Batuhan

Ayasofya, 1849'da Gaspare Fossati'nin objektifinden. 📷🏛️

Following the ongoing situation in Iran, I am convening a special Security College on Monday. For regional security and stability, it is of the utmost importance that there is no further escalation through Iran’s unjustified attacks on partners in the region.

As many of you will know, I flew the C-130 for most of my RAF career, firstly as an air loadmaster and latterly as pilot and captain. I have a lot of time in this aircraft both operationally and hauling stuff around the globe. It’s a hugely reliable airframe that is very forgiving in all but a few circumstances outside of enemy action. I have watched social media today and seen some rubbish being spouted about the aircraft’s safety record. I just want to add some context. The aircraft itself is the longest military aircraft in continuous production in the world. It’s been around for over 70 years. Its list of campaigns is long, and yes, it’s suffered significant losses as a result. Almost 15% of all aircraft built have been lost. This doesn’t mean they have all been lost to accidents, 29 were lost in ground action, and the US lost over 70 in Vietnam. But this doesn’t mean the aircraft is unsafe or has a poor safety record. Many were lost to enemy action as this is a tactical transport that pushes the boundaries. During my time in the RAF we lost 6 aircraft and all but one were in operational theatres. None were due to the aircraft, the majority were enemy action. I won’t speculate on the cause of today’s tragic loss of life, it’s not fair on anyone to do so. But I’ll wager the crew, like so many before them, were doing something they loved dearly when they ‘flew west’. No matter the flag on your flying suit, those who fly, or have flown, Albert… are part of one big family. Today we mourn the loss of part of that fraternity. per Ardua ad Astra.

İstanbul'da sahillerde güneşlenip denize girmeyi başlatanlar İstanbul’a sığınan Beyaz Rus mülteciler ve kısmen de işgal dönemindeki İngiliz askerleriydi. Şehrin o zaman piknik alanı olan “Fülürye” buradaki plajlara akın eden Rusların telaffuzuyla “Florya”ya dönüştü.

Haçlılar çok acımasızdı. Kendi tarihçileri yamyamlıklarını anlatır. Kuşatmaya katılan Caen'li Radulph bu sahneleri hiçbir ahlaki gerekçe göstermeden aktarır: "Maarrat'ta birliklerimiz Müslümanları tencerelerde kaynattılar, çocuklarını şişlere sapladılar ve ızgarada yediler.