U S Servicemen Attacked In Istanbul

[ChillDoubt]

This looked pretty frightening, especially when they try to place a hood over one of them and looked more like an attempted abduction than an attack:

http://news.sky.com/story/1371972/us-sailors-attacked-by-protesters-in-istanbul

Is this a worrying development, considering that Turkey is in the NATO alliance? Or just a minor incident?

It has certainly re-affirmed my pledge to myself to never visit a Muslim country in any capacity and I'm perplexed at friends and colleagues who still do in the current political climate.

[jourdain2]

I've been worried about Turkey for some time. It's been several years since I became concerned about attempts to encourage it to join the E.U..... another reason to quit, but that's a different question.

It is an escalation which points the way in which things are developing there. The hard-line over the park and drinking were also indicators. Turkey is becoming an Islamic state, whilst being an apologist to the West and stalling for time i.m.o.. I wouldn't go there.

[Peter Pedant]

Just come back from Jordan, Chilldo

King Abdullah the beloved who as you must know is a Sandhurst grad has concluded a perpetual treaty with Israel and concentrates on safety as he knows the tourists wont come near

Recommended. Lots to see.

Egypt which has dropped a billion as a result of political unrest
I think is also safe - and they also need tourists

[ChillDoubt]

PP, an Egyptian colleague of mine will visit Cairo with his (Westerner) wife but is very wary and has stated that he wouldn't travel elsewhere in Egypt whilst accompanied by her.

And I'm sure Jordan is a beautiful place, as are many in the Middle East however if I visited any of them(which will never happen) I'd constantly be on my guard. I want a holiday, not an 'experience'.

[Gromit]

Just seen it on live leak.

Not really sinister, just a gang of bullys attacking some wimpy looking sailors.

I will still be spending a month in Turkey next year, as I always do.

[237SJ]

"It has certainly re-affirmed my pledge to myself to never visit a Muslim country in any capacity" Sorry but I really think that you shouldn't place too much score by what you read in the newspapers because they don't portray an accurate description of how whether or not it is safe to visit places.

[ChillDoubt]

Not really sinister, just a gang of bullys attacking some wimpy looking sailors.
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I take it that seeing a dozen or so agitated people surround someone and attempt to put a hood on them is jolly japes then?
Enjoy your stay next month, rather you than me!

http://qz.com/295832/it-wasnt-isil-that-attacked-us-sailors-in-turkey-thats-good-and-bad/

[Gromit]

You would probably be less safe as a tourist visiting Washington DC or Moscow, than visiting Istanbul.

[Gromit]

Chill,

I am not going next month, I will go in May/June for 3 weeks, and then in September for a fortnight.

I have done this for nearly 20 years, and never had boustroys students tey to put a pillowcase on my head.

[Svejk]

Do you think there's a lot of support for IS in Turkey, gromit?

[ChillDoubt]

"It has certainly re-affirmed my pledge to myself to never visit a Muslim country in any capacity" Sorry but I really think that you shouldn't place too much score by what you read in the newspapers because they don't portray an accurate description of how whether or not it is safe to visit places.
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No amount of re-assurance would ever make me change my mind. One only needs to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and before you know it, you're on TV in an orange boiler suit.
That undoubtedly sounds like paranoia but it justs seems that any Westerner in any Muslim country could come under attack or warrant unwelcome attention at any time in the current state of affiars in the ME. I won't be taking that chance. I'll stick to France where I won't feel the need to be looking over my shoulder or pestered by the locals in bazaars, beggars or someone asking to carry my bags the second I leave the airport.

[BlackadderV]

// I'll stick to France where I won't feel the need to be looking over my shoulder or pestered by the locals in bazaars, beggars or someone asking to carry my bags the second I leave the airport.//

PMSL. Have you ever been to La Goutte d'Or in Paris?

[Gromit]

Svejk,
Turkey is a vast country, and I only visit a small area of it, but in my estimation, there is no support for ISIS in Turkey.

Turkey has for a very long time been very western infueneced. A long time member of NATO and a great ally in The Gulf War I.

Most of the US raids on ISIS take place from the Icirlik Airbase in Eastern Turkey.

But, the Turks see the Kurds as Terrorists, so are reluctant to aid them. The situation is very complex, but nobody in Turkey supports ISIS. At least in the urban and tourist areas.

[Deskdiary]

I'm with ChillDoubt.

I was in Egypt in August with my wife and two kids, and it was the worst holiday experience I've ever had - and I've travelled extensively over the years, including places such as Bogota and Laos (before the children came along).

From the constant 'baksheesh' from everybody (having wheeled the cases from the terminal I was happilly loading them on to the coach when they were grabbed from me, thrown on, and then a tip was demanded - which was met with agressiveness when the toothless cretin was told to eff off).

The constant harrassment when walking down a street.

The farce of the airport (it never ceases to amaze me that the more backward the country the more hoops you have to jump through to get in and get out).

The dissmissive service.......and even though the service is poor, they still demand their baksheesh.

The fact that they hate women - my wife was routinely ignored when asking for things. In the whole time we were there I never once saw a female employee.

The inappropriate comments made by some men to my 11 (ELEVEN!!!) year old daughter.

Frankly, the number of times I was getting into rows with the morons in this awful place, I'm surprised I made it out alive!

If my experience of Egypt is in any way representative of other muslim countries, I will be giving them a massive swerve.

[janbee]

I think Turkey is a powder keg and I would never now go there. I agree the risk of attack is low, but it's there and it's on the rise. The anti west feeling is getting stronger. Plenty other countries to visit.

[youngmafbog]

Turkey on it's own is on the right side. However with it's current borders there is too much at stake to risk it.

I really dont think that 'I have been going for 20 years' makes much of a difference. Places in the Middle east can change in an instant.

[ChillDoubt]

PMSL. Have you ever been to La Goutte d'Or in Paris?
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To be fair though BA, Paris is about as representative of France as London is of England, but you already know that.
From what I can gather, Paris is to be avoided like the plague. I'll stick with Languedoc-Rousillon.

[jourdain2]

Chill...London isn't England; Paris isn't France. Languedoc is lovely - but do try the Vienne for holidays. France Profonde and very different.