The Islamic and non-Islamic worlds now seem locked in a vicious circle of hatred, one that is convincing many moderates on both sides that the cultural and political divide is too large to bridge. This fatalistic vision is tragic and could become a self-fulfilling nightmare. In this context, Europe's dickering over Turkey's possible membership in the European Union takes on a special significance for the world.
The Islamic and non-Islamic worlds now seem locked in a vicious circle of hatred, one that is convincing many moderates on both sides that the cultural and political divide is too large to bridge. This fatalistic vision is tragic and could become a self-fulfilling nightmare. In this context, Europe's dickering over Turkey's possible membership in the European Union takes on a special significance for the world.