World Press on Iran, Turkey and the Caucasus (March 25, 2011)

“Obama and Libya: The professor’s war”, an article with such a headline was published today by The Washington Post. The author of the article, Charles Krauthammer, admits that in spite of “all the necessary paperwork” the operation in Libya is unpopular in the USA and many countries of NATO.  He underlines that even though there’s the UN resolution and Arab League’s support, the US Congress hasn’t yet passed a necessary document. The author pays special attention to the role of Turkey that is strictly against the intervention and reluctantly agreed to join after vehement debates.

The role of Turkey in the current debates in NATO is also discussed in the article published by The Los Angeles Times entitled “NATO to take over enforcing of Libyan no-fly zone”. The author says that Turkey that was previously calling for ending airstrikes against Libyan ground units has agreed to take part in the operation. He also admits that the fact that Turkey, France and the UK supported Hilary Clinton’s initiative, who suggested that NATO should assume all responsibility for the operation against Kadafi.

The New York Times published an article devoted to the problem of Islamism in the new Arab World. The author of the article believes that the recent changes in the Middle East Islamist groups are a rising force. Now, when dictators are overthrown, there’s no power that can stop Islamists. In the same he admits that these organizations have transformed. Now such organizations as the Muslim Brotherhood support democracy and religious freedoms. However the issue remains questionable, thinks the author.

The Guardian published an article devoted to the situation in Syria and Western countries’ relations with Iran. The article is headlined “The real test for the West” and the author believes that Iran is now what the USSR used to be, a major threat for the West.

Turkey’s Hurriyet published an article headlined “For a liberal, democratic and participatory constitution”. Turkish journalist insists on the necessity to elaborate a new liberal constitution that will secure human rights and political freedoms. He urges public organizations and individuals to support the struggle for a new democratic constitution.