My new podcast episode is out

Turkish coup: if Erdogan is removed that's good, but how will the Washington neocons and NATO react? That's the real question.

If the coup results in the permanent removal of Erdogan then it's a good thing. Erdogan was a creep who enabled ISIS and terrorism. He gave them sanctuary, the ability to sell oil and safe transit between Turkey and Syria. Erdogan gave the order to shoot down that Russian jet fighter and in so doing, backed NATO efforts to provoke Russia and maybe draw it into a war. Erdogan was dangerous.

The question is, what will be the reaction of the crazy neocons in Washington and NATO? They used Erdogan for their subversive purposes. Erdogan was a key player in the NATO's designs on Russia so if he is gone what will their reaction be?

That is the real, and very serious, question. I don't know this for sure, but if we take the coup plotters' statements, which are now emerging from the chaotic situation in Turkey, it seems that they had enough with Erdogan's subversive and autocratic rule. That's good for anyone who is against ISIS and terrorism and NATO "adventurism."

But will they succeed? Will NATO, the CIA and the neocons let them succeed? This could get very messy.

Dave Lindorff — An Invisible US Hand Leading to War? Turkey’s Downing of a Russian Jet was an Act of Madness

In considering the terrifying but also sadly predictable news of a Russian fighter jet being downed by two Turkish fighters, let’s start with one almost certain assumption -- an assumption that no doubt is also being made by the Russian government: Turkey’s action, using US-supplied F-16 planes, was taken with the full knowledge and advance support of the US. In fact, given Turkey’s vassal status as a member of US-dominated NATO, it could well be that Ankara was put up to this act of brinksmanship by the US.…

Counterpunch
An Invisible US Hand Leading to War? Turkey’s Downing of a Russian Jet was an Act of Madness

Dave Lindorff

Also

Unlike the Obama administration, that has been willing to arm and train jihadi groups to conduct its proxy-war against Assad in Syria, Erdogan is a true believer, a committed Islamist who has done everything in his power to roll back democracy in Turkey, to establish one-man rule, to destroy the independent judiciary, to silence the free press, and to establish a conservative and intolerant Islamic state. Erdogan is what many would call a “Koolaid drinker”, a man who believes that his support for disparate and vicious terrorist groups that have decimated Syria, laid its civilian infrastructure to waste, and displaced more than half the population is “God’s work”. Make no mistake, the Turkish government is the modern-day Caliphate. The fact that its government officials dress in nicely-tailored suits rather than black pajamas, is merely a way to divert attention from their extreme fanaticism and their covert support for liver-eating fundamentalist savages…

The Russian-led coalition is closing in on the Syria-Turkish border which will put an end to Erdogan’s dream of toppling Assad or continuing to fuel the war with terrorists that are provided a safe haven on Syrian soil. This is why the Su-24 fighter was shot down on Tuesday. It is a desperate attempt to salvage the failed strategy of toppling a secular government and replacing it with friendly Islamic extremists who hew to Erdogan’s twisted worldview.…

The fact is, the Turkish government (with US air support) is trying to annex Syrian territory for its own nefarious purposes. That much is clear.

The downing of the Russian Su-24 fighter fits perfectly with the way in which the Turkish government has been ratcheting up tensions on the border, using its jihadi allies to seize Syrian territory, and trying to incite a violent reaction that will force greater NATO or US involvement. I seriously doubt that Putin is gullible enough to take the bait and overreact to this obvious and pathetic provocation in Ankara. He will exact his pound of flesh at some other time, a time of his own choosing.

Remind me again why is the US backing Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Emirates, etc., as well as Ukrainian neo-Nazis.

Turkey Downs Russian Fighter to Draw NATO and US Deeper into Syrian Quagmire

Mike Whitney