There was a time when Turkey was one of the closest allies of the United States in the region and look how far its fallen. Turkey and the US have a remarkable history of relations and it is one that should be taken in history classes but that is not at issue here. Not too long ago US congress voted to accept the "Armenian Genocide" - now its validity is again not the question and really should be up to historians.
Early in the Iraq war 11 Special Forces Turkish soldiers were also detained by the US adding to the embarrassment of Turkey. And just recently the Israeli media had a good time at Turkey's expense.
Turkey has also been trying to enter the EU - as a member of NATO we are willing to take its military assitance when needed but refuse it economic ties?
How long did we expect the country to continue to suffer such embarassement? How long long did we expect them to keep their own right wing at bay? As Turkey retreats into the warm comfort of its fimiliar mid-east neightbhours maybe its time the rest of the world make a few ovetures to show how much we care that it came so far out on a limb only to find itself alone.
Side note: The Armenians were massacred by the Young Turk movement - these happen to be the same people that entered the war on Germany's side; clearly morals were lacking. With the dissolution of the empire into anarchy they were able to gain control and commit such atrocities only later to be overthrown by the sectarian government whose legacy you see now.
From BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8570842.stm
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