WAR GAMES

The US, Israel, Germany and Turkey have launched Anatolia Eagle, a massive combined military exercise. The fact that Turkey and Israel can not only be allies, but cooperate in joint military exercises in the midst of all the ongoing MidEast violence, should give us some hope: It is possible for a majority Islamic state to behave itself responsibly. Most of the time.

For Turkey, the situation is simple: The US and Israel are not threats. It's clear who Turkey's real threats are:

As Anatolia Eagle was launched, Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul deemed Iran as a threat to Turkey. In an address to parliament's Budget Committee, Gonul said Iran seeks to acquire nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and export Islamic violence throughout the region.

Kind of a no-brainer outside the Islamic MidEast, but heartening that the Turks recognize it too.