Look.. The point is if Turkey continues to go down the islamist road they'll be finished,. Unless of course the military reasserts its power before the radicals gain control of the government. Either way there is NO certainty on Turkeys future right now, You can post all you're glowing stats if you want but the reality is future is uncertain for that country
You are lying to yourself.
There was world-wide economic crisis, yet, economy performs with highest growth within G-20 behind China. Given this fact, there are no uncertainties.
Economy and population will grow.
Tax-collection and government-budget will continue to rise.
Debt-to-GDP ratio will continue to sink.
Turkey has cultural and historic ties to all the places Turkey disconnected with in 1918. Nothing unnatural about Turkey showing interest in the developments of these regions (see common-market in 1st post).
What was abnormal was the absence of this interest for decades, partly due to economic impotence and being jailed into Cold-War by Superpowers.
In 1918, Turkey was an agricultural country of 19 millions having to form a nation-state out of rest-population of a multinational Caliph-Confederation who relocated or were forced out of their homelands into Anatolia.
Today, we are world's 16th largest (15th PPP) industrial country of 75 millions, which is on a healthy and sustainable growth-path aiming to become 10th largest in 2023, when the Republic turns 100 years old.
Now, we need yearly growth of 8.2% to achieve that aim. if we achieve it in 2023 or 2026 is not that really important, because besides Russia there is no power in West-Asia to over-power Turkey in capabilities. How that capabilities are used is again a total different subject, but the capabilities are and will increasingly be exerted outwards of the Turkish borders. Why? Because we simply can.
What the Generals or Politicians do in Ankara regarding domestic-politics is not going to change anything to the fact, that economic size allows Turkey to become more independent and by that focussed on self-interests.
All those mindsets like you or Marc39 know it also. Preaching uncertainty won't bring uncertainty or a power to contain Turkey.
If you build Intel chip or have won 6 nobels does also not change the fact, that countries in Turkey's periphery have all smaller economies and a smaller industrial base.
