BY: İbrahim Karagül*
Is it possible for Turkey and the U.S. to continue together on the new power map which the small circle of “founding” countries are currently testing? Or will they bury deep in the ground all partnerships along the Ankara-Washington line, pushing Turkey to seek “different” partnerships with new rising powers?
The ‘local powers’ formula is a threat to Turkey
Will this first contact by President Erdoğan, which he described as “one to place a period not a comma” (in relations), present a “founding will” between the two leaders or be sacrificed to “partnership with local powers” on a global scale by the war lobby?
In other words, will the bridges in Turkish-American ties be destroyed through the U.S.’s new doctrine (let’s call this finding an excuse to support terror), which has become a threat even for Turkey now?
Will Washington choose its traditional allies, prioritize state-to-state relations or continue on its path by declaring every country’s terrorist organization as a partner?
A neocon fantasy, this is also going to go in the trash
This new formula, which, without a doubt, is the product of vulgar pride and excessive self-confidence, and will gain tens of new enemy countries, is disregard for both political history and nations’ deep strength. It is clear that the U.S. is going to see great harm because of this.
This approach that will conclude with the U.S., which has already lost all credit worldwide, being abandoned even by its closest allies, is no different to the “we will establish the unilateral world order,” “the world is our oyster, we will do as we please” fantasies of neocons.
Hence, let us note from now that this doctrine, meaning the arming of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) Syrian branch Democratic Union Party (PYD) for us, but contains similar threats for many countries, is also going to end in a major fiasco. Let us additionally remember that all similar projects since the 1990s have also gone down the drain and that the same end awaits this craziness.
Two terrorist organizations ‘partners’ against an ally country
Looking at the comments made in U.S. media, this summit is Trump’s most difficult meeting after becoming president. It is true, because there are very tough matters on the table. There is U.S. support behind the July 15, 2016 coup and civil war intervention. There is the Fetullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ) and there is the protection of a terrorist organization by the U.S.
Including the attempted assassination of President Erdoğan, there was a project implemented under the control of U.S. intelligence. There is the continued protection of those circles and their continued threat to Turkey. There are the weapons transferred to the PKK/PYD, which clearly target Turkey’s future. Regardless of how separate we see them from one another, there are instructions that were given on July 15, 2016 to both FETÖ and the PKK.
There is an extremely disturbing situation like the U.S. administration declaring both terrorist organizations as “partners against an ally country.” And there is unwillingness to continue this policy despite partnership relations and convincing Turkey.
Plans to run out the clock and reconcile Turkey and PYD
When we add all these, it appears that the U.S. is prepared to sacrifice relations with Turkey. With such a picture, the “guarantee” statements made by the Pentagon are nonsense, meaningless and unreliable.
Even though Turkey is inclined to continue on the path with the U.S., this is the toughest period, the greatest fracture in the history of the two countries’ relations. In a period when the world is readying for a new division of powers, a new power equation gains prominence and certain center countries other than the U.S. are standing out, will Turkey surrender or bow to Washington’s every crazy whim?
I don’t think so. There will be no such Turkey. There will be no Turkey that will give hostage its country, borders, integrity and security to the U.S. or ally ties. Those arming the PKK/PYD today, are going to try in the future to push Turkey to reconcile with these countries. They are going to create physical circumstances.
Therefore, they are taking Turkey’s current clear stance, approach seriously, but they are also trying to weaken it and spread it out through time, trying to break its resistance. Yet, the plans are now out in the open.
Toward a world run by leaders, not states
A new situation, a new trend is starting to gain prominence in the world. Now, a period in which leaders are determining rather than states, political discourses and the established system has started. The Trump-Putin-Erdoğan will soon start to appear in other countries as well. Hence, the Erdoğan-Trump meeting may produce a solution to many issues and create a common language.
However, the established system in the U.S. is showing extraordinary effort to negate this possibility. Erdoğan has a stronger hand in this regard, Trump is more dependent. Because, Trump does not yet have control over the established system.
It seems as though a game is being played against Turkey, but perhaps a bigger game is being played against the U.S. and Trump. They are taking him hostage, investing in allies’ anger and creating new enemies against the U.S.
A different kind of ‘September 11’ trap is being set up against the US
These are the preliminary preparations of a new September 11 attack-like plot. This time they are going to do this not through terror but through the alienation of the U.S.’s allies.
Today’s meeting will be followed very closely in world capitals too. A disconnection in Turkish-American relations may lead to a deep tremor through the global power map.
Turkey is no longer a country that can be swayed away from its path through the PKK or FETÖ. We will either take action together or continue on our own path. The era of making us surrender, weak, taking us under tutelage again through fear of organizations is over. If things are going to go on track, the U.S. needs to stop threatening Turkey.
It looks like there is going to be plenty to discuss following today’s summit.
*Ibrahim Karagül is a Turkish writer and journalist. He is the editor-in-chief of Turkish Yeni Şafak newspaper.
(Published in Yeni Şafak Turkish newspaper on May 16, 2017)
