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Big K,
Your English is just fine, Big K, and thanks for clarifying. I guess we will have to agree to disagree. You postulate that an Anatolian Turk (not a city-boy from Istanbul) has a greater cultural affinity for an Afghan because of similar societal mores that exist in rural turkey. You also state that because of a distant Turkic heritage shared by maybe three of the variated ethinc groups, there is a kind of bonhommie between the Turks and the populace at large. If I have misinterpreted your thoughts, I appologise. I simply disagree. These things may gain you some headway with the Uzbeks, possibly the Hazara and maybe, just maybe some of the Tajiks. With the majority of the populace (Pathan) a Turk is just another foreigner without a beard.
As to the Turkish Army's suitability as peacekeapers in rough parts of the world, I'd say it has to do more with the quality of the Turkish soldiers, rather than any sort of cultural or religeous affinity. I'd say, yeah, the Turks do share common cultural and religeous heritage with the Albanians. It was, after all, the Ottoman Empire that conquered and converted Albania to Islam. As for the Turks being suitable on the ground in Lebanon? Well, if I remember, you guys weren't exactly given a warm send-off the last time you had soldiers in Arab lands. They have long memories down there. Somalia? Hell,I'd love to see Turkey give it a shot. Maybe Mehmet the Great, or Selim could bring order to the place, but again, Turks would just be another foreigner to be shot at.
Thanks,
Cato
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