re: #86 HappyWarrior

Shish! /

Seriously, Obama’s pursuing a new Ottoman Empire. What does that even mean?

From Gohmer’s fevered statements:

Gohmert was speaking on the House floor, where he accused the Obama administration of pulling out of Iraq after victory had been won, and allowing Iran to better influence Iraq. He said withdrawing means less American influence there, and said the results of that decision are already being seen in some of the attacks on U.S. diplomatic outposts in the Middle East and North Africa.

“This is the beginning… a massive beginning of a new Ottoman Empire that President Obama can take great credit for,” Gohmert said. “Thank you President Barack Hussein Obama. This will be quite a legacy for you.

“And I’m not one of those who says he’s not a Christian. All I know is that’s between him and God. But what I do know is he has helped jump start a new Ottoman Empire, and left our friend and ally Israel so vulnerable in this sea of radicalism that he has helped bring to the surface.”

Oh, so because we’ve got regime change underway and Iran’s trying to exploit the situation that suddenly means a new Ottoman Empire. Heck, Turkey’s in a better position to return to the Ottoman Empire - they’re not facing sanctions, they have a modern military, and they are the heirs to the original Ottoman Empire.

Fact is that the Middle East is quite factionalized and Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, and Iran are all racing to try and gain advantages over the other. No different than it has been for decades. We just have new players on the leadership in Egypt and upheaval is opening up a potential for new economic and sociopolitical improvements in the region.

But hardly a new or Second Ottoman Empire.

Someone better go and refresh their history and knowledge of the Middle East.