Daily Alert Archives

The Return of the Ottomans

(Weekly Standard) Lee Smith - During the 500 years the Ottomans ruled the Arabic-speaking Middle East, they were hated throughout the region, not only by the regional minorities (Christians, Jews, Shia, etc.), but also by their Sunni Arab coreligionists. In the last few weeks, however, half a millennium's worth of history has been conveniently forgotten, perhaps even forgiven, as Turkey has emerged as a regional power and the guarantor of Arab interests - against Israel. Long before Arab nationalism identified Israel and the U.S. (and before that the European powers) as the enemy, it was the Ottomans who were called to account for everything that was wrong in the Arabic-speaking regions. In the end it all comes down to sectarianism. Turkey is Sunni, Iran is Shia, and despite the Ottoman Empire's long history of oppressing their imperial subjects, the Arabs prefer anything to the prospect of Persian hegemony. If it means casting their lot with the progeny of those who enslaved them for centuries - well there is great comfort in custom.
2010-06-23 08:36:28
Full Article