Thoughts on the influence on Istanbul over the escalation of the Syrian crisis

[hepf]

The crisis in Syria is escalating fast these last days, especially after the claim of the use of chemical weapons. There is a high probability of a military intervention in Syria (southern neighbor of Turkey), how do you think this might affect our visit next week to Istanbul and our later cruise departing to Greece and the Adriatic?

 

Thanks for any insights and sharing your thoughts.

[mjtripper]

I share your concern as well - our cruise does not leave until 9/20. So who knows what the situation may be at that time? I am wondering about our port stop in Kusadasi.

[cruisemom42]

Unfortunately, no one holds a crystal ball and it's hard to predict just how events will unfold at any time in that area of the world.

 

With that said, Syria has been fighting, to put it bluntly, a civil war for at least a couple of years now. With the type of targeted attacks that seem to be the hallmark of modern warfare, it seems unlikely that unfolding events would affect an area much broader than that already affected (e.g., Syria and a limited distance from her borders). I say it's unlikely, but of course it's not impossible that escalation would occur if the US and her allies aren't able to get some sort of recognized agreement that intervention is needed.

 

Turkey is more or less on the same page as the US regarding Syria, and Istanbul is far from the southern Turkey/Syria border. Thus, I'd say there's little reason to suspect your stop there would be impacted by either military intervention or anti-American feeling.

[aquilegia]

You posted this question on the Greece board as well and have had several answers over there.

[Azulann]

The Syrian civil war has been going on for over a year as Crusiemom said.

I know Turkey has thousands and thousands of refugees along their border with Syria.

With the US, Nato response on the horizen who knows the ramification.

But Istanbul and the port ciites along the coast will still go on with daily life.

If anyone is nervous, just have trip insurance for your peace of mind.

On the other hand, I will be doing a cruise out of Isanbul starting Oct 31 and stay in Istanbul for three nights post cruise.I do not want to be a seen as a 'ugly American" who is unaware of what is going on in the world.

I will continue with my tavel plans and look forward to seeing a slice of Turkey.

 

BTW Crusiemom, I am using some of your suggestions for my stay in Istanbul.

Thanks.

[hepf]

I really appreciate all the feedback received so far! I do agree with all of you that this situation is not much of a concern for the mediterranean cruising, but my DW is pretty concerned about the situation and I wanted to be able to share with her the same opinion from other cruisers to bring her calm.

 

She is much more relaxed and we are really looking forward to our cruise.

 

As aquilegia points out, I also posted this same question on the Greece forum, hoping to get different and more diverse feedback based on the two regions (which I have had).

 

Appreciate the good wishes, and I hope to be able to provide some feedback after my cruise.

[Keith1010]

No one can know for sure but I do not see the crisis in Syria having any impact visiting Istanbul.

 

Keith