship that has been continually deteriorating. Ever since Ataturk founded Turkey in 1924, Turkey has been an ostentatiously secular country, abandoning its Ottoman Empire role as leader of the Muslim world. The AKP has sought to restore Turkey's Muslim identity, leading to policy clashes with the army. The army was accused of a coup plot in 2003, and again in 2007. This has led to the arrest of hundreds of army officers, finally leading to Friday's mass resignation. Hurriyet (Ankara)

The event triggering the mass resignation occurred on Friday morning, when an Istanbul court accepted an indictment saying that some military generals ordered their subordinates to create anti-government websites and disseminate propaganda against the AKP, as well as some religious communities in Turkey. The suspects are being accused of “attempting to overthrow the government” and of “leading and being a member of an armed terror organization.” They are also accused of cataloging military officers according to their religious or political beliefs, possibly for future reference. Fourteen officers on active duty, four retired military officers and a civilian public servant were accused in the indictment. Zaman (Istanbul)

China confronts its weakness in anti-submarine warfare

As China continues to spend massively on military hardware, as it prepares for a near-future all-out war with the United States, Beijing is deploying its first aircraft carrier, and continues to upgrade its array of lethal anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs). However, Beijing is beginning to confront its weaknesses in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and looking to fill the gap with unconventional operations, such as unmanned underwater vehicles, or even refitting fishery vehicles with an ASW helicopter, ASW torpedoes and a towed array sonar. Jamestown

Assassination of Libya's rebel general may trigger tribal conflict

The body of Abdel Fatah Younes is carried through the streets of Benghazi on Friday (Getty)

The body of Abdel Fatah Younes is carried through the streets of Benghazi on Friday (Getty)

The assassination of Libyan rebel commander Abdel Fatah Younis, that we reported yesterday, is having broader ramifications. Libya's rebel Transitional National Council (TNC), which was just recognized by the UK as the only legitimate government of Libya, is composed of representatives of a number of tribes which have not always been friendly to one another. Younis is a member of the Obeidi tribe, and many of that tribe are now turning against the TNC. Independent

CIA: Russia implicated in attempted bombing of American embassy in Tblisi Georgia

Investigative reporting by Washington Times' Eli Lake has uncovered a secret CIA report that Russia's military in Abkhazia is behind a spate of bombings across Georgia in September, including a 22-Sep-2010 bombing attempt on the U.S. Embassy in Tblisi. The U.S. administration has kept the charges quiet in order not to upset its new "reset" policy, seeking closer ties with Russia. Russian officials have denied the charges and accused Georgia of trying to foment a propaganda campaign. They also accused the Washington Times of trying to trigger a second propaganda wave. Russian involvement was discovered when a military official offered to help with the casualties of an explosion that had never occurred, as the bomb had been defused. Washington Times 7/21, 7/26 and 7/28, and Jamestown

France advocates recognizing Israel as a Jewish state

Israel's diplomatic officials have reacted very positively to to a statement by France's Foreign Minister Alain Juppe saying that any solution to the Middle East conflict would need to recognize Israel as the nation-state for the Jewish people. The move seen as a signal to Palestinian Authority regarding language that the European Union might support in a UN resolution recognizing a Palestinian state. Jerusalem Post

Apple's cash reserves surpass US government operating balance

New figures from the U.S. Treasury Department indicate that the government has a total operating cash balance of $73.768 billion, less than Apple Inc.'s own cash reserves of $75.876 billion. Apple Insider

Nancy Pelosi just wants to save the world

Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi on July 28, 2011: "What we’re trying to do is save the world from the Republican budget. We’re trying to save life on this planet as we know it today." PJ Tatler

Nancy Pelosi on July 28, 2008: "I’m trying to save the planet; I’m trying to save the planet. I will not have this debate trivialized by their excuse for their failed policy. I respect the office that I hold. And when you win the election, you win the majority, and what is the power of the speaker? To set the agenda, the power of recognition, and I am not giving the gavel away to anyone." Politico

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 30-Jul-11 News -- Economists in shock over GDP report thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (30-Jul-2011) Permanent Link
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Current Web Log

Generational Dynamics Web Log for 30-Jul-2011 30-Jul-11 World View -- Turkey's military commanders resign en masse

Mass resignation of Turkey's senior military commanders put government in crisis

China confronts its weakness in anti-submarine warfare

Assassination of Libya's rebel general may trigger tribal conflict

CIA: Russia implicated in attempted bombing of American embassy in Tblisi Georgia

France advocates recognizing Israel as a Jewish state

Apple's cash reserves surpass US government operating balance

Nancy Pelosi just wants to save the world

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 30-Jul-2011
30-Jul-11 World View -- Turkey's military commanders resign en masse