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NEW POLITICAL MANEUVERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
By Beril Dedeoglu
Today's Zaman
Sept 13 2011
Turkey
One particular point in Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's
latest statement on the Mavi Marmara incident was very interesting
and aroused a number of questions.
We already know that one of the nine people killed on board was
an American citizen of Turkish origin. The Turkish prime minister
declared that he had once asked US President Barack Obama why his
administration has been so silent about the killing of a US citizen.
It would appear that Obama did not provide a convincing answer.
It gives the impression that if someone of Turkish origin is killed
by the Israeli armed forces, then the US will not call the killers
to account. At a time when nationalist rhetoric is growing stronger
in Turkey because of the Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) terrorist
attacks and ongoing tension with Israel, this kind of information
turns Turkish public opinion to perceive the "enemy front" as wider
than it actually is. Many people already believe that Israel will do
everything possible to destabilize Turkey, making use of the PKK,
Armenia and the Greek Cypriot government. Additionally, people now
believe that the US will assist Israel, at least by remaining silent.
Nevertheless, the tension between Turkey and Israel is a comprehensive
process of restructuring global power balances and is not simply
bilateral animosity.
The US is criticized in many parts of the world because of its
special ties with Israel. This is one of the main reasons why the
US is seen as an untrustworthy partner by the Middle East. This
perception is harmful to US-Israeli relations, too. The US is really
having difficulty reassuring its other allies, and it is crucial
for the US to establish a fair and solid dialogue with new rulers
in the region -- especially in Egypt. The US is trying to preserve
its old influence and to limit the actions of third parties. However,
as the attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo proves, it is uncertain
whether the voice of the US will prevail in the region, at least as
easily as it used to. That is why the Israeli attitude does not only
inflict isolation upon itself but also limits the capability of the
US to politically maneuver within the region.
The narrowing maneuverability of the US in the Middle East will
probably be cited as one of President Obama's foreign policy failures
and will be exploited in his opponents' election campaigns. What is
noteworthy is that none of Obama's challengers have discussed peace,
cooperation or democracy. These people, who follow a warmongering
principle, will likely support Israel's efforts in every contingency.
They see only one way to extend the country's room to maneuver:
by fighting.
However, it is not a given that American or Israeli citizens will
accept further conflict and tensions. Furthermore, no actor is capable
of dictating the future of the region alone, and even the cooperation
of two players will not lend sufficient influence to shape upcoming
developments. In other words, US-Israeli cooperation will not be
enough to avoid new tensions; larger cooperation will be necessary.
The apology Turkey expects from Israel is the key that will open the
way for Israel to be included in these new cooperation efforts.
However, Turkey and the US must preserve their cooperation with their
other partners as well. Americans must demand of their administration
why it has not protected the rights of one of their fellow citizens.
Israel must reassess the situation in Gaza, and Turkey must act
with moderation when it comes to military measures in the eastern
Mediterranean. Politics must serve the resolution of problems and
not add to them; the purpose of diplomacy is to manage crises, not
to create new ones. The chance to use these valuable instruments
still exists.
By Beril Dedeoglu
Today's Zaman
Sept 13 2011
Turkey
One particular point in Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's
latest statement on the Mavi Marmara incident was very interesting
and aroused a number of questions.
We already know that one of the nine people killed on board was
an American citizen of Turkish origin. The Turkish prime minister
declared that he had once asked US President Barack Obama why his
administration has been so silent about the killing of a US citizen.
It would appear that Obama did not provide a convincing answer.
It gives the impression that if someone of Turkish origin is killed
by the Israeli armed forces, then the US will not call the killers
to account. At a time when nationalist rhetoric is growing stronger
in Turkey because of the Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) terrorist
attacks and ongoing tension with Israel, this kind of information
turns Turkish public opinion to perceive the "enemy front" as wider
than it actually is. Many people already believe that Israel will do
everything possible to destabilize Turkey, making use of the PKK,
Armenia and the Greek Cypriot government. Additionally, people now
believe that the US will assist Israel, at least by remaining silent.
Nevertheless, the tension between Turkey and Israel is a comprehensive
process of restructuring global power balances and is not simply
bilateral animosity.
The US is criticized in many parts of the world because of its
special ties with Israel. This is one of the main reasons why the
US is seen as an untrustworthy partner by the Middle East. This
perception is harmful to US-Israeli relations, too. The US is really
having difficulty reassuring its other allies, and it is crucial
for the US to establish a fair and solid dialogue with new rulers
in the region -- especially in Egypt. The US is trying to preserve
its old influence and to limit the actions of third parties. However,
as the attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo proves, it is uncertain
whether the voice of the US will prevail in the region, at least as
easily as it used to. That is why the Israeli attitude does not only
inflict isolation upon itself but also limits the capability of the
US to politically maneuver within the region.
The narrowing maneuverability of the US in the Middle East will
probably be cited as one of President Obama's foreign policy failures
and will be exploited in his opponents' election campaigns. What is
noteworthy is that none of Obama's challengers have discussed peace,
cooperation or democracy. These people, who follow a warmongering
principle, will likely support Israel's efforts in every contingency.
They see only one way to extend the country's room to maneuver:
by fighting.
However, it is not a given that American or Israeli citizens will
accept further conflict and tensions. Furthermore, no actor is capable
of dictating the future of the region alone, and even the cooperation
of two players will not lend sufficient influence to shape upcoming
developments. In other words, US-Israeli cooperation will not be
enough to avoid new tensions; larger cooperation will be necessary.
The apology Turkey expects from Israel is the key that will open the
way for Israel to be included in these new cooperation efforts.
However, Turkey and the US must preserve their cooperation with their
other partners as well. Americans must demand of their administration
why it has not protected the rights of one of their fellow citizens.
Israel must reassess the situation in Gaza, and Turkey must act
with moderation when it comes to military measures in the eastern
Mediterranean. Politics must serve the resolution of problems and
not add to them; the purpose of diplomacy is to manage crises, not
to create new ones. The chance to use these valuable instruments
still exists.