Will there be a war?

When I read this news, I immediately thought that it was a typical manipulation campaign meant to weaken the government. Probably some groups wanted the public saying, ‘Look, the military is making necessary preparations, it’s even making an agreement with the US, but the government is neglecting Turkey’s interests.’ Maybe the same groups thought that during these critical days for Turkey’s European Union membership bid, reports indicating that we have expansionist aims would make the EU think twice.

Actually they were addressing the government. However, the government kept silent on the issue for almost a week. It neither denied these reports, nor started an investigation into their sources. The government did nothing, and so took tacit part and contributed to this campaign of sowing confusion by failing to issue a concrete denial. As a result, maybe some people gave credence to the reports. Then, fortunately, a blanket denial came from Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, and so those who were concerned about a war starting could breathe a sigh of relief. Such reports and their ripple effects should be a lesson for us, that is, we journalists. Just a couple of newspapers report that Turkey might start a war and nobody is influenced by this news, and none of the other papers report on this, nor the TV channels. Don’t you find this thought provoking?”