middle eastern powers

[WoW]

Im new to this forum and im not sure if there is a thread like this (i tried to find one ;p).
when i say middle east i mean all the countries from Egypt,Turkey (sometimes its not considered but in this case consider it),Iran,Syria,UAE,saudi arabia etc.
there are strong middle eastern powers such as Egypt,iran,Turkey, israel and saudi arabia but which one is considered the regional power (you have to count influence,economy,industrialisation and markets,military strengh and projecting power ie airforce mobility and also international relations.
please give reasons for your answers and even you can make a list of the 3 regional powers.
i would make a poll but i might miss out some countries so the mods or admins can add more countries if they want,
thanks :)

[WoW]

consider population aswell

[Moledet]

Bad idea........

[Infanteer Two Seven]

israel obviously :)

[Satellite Weapon]

I love Israel and all

but I'm going to vote for Ataturk's secularism, his great ideas will eventually shake the Middle East to its core

Secular = Freedom from religious rule

[saladin]

here is an article that may address some of your questions:

http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/link.asp?id=br8fb23547vtxetn



Turkish Studies
Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group
Issue: Volume 5, Number 3 / Autumn 2004
Pages: 25 - 45
URL: Linking Options
DOI: 10.1080/1468384042000270317

Turkey as regional hegemon--2014: strategic implications for the United States

EDWARD J. ERICKSON

Abstract:

The idea of regional hegemonic states arising in the unbalanced multi polar post-Cold War world is receiving increasing attention. Germany and China are states often mentioned in this context because they have the economic and demographic potential to dominate Europe and Eastern Asia.1 In the summer of 2000, Michael R. Hickok identified Turkey as a potential regional hegemon influencing the Middle East, the Caucasus, and the Balkans.2 Hickok rightly identified Turkey as a gathering hegemonic state because, in comparison with its neighbors, Turkey has the economic and demographic potential necessary to become an independent player in regional affairs. At the heart of Hickok's argument is an analysis of a rapidly changing Turkish national security policy, which suggests that Turkey is intentionally moving towards the role of "independent security actor."

This study updates Hickok's theories by examining the Turkish Defense White Paper 2000; Turkish foreign and military policy as illuminated by the 2003 Iraq crisis, and recent changes to the force structure and strategic posture of Turkey. The study will address Turkish defense policy and military strategy, military trends supporting the defense policy, economic and social trends supporting the defense policy, and forces tending towards instability. The study offers a projection of what Turkish military power might look like ten years from now--in 2014. Finally, it suggests strategic implications for the US based on these projections.






.....
Turkey is clearly moving towards becoming a regional power in the next
ten years. The question that must be framed is, “Will Turkey seek to
become a hegemonic state?” In answering this question, the most important
element is the status of the relationship between the US and the Republic
of Turkey. At the heart of this relationship is the issue of convergent or
divergent interests. If American and Turkish interests converge, there
would be no real need for Turkey to become a hegemonic state, because
mutual solutions would surely be sought. However, if these interests
become divergent, then the conditions for the genesis of a hegemonic state
will arise.
Opinions on the future direction of the relationship between Turkey and
the US are currently generally in agreement. Informed commentators
suggest that both countries will realize that they have a set of common
convergent security concerns that will align Turkish and American interests.
in the Middle East.

A renewed recognition of this alignment will then
result in a mutual willingness to work together. However, what if the security
interests of Turkey diverge from those of the US?The most compelling recent example of this occurred in February 2003
when the Turkish General Staff grew uneasy with American plans to liberate
Iraq. The specific concern of the TGS was that the Iraqi Kurds (the KDP
and PUK) would take advantage of the downfall of Saddam Hussein to
declare the formation of an independent Kurdistan. Despite repeated assurances
to the contrary from the Americans, and from the Kurds themselves,
the Turks moved 13 reinforcing brigades to the VI Corps border area.

These brigades included armored, mechanized, infantry, and commando
formations capable of deep penetration into Northern Iraq. Additionally, the
Turkish press reported the establishment of “red lines” or objective areas
around the key Iraqi cities of Mosul and Kirkuk in the event of a Turkish
incursion. At the present time, most of these forces remain in position on
or near the border and are prepared to seize approximately one-third of Iraq.
Would Turkey actually send its army into Northern Iraq? The answer
revolves around America’s ability to keep its promise of keeping the Kurds
in check. Should the Kurds actually attempt to form Kurdistan, there is
almost no question that the Turks would invade Northern Iraq. The real
question should not be whether America and Turkey have convergent or
divergent security interests. Of course, they have convergent interests—the
continued stability of Iraq. The real question is whether the US can make
good on its promises, both stated and implied, to remain in and to stabilize
Iraq.American success in Iraq is not assured and it is uncertain that the
Kurds, the Iranian backed Shias, or the Sunnis can be kept in check. The
consequences of an American failure reach far beyond the political destabilization
of the Middle East. One possible result of an American failure
and a premature withdrawal from Iraq might be a return by the US to the
reluctant strategic posture of the post-Vietnam years. It is not hard to imagine
a financially strained US pulling out of Iraq and American citizens
demanding a return to some form of non-interventionist foreign policy.
Combined with a long-simmering distrust of the US and the West, this is a
strategic imperative that would most likely drive Turkey into, in Hickok’s
words, the role of “independent security actor.”Several other scenarios open the door to Turkey becoming a hegemonic
state. The most obvious scenario is the dissolution of Iraq into severalsmaller states that would include either a Kurdistan or a Shiite Islamic
Republic. In this scenario, possible from the present onwards, Turkish
intervention on a massive scale is a certainty.
A less obvious scenario is the development of a nuclear-armed Iran that
possesses missile delivery systems. According to the present US administration,
Iran is on the path to this end. In the best case, continued American
support provides Turkey with a nuclear deterrent, as it did throughout the
Cold War. However, in a worsening case, Turkey would probably feel
compelled to field some sort of anti-ballistic missile system (more than
likely the US-Israeli
Arrow
system). In the worst case, especially if the
Americans pull out of Iraq, Turkey might feel compelled to develop its own
deterrent nuclear capability.

Increasing terrorism against Turkey caused by Islamic fundamentalism
might also tip the Turks towards becoming a hegemonic state. Turkey is,
after all, a staunchly secular state that is detested by some of its neighbors
and could become a magnet for terrorist attacks. The Turkish public, for
example, will expect a response to the heavy terrorist attacks in Istanbul in
November 2003. If these attacks originated in neighboring countries that
are unable, or unwilling, to take appropriate action, the Turks might feel
compelled to actively intervene or take action (in effect validating the
tenets of the Defense White Paper).
It is evident that the Turks do not want to be sidelined by the US or the
West when it comes to their own national security concerns. Neither do
they want to be hamstrung by easily severed logistics. Clearly they want
to be, and have been thinking about becoming, important players in
regional politics, and their public national security policy says as much.
They have become involved at every opportunity in multi-national military
interventions. They have shown a willingness to defy the US. They
have industrial and procurement plans aimed at strategic autonomy. To
use an overworked phrase, “It’s not a question of
if, it’s a question of when.”

In the next ten years Turkey will have a mature military force structure
capable of rapid and sustained intervention in the region. Turkey’s economy
will be stronger and its robust industrial base will be self-sufficient
enough to compensate for western embargoes. The Turkish infrastructure
will accommodate the shifting of military forces to distant borders and will
permit the support of those forces. The mismatch identified by Hickok
between national security policy and military capability will have been
eliminated. By 2014, it would only be a very short step for Turkey to
become a regional hegemon.


STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES
The US must recognize that Turkey is increasingly becoming an “independentsecurity actor.” The simple equation of $ = Cooperation no longer applies in Turkish–American relations and the US can no longer count on buying cooperation. America must understand (up front and in every case) what the Turks really want rather than what Americans believe they might want based on past practices.
There will be a decreasing American ability to secure Turkish cooperation
for operations that do not directly serve Turkish interests. This has
already begun and will surely continue. This may manifest itself in a reluctance to approve American basing requests, over-flight requests, and
support requests. It might also result in the termination of basing rights
currently enjoyed by the United States.
There will be an increasing risk of unilateral Turkish military or
economic interventions in an unstable region that is vital to American security interests. These interventions may diverge from American interests or,
in the worst case, place Turks against Americans in a “blue-on-blue”
scenario. A Turkish invasion of Northern Iraq is an example of this risk.
It is likely that the cost of doing business with the Turks will increase.
As the logistical leverage that the US enjoys over Turkey erodes, the Turks
will take advantage of their position. This may be financial, but it may
include the attachment of specific conditions to American operations. In
operations of convergent national interest, such conditions will surely
contain Turkish demands to be included in decisions and command
arrangements.
Turkey may be willing to apply pressure against the US or Europe
through its veto in the NATO Alliance. Turkey, for example, could block
NATO enlargement and its associated infrastructure projects easily, in
response to its failure to gain accession to the EU. While the consequences
may be severe (or cause a backlash), Turkey has routinely used this tactic
to block NATO projects and expenditures in Greece.
There may be a proliferation of nuclear or other WMD should Turkey
feel that the American or NATO deterrent has become hollow. Turkey
enjoys excellent relations with Israel and with Pakistan, both of which possess nuclear weapons. There is no question that, over time, Turkey
could develop such a capability. Although perhaps unlikely, the idea that
Turkey might feel compelled to develop such weapons should not be
discounted.

......

CONCLUSION
Demonstrably, Turkey is preparing the capability to become a regional
hegemon. Whether it does or not, is, in many ways, up to the US. American
withdrawal from the Middle East, an American failure to honor assurances,
the evolution of Iran as a nuclear state, the dissolution of Iraq as a national
state, and an increase in terrorism or Islamic fundamentalism are all potential
triggers for Turkey’s ascension to power. There are of course dozens of
other possible triggers that might make the Turks turn toward regional hegemony.
The question that Americans must ask themselves is, “Is it in our best
interests for Turkey to become a regional hegemon by 2014?” If the answer
is no, then the US needs a strategy to prevent this from happening.

[LaoSexMachine]

I love Israel and all

but I'm going to vote for Ataturk's secularism, his great ideas will eventually shake the Middle East to its core

Secular = Freedom from religious rule


The people who are in power in Turkey are trying to undermine Ataturk's ideas.

[Sanat-e-naft]

The dynamics of the Middle East are shifting. If Iran really does take delivery on new equipment such as SU-30’s and more refueling tankers etc. then they may well become a regional power. However, if Iran’s air force becomes a credible threat to Israel it is likely that the US will give them something to trump Iran like the F-35 or 22. I think that it may be premature to determine who the regional power is. Things in the Middle East are shifting. Israel is undeniably the current regional power, with nukes and a likely second strike capability (no thanks to Germany). In my humble opinion the best thing that could happen is for Iran to realize that of all the states in the Middle East it has the most in common with Israel. The people of Iran are closer to Israeli’s than Saudis or Syrians in their culture etc. Lets not forget Iran existed long before Islam, and has a long history of being a friend to the Jewish people (i.e. Darius rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem with Iranian tax money and freed the tribes of Israel which had been held in bondage in Babylon). Stop fighting it and start working together. Obviously this is hoping against hope, it is not in the interest of Iran or Israel (their governments) to get along, because then who is the enemy, who is the great Satan? Or on the converse, who is the new Hitler-like threat to the existence of Jews?

[daily666]

Maybe militarily Israel would be best but I voted Turkey. It's the most influential in the region and has relation with all the main players there.


The dynamics of the Middle East are shifting. If Iran really does take delivery on new equipment such as SU-30’s and more refueling tankers etc. then they may well become a regional power. However, if Iran’s air force becomes a credible threat to Israel it is likely that the US will give them something to trump Iran like the F-35 or 22. I think that it may be premature to determine who the regional power is. Things in the Middle East are shifting. Israel is undeniably the current regional power, with nukes and a likely second strike capability (no thanks to Germany). In my humble opinion the best thing that could happen is for Iran to realize that of all the states in the Middle East it has the most in common with Israel. The people of Iran are closer to Israeli’s than Saudis or Syrians in their culture etc. Lets not forget Iran existed long before Islam, and has a long history of being a friend to the Jewish people (i.e. Darius rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem with Iranian tax money and freed the tribes of Israel which had been held in bondage in Babylon). Stop fighting it and start working together. Obviously this is hoping against hope, it is not in the interest of Iran or Israel (their governments) to get along, because then who is the enemy, who is the great Satan? Or on the converse, who is the new Hitler-like threat to the existence of Jews?

I'd say it's Iran fighting everyone else. Or mainly parts of it's ruling bodies (didn't mean the people of Iran).

[Snoshi]

Sanat. Israel will get F-35's. The deliveries will start 2014

[saladin]

Although Israel has a very powerful military, it is also the most vulnerable in my opinion. Landwise, it is a very small state and IF iran has the nukes, it could be totally destroyed. Not that I'm claiming Israil could not do the otherwise. It is said to have at least 200 nuclear warheads, but it would be harder to destroy other nations in an unconventional war (in fact, probably that many nukes would create a global catastrophe).

Also, Israel's influence on other matters would be minimum.

Military-wise, I think SA is a joke even though they have a very high-tech arsenal, but politically they have influence (thanks to their money, their location in islamic heartland and their influence on religious fanatics in other countries). Egypt, in my opinion, would like to have a political power but their attempts failed on most cases in the past. Iran's influence, I would say, is mostly in Iraq.

Economically, no one doubts SA has the most power thanks to the oil.

I leave Turkey out of discussion as I would be biased. I would prefer more cultural and economical influence in the region but still we can see some effects in the region (meeting of Pakistani and Israili diplomats in Turkey, influence in Iraq, effect on Egypt-Greek cyprus' drilling agreement, syria's ferry route to cyprus, election of a turkish diplomat as the head of islam conference, providing military tools to the regional states, training their personel and maintaining and modernizing their hardware, new energy routes as well as trade routes passing through Turkey etc. etc. etc.).

[IsraDani]

saudi arabia and iran are the two nations that can influence more the middle eastern assets now.(think at iraq,lebanon,syria,palestinian authority).

[Ariha]

Where´s the "Lebanon" option? I would vote them blindly.

In the meantime, and for a short period of time, it´s Turkey.

[WoW]

well let me add more things ;)
not in any order

Israel- has the best airforce in the middle east with good electronic warfare capabilities.
good tanks M4s and the best in technology in the middle east plus they got US backing. israel is the best in military standards they have a little population and they have many problems (palestinians). there economy is growing but they are lower then the other countries such as iran,saudi arabia and turkey.

Turkey- one of the best officers in the world with a very strict military. Airforce 2nd strongest in the middle east (220 F16s all upgraded and being upgraded to CCIP) turkey recievign new electronic warfare technology aswell as its new AEW, AWACS and some air to air refuellign capabilities.
economy growing allot which is based on agricuture, industry and others plus they have one of the biggest populations in the middle east (after egypt). Navy very good compared to others or the rest and ofcourse its in NATO. turkey is gettign F35s

Egypt- allot of abrams :) F16s mirages and soem missiles and they have the biggest population in the middle east with a very capable army.
there economy is growing but i dont know much about egypt so you may add more.

Iran- well the mullah regime hurt it so much there airforce is old with a estimated 20-40 F14As operationable and there upgrading there F5s tryign to make new planes.
they are making there new tanks but know one knows about them (some say they are T72 and T55 mixtures.
there population is big (3rd biggest in the middle east) and they have more then 12 million basij in reserves (only usefull in a defensiev war) there navy is made out of small missile boats. there soldiers are not that well equiped anyway there economy is the biggest in the middle east (duie to oil prices rising) but there weakness is that 80% of there economy is based on oil and they still import oil related good. you can add more to this.

saudi arabia- well dotn know much but they are gettign eurofighters and they have some F15s but add more

[Ulytau]

The people who are in power in Turkey are trying to undermine Ataturk's ideas.


For making revolution first you need to have laws & security forces..

About laws we know very well about how they educate about security forces especially before joinin war academies they checkin history of your family..

We know very well about who have problem with Atatürk ideas also funny thing their words are totally same with;

Who have totally racist ideas,terror ideas and who tryin to use religion for their agenda..

Totally lookin like same with our history..

If they dreamin about this also a man from our history tried only can meet with rope sad but true..

[IDF_TANKER]

If being a regional power means ability to influence the regional politics, I would say for now Iran is definitely the regional superpower. Iran has a crucial influence in the most volatile and important place in ME - Iraq. It has ability to influence and destabilize another important regional power - Israel (through Hezbollah). In general Iranian influence forms large and important geoplotical formation called Shia crescent - Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon through the local Shia population (Alawis in Syria's case). If Americans lose Iraq to Iranians and there will be no regime change in Iran (plus the nuclear capabilities), the Iran will be definetly one and the only regional superpower.

Israel with all the respect is a small country, with military designed for short wars with its immidiate neighbors. We have strongest economy in ME(at least in relative terms), but we do not possess startegic natural resources like Iran, Iraq or Saudia(other Gulf kingdoms) do.

Turkey is another candidate, if only because of its shear size, economic and military power.

[umutferhat]

Maybe militarily Israel would be best but I voted Turkey. It's the most influential in the region and has relation with all the main players there.
Yes u are right !

[WoW]

Where´s the "Lebanon" option? I would vote them blindly.

In the meantime, and for a short period of time, it´s Turkey.
well lebanon was never considered a regional power well they couldnt even defend them selves against israel which the president kept saying his soldiers are ready but it was all a bluff.

well turkey is only getting stronger not weaker soem poeple say by 2050 Turkey is going to have a trillion dollar economy and its going to be in the top 10 best economies. turkey has allot of influence in central asia aswell as gettign more friends in eastern europe. anyway i think iran is gettign stronger but they rely on there shahabs to much and they need a better airforce then that.
what happens when oil starts to run out? what would happen to saudi arabia and iran? saudi arabia would be in deep trouble they need to start gaining more industries and iran would be in trouble since they are on sanctions :(.

[Ariha]

well lebanon was never considered a regional power well they couldnt even defend them selves against israel which the president kept saying his soldiers are ready but it was all a bluff.

well turkey is only getting stronger not weaker soem poeple say by 2050 Turkey is going to have a trillion dollar economy and its going to be in the top 10 best economies. turkey has allot of influence in central asia aswell as gettign more friends in eastern europe. anyway i think iran is gettign stronger but they rely on there shahabs to much and they need a better airforce then that.
what happens when oil starts to run out? what would happen to saudi arabia and iran? saudi arabia would be in deep trouble they need to start gaining more industries and iran would be in trouble since they are on sanctions :(.

I was kidding about Lebanon, in the whole scenery of Middle East and its failed/fake nation-states, Lebanon is the most failed one since not even its people have respect fot their country or themselves.

As for Turkey, there´s a merciless confrontation beetween the secular and the muslum arabist sector. The last one will emerge victorious sooner or later, and all the power and wealth accumulated will not last for long. As Ataturk once said "religion is the cancer of the state". Islam will waste Turkey to the bones.

No need even to talk about the arab countries, their rulers don´t care about nothing else than their wellbeing. Oil and petrodollars are their private wealth, well invested in the West under personal accounts, the day the rulers will loose the power they will fly to the West and the local people will find themselves again in the sand age.

[umutferhat]

As for Turkey, there´s a merciless confrontation beetween the secular and the muslum arabist sector. The last one will emerge victorious sooner or later, and all the power and wealth accumulated will not last for long. As Ataturk once said "religion is the cancer of the state". Islam will waste Turkey to the bones.
Are u sure??????

[WoW]

btw i this poll is not just on military lol think of
international relation, if the country needs help would they get the best help eg. Israel has the US for backing and Turkey has NATO
influence, well people say iran can use hezbollah but dont forget iran cannot control hezbollah it can only support it give it weopens etc.
iran has influence in hezbollah and in iraq (militia's).
Turkey has allot of influence hell they provide electricity to northern iraq :P they can put allot of pressure just liek they put pressure on syria when they where supporting PKK all the turkish army did was move 10 thousand troups to the borderr and they made the PKK leader go out of there territory.
Turkey talks to both Israel and to the palestinians and the only real friendly country to israel is turkey.
power projection, well israel has the best airforce to project its power, actually for power projection you need a good navy good airforce and good army mobility.
economy well the best economy makes all the top things possible :)

[Zombie Squad]

Going into a more technological world, Israel is the state that will use those advantages more than the other countries.

[Ariha]

Are u sure??????

If they attain the kind of power they are seeking? Wait and see.

While at it, take a look to countries where the Sharia is the legal source...

Btw, Ataturks quote was referring to Islam...

[WoW]

As for Turkey, there´s a merciless confrontation beetween the secular and the muslum arabist sector. The last one will emerge victorious sooner or later, and all the power and wealth accumulated will not last for long. As Ataturk once said "religion is the cancer of the state". Islam will waste Turkey to the bones.

No need even to talk about the arab countries, their rulers don´t care about nothing else than their wellbeing. Oil and petrodollars are their private wealth, well invested in the West under personal accounts, the day the rulers will loose the power they will fly to the West and the local people will find themselves again in the sand age.[/quote]
i understand what your saying but as you can see AKP is gettign banned soon :) i think religion should not be put into a state i think the people can be religious but the country doesnt have to be because it only hurts its interests. turkey has had the worst leaders posible after ataturk and nearly all the middle eastern nations (maybe all) had bad leaders :(

[Ulytau]

About Atatürks view to religion we can say like a Turk cause he seen many thing when he fightin at middle east or at Anatolia..

He had problem with who tryin to use religion for their own agenda at our Freedom War we seen about this too..

When some Istanbul government supporters were saying enemy armies are the Caliph army and they were tryin to show Ankara Government army as an infidel army..When enemy armies reach to villages most of our people seen truth..

Problem is not our religion also you guys can find many quotes about this from Atatürk..

Also he had serious respect to Mevlana,Pir Sultan Abdal and many important people about religion in Anatolia..

Also he paid to Elmalili Hamdi Yazir Hodja for writin commentary of Holy Qu'ran from his own money..

[AS50]

If they attain the kind of power they are seeking? Wait and see.

While at it, take a look to countries where the Sharia is the legal source...

Btw, Ataturks quote was referring to Islam...

i vote with you! there is a leak if you think about it going down toward turky. i must admit watching them carefully that they are the last stand BEFORE israel as the region protection from radical relegion regime.
when they fall, than its only isreal, and all the rest will go back to stone age...

http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1322.htm

watch this interview , decide for your self how SHARIA looks

[WoW]

israel has the military power with technology and so on so allot of people voted for iran soem one care to explain more???

[WoW]

i can never live in turkey if it was sharia law :(

[Ariha]

turkey has had the worst leaders posible after ataturk and nearly all the middle eastern nations (maybe all) had bad leaders :(

I agree, in my opinion the secular Turkey is doomed because their leaders are and has been simply corrupt. It is corruption what enabled the rise of the AKP, and even if it is banned, as were all the previous islamic parties, they will return and return. And each time they will be able to penetrate the institutions so seriouly (religion is the cancer of the state) that they will crumble sooner or later. In this round they had attained the Presidency, they managed to infiltrate muslum militants in the army, and impose the headscarf in the Universities..

May G-d give Turkey another Ataturk.

[Ulytau]

i vote with you! there is a leak if you think about it going down toward turky. i must admit watching them carefully that they are the last stand BEFORE israel as the region protection from radical relegion regime.
when they fall, than its only isreal, and all the rest will go back to stone age...

http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1322.htm

watch this interview , decide for your self how SHARIA looks

Vahabis..

Also we know very well about what they did to holy places in Saudi Arabia.. :fork:

About leadership i hope Deniz Baykal interest to go off or something from CHP..

After election Suleyman Demirel said to Deniz Baykal you musnt resign from CHP

My favorite leaders will be Osman Pamukoglu ''Ex General and he was the best of best honestly his ideas and carisma like Atatürk''

Or Güldal Mumcu ''CHPs Izmir Deputy also wife of Ugur Mumcu ''Ugur Mumcu got killed from terrorists when Police check about and when they did last operation they found a terrorist organization which supported from some groups in Iran''

A Cartoon after Suleyman Demirels comment from a Turkish newspaper;

rofl

http://www.internethaber.com/images/other/haber.20070727094909.jpg

[umutferhat]

Sharia ??? Do u even think that this regime will come sooner or later to Turkey?I agree that Turkey had lots of bad political images but never done a suicidal mission as picking sharia regime.Akp knows that sharia regime will not work in Turkey.They may have islamic reference but not soo stupid.Even in the last days of ottoman empire shaira laws was abandoned,nearly 100 years we even dont mention that regime.

[IraGlacialis]

No need even to talk about the arab countries, their rulers don´t care about nothing else than their wellbeing. Oil and petrodollars are their private wealth, well invested in the West under personal accounts, the day the rulers will loose the power they will fly to the West and the local people will find themselves again in the sand age.What about Jordan? The rule there seems pretty fair.
Or is the Levant not considered Arab?

[Hellfish]

I voted Saudi Arabia. Yeah, they're military is pretty benign, but their exportation of wahabism, population, and petro-influence make them pretty powerful.

I don't think there's any one great regional power.

[WoW]

I agree, in my opinion the secular Turkey is doomed because their leaders are and has been simply corrupt. It is corruption what enabled the rise of the AKP, and even if it is banned, as were all the previous islamic parties, they will return and return. And each time they will be able to penetrate the institutions so seriouly (religion is the cancer of the state) that they will crumble sooner or later. In this round they had attained the Presidency, they managed to infiltrate muslum militants in the army, and impose the headscarf in the Universities..

May G-d give Turkey another Ataturk.
yeh i hope we get a good leader and all the other middle eastern countries get good leaders :)

[Flamming_Python]

IMHO the contest would be between Iran, Israel and Turkey. Other nations have their own advantages, but aren't as big players. My vote is for Iran.

It is true that Israel has a powerful & well-trained air force, one of the most effective counter-insurgency ground forces in the world (at least in protecting the lives of its own soldiers), very good technology and nuclear weapons. However, Israel is completely tied to America, and depends on it's bigger brother for Military, Economy and Political aspects. Without America, it is a question of how long Israel would be able to survive on its own, at least with the relative prosperity the country enjoys now. Israel has little independent political influence with its neighbors, nor in the majority-Muslim middle-eastern region as a whole.

Turkey has huge armed forces, relatively effective against insurgency as well, as evidenced by their experience of fighting the PKK and other Kurdish insurgents. Turkey's military is however mostly a huge conventional force, and it is this which would allow it to prevail over any other adversary in the region, including Iran and Israel (unless we put Nukes into the equation). As mentioned though, Turkey has no nuclear weapons, although it's conventional forces are more than enough to fend off any non-nuclear equipped adversary in the region. Turkey has the biggest economy in the Middle East (actually I don't know for sure), and a large amount of political influence. However, it suffers from similar afflictions as Israel to some extent. Namely, although Turkey has the capability to wield a large amount of political influence on its own, in practice its hands are often tied due to its close relationship with America. Attempting to make truly independent decisions may bring it into conflict with American interests, a situation both the Turks and Americans will likely be desperate to avoid. Turkey's reputation among the masses in the Middle East also suffers because of its own close association with America.

Iran doesn't have the conventional military might, or economy of Turkey, nor the high-training standards, technology and nuclear weapons of Israel. However, what it does have is influence, not to mention humongous reserves of oil & gas. Iran is not tied to anyone, it is a truly independent power which serves it's own, and exclusively its own interests, irrespective of whom it brings Iran into conflict with. It follows, at least formally, a radical ideology which has much sympathy and support for across the entire middle east, much of which can be explained by the fact that it is not seen to be bowing to American interests or pressure, something that is regarded with deep suspicion across the Middle East as a whole, even in many Sunni-majority areas, disillusioned as they are with Saudi co-operation with the USA. Iran has a strategic position located between 2 warzones, and coupled with it's very substantial hydro-carbon resources, this gives it a huge leverage over the USA and it's allies, able to threaten to wreck havoc in US operations in neighboring lands, unless Iran is given what it asks for. Coupled with substantial domestic support, it's policies of developing it's own arms industry, and gaining technologies from Russia and China, it is a country whose influence and power can be expected only to grow over the next decade or 2. A war in Israel, or a war in Turkey would not wreck nearly as much havoc in the entire Middle East as a war in Iran. America recognizes this, and for this reason, the country is more secure than it might otherwise appear to be.

[tanks_alot]

israel has the military power with technology and so on so allot of people voted for iran soem one care to explain more???

Already been said, Israel is at the top of the food chain in regards to the military and technology, but we have little influence over our neighbours, since we are aliens here,while Iran is acting like the puppet master all over the Middle East. they are also developing fast in regards to weapons and technology, although still far behind. when you add it to size of Iran, how nationalistic the Iranians are, their ability to sustain losses and their nuclear aspirations (which is actualy helping in slightly pushing the fearful Gulf states our way), then my vote goes to Iran.

There is more to being a power than just strength and technology.

[umutferhat]

Oil and Gas...
What will happen when they consumed all of this ???They cant last long...

[WoW]

well Jordan is not considered as a regional power but i dont know that much about them but turkey is upgrading there F16s anyway i dont think they can challenge saudi arabia or israel

[Flamming_Python]

I agree, in my opinion the secular Turkey is doomed because their leaders are and has been simply corrupt. It is corruption what enabled the rise of the AKP, and even if it is banned, as were all the previous islamic parties, they will return and return. And each time they will be able to penetrate the institutions so seriouly (religion is the cancer of the state) that they will crumble sooner or later. In this round they had attained the Presidency, they managed to infiltrate muslum militants in the army, and impose the headscarf in the Universities..

May G-d give Turkey another Ataturk.

I doubt it. Turkic nations have always had a greater affinity for the ideas of nationalism, i.e. a powerful nation state based on cultural identity, rather than religion, i.e. a politicial entity based on religious identity. Such nations, through one reason or the other have always been more secular than their Arabic neighbors ever since the days of the Ottoman empire.

We take a look at the most secular majority-muslim nations today, they are almost all Turkic-speaking: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan (although the last 2 have had some extremism over the last 2 decades). These are all nation states fundamentally based on the ideas of secularism, regardless of whether they got to this stage through the collapse of a religious empire which gradually ceased to be all that religious (i.e. Turkey), or through the atheistic model of the USSR.

[AS50]

i really prey for turky. nice place and fine pepole.
if iran will ever get its hands on turky it will be a terrible lost for the whole civilized world. this is why iran may be superpower, but turky has much more to loos. so i think that eventually if it will come to that, turky will stand on her rear feet , and then it will be very intresting to see who is the biggest

[WoW]

yes when oil is gone 80% of iranians export economy would colapse :( so would saudi arabias but saudi would have some help wont it by the US?
yes going to war with iran would cause allot of havoc it would be a last straw for some muslims but dont forget if they are attacked (air striked) they rely on there shahabs well if the US attacked ofc because they dont have the air power or technology to counter strike but if israel attacks then they can send a few shahabs and maybe make hezbollah attack them to (hezbollah is not controlled by iran it is only influenced and supplied by it)

[One?]

Where´s the "Lebanon" option? I would vote them blindly.

In the meantime, and for a short period of time, it´s Turkey.

I don't know if you're joking or not.

But if lebanon breaks down the entire middle east will go up in flames...

[WoW]

iran is tryign to make everything it needs (weopons and cars etc.) and there major export is petrol which is there weakness (when it runs out its gonna be hard) while egypt and turkey are making there economy based on industry (turkey is in the G20), tourism is gettign good aswell for both countries although they dont rely on them

[WoW]

''I don't know if you're joking or not.

But if lebanon breaks down the entire middle east will go up in flames''
how is that? didnt israel nearly destroy that country :( only hezbollah retaliated to hezbollah while the government troops just bluffed? how would the whole middle east go up in flames? i can understand if you said iran but lebnanan? why?

[WoW]

i think egypt is very under-estimated :(

[AS50]

I don't know if you're joking or not.

But if lebanon breaks down the entire middle east will go up in flames...

as it looks now, lebanon is an emty shell and already is theoritically gone.(sadly its beutifull country)
it cant be otherwise, since the palestinians create lots of damadge, and the HEZ on their side with syria are coocking the food, i am so sorry to see leb going down the drain cause of fanatics..

[WoW]

egypt has abrams,F16s an alright navy and alright missiles?

[WoW]

they also have a very good trained paratroopign force :)

[IraGlacialis]

well Jordan is not considered as a regional power but i dont know that much about them but turkey is upgrading there F16s anyway i dont think they can challenge saudi arabia or israel
Wouldn't say that it is powerful compared to SA, Israel, or Iran.
However, it is one of the biggest mediators in the region, especially between Israel and Palestine (a status that has got it attacked quite often).
Also I would say that it is the only truly moderate Muslim country in the Mideast.

[WoW]

before iraq was under sanctions wasnt iraq the main rival of iran?

[WoW]

what about UAE people? well they do have some F16 block 60 but i dont think that would be much they are so small but they did create a beutiful country :) they rely on oil and tourism but they are not a regional power welll i shouldnt of put them there lol

[WoW]

come on people militarily egypt is stronger then iran (on paper) and they too have abit of influence with a non oil growing economy while they are (maybe) the regional power in africa (if im not mistaken)?

[bionic]

I voted for oil because at the moment it fuels my car and alot of other good things are made of oil. Maybe i reconsider my vote if the pipes run dryp-) but when this day comes i think we have much more problems then voting for eastern powers.

[AS50]

egypt has abrams,F16s an alright navy and alright missiles?.

well , in order to be main power, its not about shier hardware or manware.. its stability and future stability.
egypt is on the edge of economical crise (bread (pita) prices)
and flower is low, if you add the water problems, then egypt looks on papre promissing, but actually its busy with major problems now.
the muslim brotherhoods are also waiting their turn.
so let see whats furture brings

[M. chivers]

I don't think there's a regional power
politicly
Iran has it influence but its mainly on terror orgeniztions, besides syria they can't realy force anyone to anything+Iran isn't in the middle east if were on it
turkey is a big country but also lack influence, they have a great relationship with Israel (well the military not the people) but they don't call the shots in the middle east they don't even sit in on the important meeting on the important issues
SA is the world oil hub but with all that their influence is still very limited on their neighbors
Egypt probably the biggest and most influencal arab country in the area and the main partner to Israel in keeping the area peaceful
Israel one would say egypt syria and the others won't do what Israel says (ofc they won't) but they will damm right take it into consideration and they would prefer not to upset them
UAE how are they connected ?
military
Iran- mainly outdated, they arm all the small orgeniztions but I won't realy rate them when it comes to an all out war+they are pretty far off from the main area of events so they can't realy take in anyway
turkey- they have a fairly big military but nothing to do with it , a decent airforce and fairly good army and navy when compared to their neighbors
SA- they like buying expancive toys but I don't think their military is that operational, having eurofighter F15S and abrams is very nice and all but I don't see how their army can operate it seems like a private toy collection for their royal family, I won't say anyone in the region are afraid of them military wise
Egypt- second best and largest air force in the region a strong army and a strong navy the strongest arab nation, the only country in the region that is able to put in a real fight to Israel
Israel- strongest air force highst quality land forces and a navy who does the job, technologiclly advanced and the only one holding nuclear weapons and able to hit every spot in the region in need, I would say that military wise besides egypt no one in the region can realy battle them (not syria nor SA and jordan is kinda of a quite neighbor and our ally)
economy
Iran- hold the world by the balls when it comes to oil, so it seems. we all saw what the US does when the oil reserves are at risk. they won't dare to shut the tab on the world oil supply
Turkey- strong economy that doesn't depend on oil
SA- live on oil but again they won't mess with the worlds oil stock
egypt- I won't rate them as a rich country (you can take a walk in egypt and see how the people live)
Israel- the only western economy in the region strong high tech and other buisness but no oil


so I won't tag anyone as a regional superpower but I would rate egypt and Israel as the strong 2 that call the shots

[WoW]

well nearly every country in the middle east has water problems (turkey had a major draut) and the main rivers which go to syria and iraq pass turkey and that created tension between turkey and syria some time ago (we made danms) plus dotn turkey send water to israel?.
turkey doesnt look that stable this year due to the new government and iran is havign soem problems with the outside world (big problems) and israel is havign problems with the palestinians so it looks liek all of the regional powers have great problems lol

[WoW]

true turkey doesnt call the shots in the middle east (arab countries dotn like them that much) and turkey is interested more in the west so they dont even consider them selves in the middle east just liek i mentioned before.
militarilly i think you need to rethink just look turkey has a very impressive which is considered best in the region (israel doesnt concentrate on its navy) and how can you say israelis does the joB? (navy)so the others dont? that is biased lol . Airforce you have it wrong aswell because as far as i know turkey has a better airforce then egypt including in electronic warfare and F16 block 50s.
ground forces remember turkish troops have to be NATO standard and have to have NATO standard equipment and doesnt israeli pilots train in turkey because they need a bigger land area to train in? while turkish pilots train there everyday?
anyway economically you are right
politically you have to know that iran doesnt have good international relations and you cant rely on terrorist groups or militia's. anyway your saying israel has a western economy and turkey doesnt? how? turkey is in the G20

[WoW]

btw turkey has the largest F16 fleet in the world after the US and all of them are being upgraded to the CCIP block 50 standard lol

[WoW]

turkey makes the F16s for turkey :P
46 of the F-16C/D are license built by TUSAS of Turkey.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_Air_Force

[Snoshi]

btw turkey has the largest F16 fleet in the world after the US and all of them are being upgraded to the CCIP block 50 standard lol

Not true. Israel have more F-16's then Turkey.

[Abbadon the Despoiler]

I lol............

[RomanS]

The one that created all the mess

Saudis


Even US wont mess with them

p-)

[WoW]

yeh US wont mess with them because they hold all the OIL ;) but other then that i dont think they are taken seriously even though they have a good defence force it doesnt mean they can be comanded and used effectively due to them being ''toys'' of the king :P
yeh israel has the 2nd largest F16 fleet i forgot about the F16As (i considered them not being used anymore)

[saladin]

Snoshi is correct. Turkish F-16 fleet was the second largest for some time but not anymore. Some media people still think so and refer it as such in their articles. But if you say the largest in Europe, that would be correct.




Egypt probably the biggest and most influential arab country in the area and the main partner to Israel in keeping the area peaceful

Can you list the recent Egyptian political achievements?



Egypt- second best and largest air force in the region


hmm, interesting observation. Could you back it up with the facts?

[WoW]

well israel and turkey was considered the 2 most strongest in the region especially in military training quality and especially in the airforce arena

[kahn267]

I saw it as the power influencing the ME
and therefore i voted Iran as they are fueling the war in Iraq with insurgents, feeding Syria and Hezbollah with weapons and training as well as Hamas. They also threaten the US that if they go to war theyll cut off the Gulf of Oman which 2/3rds world oil spills out of. They also are the reason for the spread of Shiyite fundamentalism across the ME which sure makes the big rich Saudi Arabia shake in their Sunni boots

[gaijinsamurai]

I would say that right now, there is no ONE regional power in the ME. Iran would like to be, but the fact that they're not Arab nor predominantly Sunni limits their influence with their neghbors. Turkey has a strong army and considerable potential, but that is also limited, due to the fact that they are also non-Arab. Also, the history of Ottoman rule in the Middle East has left a lot of it's neighbors with a dislike of the Turks. Saudi Arabia has oil and religious clout as the home of Mecca and Medina and birthplace of Islam, but they have their own problems to deal with. Also, if you ask the average Arab on the street, they'll likely list the Saudis and Kuwaits as the Arabs they like the least.
When Nasser ruled Egypt, there was a short-lived union with Syria. If something like that were to reoccur and be sustainable (which is highly unlikely), they'd have enormous potential. It's no secret that the kings and emirs were scared sh!tless of Nasser, as they were of Sadaam Hussein and others who espoused Arab nationalism.

[Pars]

Iran has the potential, with its recourseful young population, but is kept back from its potential because of a regressive regime. I voted Israel, the only country with a capacity to really f**k other countries in the region up.

[CPL Trevoga]

I voted for Turks. They by far biggest military in Europe and Middle East.

[gaijinsamurai]

I'm curious as to why United Arab Emirates was a choice in the poll, and Syria wasn't. Sure, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are important, and they have a lot of oil and business development, but Syria has often been the leader of the secular, "stand up to Israel and the West" movement, and has had their hand in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as Lebanon.

[IraGlacialis]

I would say that the UAE is the most important on the corporate level.
Especially since they are weaning themselves off oil dependency already.

[gaijinsamurai]

I think that in five to ten years, the UAE could be a regional power. They are wise to diversify.

[Satellite Weapon]

Iran.



Damn, I hoped that ain't true

That's the last thing the Middle East needs


UAE

IMO like the Saudis they are overly obsessed with wealth, and have no clue about looking after their own culture or security. The Spanish got obsessed with gold and look how their Empire collapsed. The Swiss were rich in the 1920s not long before they were forced to take it up the tail pipe from Hitler.

[SBL]

IMO like the Saudis they are overly obsessed with wealth, and have no clue about looking after their own culture or security. The Spanish got obsessed with gold and look how their Empire collapsed. The Swiss were rich in the 1920s not long before they were forced to take it up the tail pipe from Hitler.

But you can't exactly deny that they made the world go 'round when their pockets were lined.

[M. chivers]

Snoshi is correct. Turkish F-16 fleet was the second largest for some time but not anymore. Some media people still think so and refer it as such in their articles. But if you say the largest in Europe, that would be correct.



Can you list the recent Egyptian political achievements?



hmm, interesting observation. Could you back it up with the facts?
you won't hear alot about what egypt does but they call shots in the arab world\the united arab league
when they wanted hamas had a cease fire and syria will follow them as well
like it or not Israel and egypt are the ones influancing the middle east
Iran isn't even in it
and turkey isn't taking part

[WoW]

I would say that right now, there is no ONE regional power in the ME. Iran would like to be, but the fact that they're not Arab nor predominantly Sunni limits their influence with their neghbors. Turkey has a strong army and considerable potential, but that is also limited, due to the fact that they are also non-Arab. Also, the history of Ottoman rule in the Middle East has left a lot of it's neighbors with a dislike of the Turks. Saudi Arabia has oil and religious clout as the home of Mecca and Medina and birthplace of Islam, but they have their own problems to deal with. Also, if you ask the average Arab on the street, they'll likely list the Saudis and Kuwaits as the Arabs they like the least.
When Nasser ruled Egypt, there was a short-lived union with Syria. If something like that were to reoccur and be sustainable (which is highly unlikely), they'd have enormous potential. It's no secret that the kings and emirs were scared sh!tless of Nasser, as they were of Sadaam Hussein and others who espoused Arab nationalism.
i agree with this because in wikipedia it also shows 4 middle eastern countries as regional powers there (it is disputed)

[WoW]

Iran has the potential, with its recourseful young population, but is kept back from its potential because of a regressive regime. I voted Israel, the only country with a capacity to really f**k other countries in the region up.
yes iran has a young population like Turkey which is used for labor anyway Israel can f** a country but i doubt they have the power to sustain what happens next (they do have allot of enemies) plus there population is small.
yes the mullah regime made iran weaker :( i hope you get a better leader in the future

[SrB-23Q]

i think Isreal has the best quality force in the region but Turkey has superior numbers and a modern army

[oxxi]

Israel could be slightly better in terms of Airforce, but with the addition of Navy and the Ground forces i think Turkey is the regional power in middle-east.
It really doesnt matter though, Israel & Turkey is allies anyway :hug:

[Ariha]

Sharia ??? Do u even think that this regime will come sooner or later to Turkey?I agree that Turkey had lots of bad political images but never done a suicidal mission as picking sharia regime.Akp knows that sharia regime will not work in Turkey.They may have islamic reference but not soo stupid.Even in the last days of ottoman empire shaira laws was abandoned,nearly 100 years we even dont mention that regime.

There´s a thread here where you can find quotes from Erdogan. A guy who says that first he´s a muslum and then a Turk shouldn´t be the PM of your country, but the Grand Mufti of Istanbul. If he choose to be the PM that´s because he has a clear agenda that obviously can´t expose right now, though he´s doing all what is required step by step to dismantle Ataturks legacy. I think that if you fall asleep you will wake up to a nightmare called Khilafah.

[Ariha]

I don't know if you're joking or not.

But if lebanon breaks down the entire middle east will go up in flames...

Pathetic.

And "yes" to your first sentence.

[Raptus_regaliter]

I think perhaps you underestimate the lengths to which the real power in Turkey, the military, will go to prevent steps down the road to an Islamist government. Who is capable of opposing the generals?

[Ariha]

The people is capable. There´s a cleric brainwashing the population in every turkish village no matter how little, in every quarter of every town, when the children grow up they go to do their military service already indoctrinated and forewarned to resist Ataturks´values. There are +/- 800.000 soldiers in the Turkish army, the day a significant amount will refuse orders I´d like to see which general will step up.

[Raptus_regaliter]

Any soldier showing Islamist tendencies doesn't last long in the ranks - they get routinely purged. I don't see this being an issue.

[4X4Driver]

Sharia ??? Do u even think that this regime will come sooner or later to Turkey?I agree that Turkey had lots of bad political images but never done a suicidal mission as picking sharia regime.Akp knows that sharia regime will not work in Turkey.They may have islamic reference but not soo stupid.Even in the last days of ottoman empire shaira laws was abandoned,nearly 100 years we even dont mention that regime.

Sharia does not ONLY mean chopping heads and arms umutferhat...there are other ways of putting it in use (similar to the ones that the muslims demand in western countries such as UK and Canada) Erdogan has already declared he wants this...this is no secret, but whether it can happen in Turkey...time will only show that. These ppl have already has taken over some key instutions (such as national education system) that makes the generations ready for such future in Turkey. Other example is; Pushing for the headscarf ban lift in the univ. was putting their militans in use for the judicary system after their graduation.


I think perhaps you underestimate the lengths to which the real power in Turkey, the military, will go to prevent steps down the road to an Islamist government. Who is capable of opposing the generals?

Everyone (including the pro military people) wants the avoid that option for the obvious reasons...it can very easly turn the violent extremists onto citizens just like it happenes in Algerie. We truly hope for judical system to prevail on this matter....(even though this won't satisfy the Islamists)

[Ariha]

Any soldier showing Islamist tendencies doesn't last long in the ranks - they get routinely purged. I don't see this being an issue.

They get purged and the purged numbers increase from year to year, they have been detected even in the officers academies. You underestimate their stubborness, they power to corrupt and degrade the institutions and the complicities from within.

[Vassago]

Well Turkish brothers lets be honest, our army may be a great power in the region but as long as the politicians do not have the guts to do what is best for the sake of their country Turkiye can not be counted as a "dominating" power in the region.

For example Israel does not need to ask any one's permission to attack terrorists killing its citizens but the idiot Turkish politicans are begging to USA for months for permission to conduct an operation against pkk in Iraq.

[4X4Driver]

Well Turkish brothers lets be honest, our army may be a great power in the region but as long as the politicians do not have the guts to do what is best for the sake of their country Turkiye can not be counted as a "dominating" power in the region.

For example Israel does not need to ask any one's permission to attack terrorists killing its citizens but the idiot Turkish politicans are begging to USA for months for permission to conduct an operation against pkk in Iraq.

100% True...if it wasn't for the people's open demands for action and protests against the gov't for its silence on the streets, we wouldn't see the latest incursion either.

[Ulytau]

I think perhaps you underestimate the lengths to which the real power in Turkey, the military, will go to prevent steps down the road to an Islamist government. Who is capable of opposing the generals?

Our dialogue ''Turkish Citizens'' been always good with our army about government yeah some people from AKP have bad background but its lookin like most of them seen some truth..

If they interest or tried to do just another revelation who will cover them than?

Police?

Army? ''Also before joinin war academies they checking your background from archives''

Truth is the some people tryin to use religion for their own agenda if most of them really honest about their believes do you think they will do this?

''When operations are continue to Northern Iraq when every Turkish people interestin about operations some deputies tried to rise their money,Our Ghazis ''Veterans'' have more rights about health about hospitals etc they tried to declare them as a Ghazi for having same rights and most of them really RICH''

Just another example there is an airport Minister of Communications do not interest to open this airport his so called reason big planes cannot reach the airport truth is if they cannot use this as an airport like that we can use as a military base too but truth is different people say he spoke with a business which controllin just another airport in this region..

Beeing unjust/unfair really big sin for Islam and we speaking about rights of 70 million people ''Also our citizens who living in different countries who sendin money to Turkiye''..Honestly especially who studying university etc ''future of the country'' sick and tired about this populist politicies..

When Army speaking some European politicians startin to speak about DEMOCRACY..

We didnt seen them at 1980s''When there is serious left wave in Turkiye''

We didnt seen them when our country in chaos for staying aganist Soviet politicies..We didnt seen them when we have terror problem..

If they cannot understand our dialogue with our army they need to check this..

Nation = Army

Army = Nation

This is our life style cause in our history our army leaders and army always beein with us side by side my personal idea its genetic :) Still when i lookin to steps i can feel my asian soul in my heart :D


Now..

I wanna do some explanation about this topic..

Israel;

Dunno if they have traitor potential but their idea is simple ;

Israel first..Truth is the most of the rich men in Middle East have chance for set up 10x Mossad but they mostly care their throne this is why they dont do anything easy to see about solving problems in their country using education this is why they are really good about science about their army they can be young nation but if i know true they had really experienced generals and soldiers from their ex-countries about banking system Jewish Diaspora makes them Middle Easts Switzerland..

Iran;

Deeply culture great potential and really nice people ''Most of their people i'm not speakin about radicals'' first we need to speak about revelation in Iran first my personal idea ''Ajax Operation'' aganist PM Musaddiq ''RIP'' beein effective but just another thing mostly left wing and reformists supported this when there is revelation first they lost their heads.If some groups didnt hinder Muhammed Hatemi ''He get %77 vote at last President Elections'' Iran have gas and oil but this regime mostly care populist politics not about investment..Today they building bridge with China&Russia but we musnt forget they thinkin their rights too..

Saudi Arabia;

About Vahabism most of muslim people dont like this.True they have Mecca and Madina money but we know we cannot go with money to other life i rememberin one of their special forces operation to a Turkish Plane it was explainin everything to me also we heardin about some bribe news about military adjudications too but its lookin like some of them interest to change i hope they will..

Egypt;

It is looking like they cares about most of thing also sometimes we hearding about what they did too etc my personal idea especially about people lookin about reform never forget government will be different but there is really effective ex-Ottoman families too ;)

And my country

Turkiye

After 1974 especially about military we open our eyes after embargo ''it was painful process but my personal idea it been useful.Yeah truth we have important problems too but Country culture & Military culture always been important and useful for our lives&future.We calling country as a father this is why there is no serious unrest when they have big problems too but good to see especially university youngs checkin about some truths and reading too.With Yasar Buyukanit finally they set up a future strategy and working for it they tryin to use their experience and we need to start about this..Our biggest problem is mostly lookin we arent in dialogue with different ideas in Turkiye but when country is in danger we can be unite in same minute and one minute later can establish an army for defence roflGood to see 1 years ago Turk Countries establish a plan for beein unite ''about economical,political,education'' and finally it start to work it will be useful for our future..

''A lil info about Arab Countries and Ottoman times their government dont like us true but most of their people not like that ;) ''

@Vassago;

Politics..When Israel making operation there is any foreign army or something too region is under their control..Yasar Pasha answered enough about this stories i think..

Truth is the people if they didnt interest about making operation people were interest to make operation to assembly..I think you rememberin reaction of the people at funerals..

[4X4Driver]

Any soldier showing Islamist tendencies doesn't last long in the ranks - they get routinely purged. I don't see this being an issue.

It's true that they are stubborn and dedicated in their cause. It is also true that they're being detected and purged routinely... and It is also a fact that they'll NEVER get the military on their side. What's scary is; reversing the current situation of; most Turks being moderate, to getting this majority on their side as their fallowers and turn them even against the military...that would be pretty ugly situation. :(

[WoW]

Well Turkish brothers lets be honest, our army may be a great power in the region but as long as the politicians do not have the guts to do what is best for the sake of their country Turkiye can not be counted as a "dominating" power in the region.

For example Israel does not need to ask any one's permission to attack terrorists killing its citizens but the idiot Turkish politicans are begging to USA for months for permission to conduct an operation against pkk in Iraq.
that is very true!!! Turkey needs a great leader like ataturk who would find a proper solution for problems then that leader has to know the countries interests and legally try to do it (not asking no one for permission) like israel but not doing things to get in the nerves of the worlds superpower (can make you become isolated in the world). The country which does everything by its own interests (without thinking about anythinh else) is israel (in the middle east) they went to war over 2 soldiers being killed :roll: then i think its iran

[Ariha]

Well Turkish brothers lets be honest, our army may be a great power in the region but as long as the politicians do not have the guts to do what is best for the sake of their country Turkiye can not be counted as a "dominating" power in the region.

For example Israel does not need to ask any one's permission to attack terrorists killing its citizens but the idiot Turkish politicans are begging to USA for months for permission to conduct an operation against pkk in Iraq.

The US army is not in Gaza or Judea and Samaria (yet) like in Irak, so better coordinate things with them.

Israel is doing the minimum required to defend its citizens and the level of submission to the US is much bigger than Turkey.

[Player]

As other people have already noted, Iran is definitely the most powerful player in the region. You can think that their leaders are crazy fanatics etc, but you can't deny the fact that those hard line fanatics scare the hell out of a lot people in the ME, not just Israel but Iran's neighbors fear it even more, especially the Gulf states. The combination of a mad regime and political, economical and military power of the country says more than enough. So of course my vote goes to Iran.