Tornado Alley (PROG)

[fuagf]

While not a comment on the wisdom or not of a no fly zone Ralston for one could have ulterior motives in calling for one.

Ralston held various senior positions in defense and security-related corporations, simultaneously with his diplomatic role as "anti PKK coordinator". Critics said Ralston was using his influence as special envoy to secure large government weapons contracts for arms maker Lockheed Martin where he was on the board of directors. The Boston Globe described him as "an arms merchant in diplomat's clothing."[11]

In October 2006, the Kurdish National Congress of North America issued a press release demanding "the immediate resignation" of General Joseph Ralston:[12]

Ralston's appointment came at a time when Turkey was finalizing the sale of 30 new Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft (approx. $3 billion) and as Turkey was due to make a decision on the $10 billion purchase of the new Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF aircraft. The sale for the F-16's was approved by the United States Congress in mid-October and Turkey's decision in favor of the F-35 JSF was announced on October 25, shortly after Ralston's recent stay in Ankara, ostensibly to counter the PKK.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Ralston#Alleged_conflicts_of_interest

And he sure as hell did not show the same compassion for Kurdish freedom fighters.