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EXPERTS' ASSESSMENT OF TURKEY'S NEGATIVE ROLE IN THE REGION: ANKARA'S AMBITION BY SOLICITING TO THE WEST
by Hoda Dehqan-Bazrafshan
Siyasat-e Ruz
July 31 2012
Iran
Recent events in Syria and this nation's constant intervention in
Syria show that both Turkey and Syria are pursuing their interests in
the region but these are interests that have been designed based on
the demands of the West, which have brought many crises to the region.
Developments in the Middle East and North Africa, which have brought
the history of this region and indeed the history of the world to
a sensitive stage, have prepared the way for the self-determination
of nations. In addition, these developments have been a test for the
governments that have always claimed to lead the way in defending the
right of sovereignty of nations and likewise the implementation of
Islamic Shariah. In this the nation of Turkey, which in recent years
has made gestures about defending the most important ideal of Muslims,
meaning Palestine, has adopted contradictory positions and sold off
accumulated assets.
In Erdogan's time Turkey has outwardly challenged the Zionist
regime and has repeatedly taken anti-Zionist positions. Examples are
Erdogan's argument with Shimon Perez and leaving the meeting as a
sign of protest, sending the humanitarian flotilla to Gaza called the
Marmara Ship, which was attacked by Zionist commandos and other things,
all of which showed anti-Zionist action. However the developments of
the Islamic awakening put Turkey to a difficult test.
Along with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, this nation suddenly adopted
policies contradicting previous orientations and it spared no effort
weakening the axis of resistance, meaning Syria. The basic question
is, what is the reason Turkey adopted these positions in its political
behavior?
Turkey's desire to join the EU, close relations with the United
States, writing America's dictated policy in Syria, deploying the
missile shield on Turkish soil and the presence of the navy in the
Black Sea are among the factors some analysts believe have impacted
the Turkish government's contradictory behavior. Turkey always
claims to support Hamas but on the other hand it does not hesitate
to take any measure against the government of Syria - the axis of
the resistance. This nation has adopted unstable positions lacking
in strategic method. On the one hand in foreign policy we are seeing
the slogans of non-intervention in the internal affairs of neighbor
nations and solving problems with neighbors but on the other hand we
are seeing the hosting of Bashar al-Asad's opponents, the organization
of their meetings, the deployment of its army and the opposition on
Syria's borders and even inviting Bashar al-Asad to step down from
power, the threat to support the issuance of a resolution against
Syria in the Security Council and going along with the Arab League
on the economic sanctions against Syria.
Turkey is trying to show itself as a supporter of the interests and
human rights of the people of Syria; it claims to support the people
but it does everything against the Syria's interests and to create
insecurity in this nation to the point that to divert world public
opinion Turkish officials are prepared to sabotage Iran's image. They
declare they intercepted the arms shipment that has been sent to Syria
from Iran even though this is without basis or fact and this weapon
is just a cover for Turkey's criminal role in sending weapons to the
terrorists in Syria. These actions conflict with the desire of the
people of Turkey to maintain friendly relations with Syria. Many of
Turkey's political parties, groups and public figures are opposed to
the Ankara government's policies on Syria. They do not want Turkey
to get into America's political games in the region. One of the main
reasons for the resignation of Turkey's military commanders was to
protest this issue.
Some other analysts believe Turkey is thinking of forming another big
Ottoman Empire and with the internal problems that have been raised
by Saudi Arabia - as a big power center in the Muslim World - this
unfounded idea has been reinforced. Turkey is trying to become a big
regional power and a model for future Middle East and Arab governments,
but this nation suffers from an internal weakness. On the one hand
the army accuses the Ankara government of taking steps to weaken
this nation's secular system and on the other hand the government
accuses the army of being incapable of dealing with the PKK. Issues
like this are just some of the conflicts in Turkey's political space
in recent years. Turkish officials are making every effort to achieve
their main objective, which is regional leadership.
Turkey's behavior in relation to the Syria developments conflicts with
this nation's interests with its powerful neighbors such as Russia
and Iran; if Turkey insists on its Syria policies with its neighbors
- Russia, Armenia, Iraq and Iran - it will have a problem and the
results of ten years of Turkey's foreign policy with its neighbors
will be endangered. Turkey and its neighbors are now on two completely
different fronts. Nations such as Iran and Iraq emphasize that that
the Syria solution is solely political and turning over affairs to the
people of this nation, a people who have shown they oppose change at
the head of power and who confirm continuation of Assad's presidency.
On the other hand following the Western game Turkey is insisting
on intensifying the crisis and making Syria restive and they regard
maintaining this nation's political system as the end of their task.
In view of these circumstances the questions arise, why is Turkey
emphasizing to this extent the continuation of negative movement in
Syria, and what will the future be in this nation's relations with
its neighbors if this trend continues? In the following interview
with experts Siyasat-e Ruz examines these questions.
Turkey in the Framework of the West's Interests
Dr. Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, expert on political affairs and member
of the Eighth Majlis National Security Commission, said Turkey is
moving in line with the West's interests in the region. He said:
In view of the wave of the Islamic awakening in the nations of the
region Turkey, which is leaning more towards the West, is trying to
implement Western policies and models in the region to protect its
own interests. It is therefore making every effort to overthrow the
Bashar Assad government because by removing the foundations of the
Bashar Assad government Turkey will also play a wider role advancing
its interests in the region and in Syria.
Concerning Turkey's actions towards Iran he also said: In view of
the authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its independent
and unique strategic standing, neither Turkey nor any other nation
can create the slightest problem for Iran.
This political expert said: Iran is a nation that has maintained its
authority in the region in terms of security. The nation's political
system is a progressive system and therefore activity in Iran's
neighbor nations such as Syria will not make the slightest change in
the nation's security.
He said Turkey is a nation that plays a dual role in the region. He
added: On the one hand it leans towards Asia and on the other Turkey
plays a Western role; it wants to get concessions from both sides. For
this reason it has the most support from NATO and the EU.
Falahatpisheh said: Outwardly Turkey shows itself to the other nations
in the region as a nation that wants democracy but with the support
of the Westerners and the Zionist regime it is in fact a hand-picked
agent of the West's policies.
Turkey's Outwardly Islamist Character
Another expert on political affairs, Hassan Hanizadeh, said Turkey has
acted on behalf of America and NATO during the Syria crisis. He said:
Since the terrorists are getting all logistical and weapons resources
from NAT O, America, Saudi Arabia and Qatar over the shared border
between Turkey and Syria, Turkey is therefore seeking to bring down
Bashar Assad and install a government hand-picked by the Westerners.
He added: Turkey wants to break off the Province of Adlib, which is
close to the shared border between Turkey and Syria and to take over
in some way this part of Syria's soil; also after the fall of the
Bashar Assad it wants to bring back the era of Ottoman Empire rule
in this nation.
This expert on political affairs said: For this reason with the
financial support of the Western governments Turkey is taking
destructive measures on their behalf, although what is happening in
Syria is the defeat of the West's plan.
He said: If Turkey can play an effective role bringing down Bashar
Assad, in the next stages it will definitely seek to suppress Lebanon's
Hizbollah from the resistance scene in Lebanon, to create insecurity
in Iran in the years to come and even in the months to come. Hanizadeh
said: The Islamic Republic of Iran must not be deceived by outwardly
Muslim Recep Tayyip Erdogan because this nation of Turkey is already
the most dangerous government for Iran.
Noting that Iran's capability in the region is unique, he said: However
we must not lose sight of the plots of the West's hand-picked agents,
especially Turkey, which is both a NATO member and whose interests
are also tied to the interests of the West, because these events in
Syria are the result of damaging Iran's strategic interests.
[translated from Persian]
From: Baghdasarian
by Hoda Dehqan-Bazrafshan
Siyasat-e Ruz
July 31 2012
Iran
Recent events in Syria and this nation's constant intervention in
Syria show that both Turkey and Syria are pursuing their interests in
the region but these are interests that have been designed based on
the demands of the West, which have brought many crises to the region.
Developments in the Middle East and North Africa, which have brought
the history of this region and indeed the history of the world to
a sensitive stage, have prepared the way for the self-determination
of nations. In addition, these developments have been a test for the
governments that have always claimed to lead the way in defending the
right of sovereignty of nations and likewise the implementation of
Islamic Shariah. In this the nation of Turkey, which in recent years
has made gestures about defending the most important ideal of Muslims,
meaning Palestine, has adopted contradictory positions and sold off
accumulated assets.
In Erdogan's time Turkey has outwardly challenged the Zionist
regime and has repeatedly taken anti-Zionist positions. Examples are
Erdogan's argument with Shimon Perez and leaving the meeting as a
sign of protest, sending the humanitarian flotilla to Gaza called the
Marmara Ship, which was attacked by Zionist commandos and other things,
all of which showed anti-Zionist action. However the developments of
the Islamic awakening put Turkey to a difficult test.
Along with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, this nation suddenly adopted
policies contradicting previous orientations and it spared no effort
weakening the axis of resistance, meaning Syria. The basic question
is, what is the reason Turkey adopted these positions in its political
behavior?
Turkey's desire to join the EU, close relations with the United
States, writing America's dictated policy in Syria, deploying the
missile shield on Turkish soil and the presence of the navy in the
Black Sea are among the factors some analysts believe have impacted
the Turkish government's contradictory behavior. Turkey always
claims to support Hamas but on the other hand it does not hesitate
to take any measure against the government of Syria - the axis of
the resistance. This nation has adopted unstable positions lacking
in strategic method. On the one hand in foreign policy we are seeing
the slogans of non-intervention in the internal affairs of neighbor
nations and solving problems with neighbors but on the other hand we
are seeing the hosting of Bashar al-Asad's opponents, the organization
of their meetings, the deployment of its army and the opposition on
Syria's borders and even inviting Bashar al-Asad to step down from
power, the threat to support the issuance of a resolution against
Syria in the Security Council and going along with the Arab League
on the economic sanctions against Syria.
Turkey is trying to show itself as a supporter of the interests and
human rights of the people of Syria; it claims to support the people
but it does everything against the Syria's interests and to create
insecurity in this nation to the point that to divert world public
opinion Turkish officials are prepared to sabotage Iran's image. They
declare they intercepted the arms shipment that has been sent to Syria
from Iran even though this is without basis or fact and this weapon
is just a cover for Turkey's criminal role in sending weapons to the
terrorists in Syria. These actions conflict with the desire of the
people of Turkey to maintain friendly relations with Syria. Many of
Turkey's political parties, groups and public figures are opposed to
the Ankara government's policies on Syria. They do not want Turkey
to get into America's political games in the region. One of the main
reasons for the resignation of Turkey's military commanders was to
protest this issue.
Some other analysts believe Turkey is thinking of forming another big
Ottoman Empire and with the internal problems that have been raised
by Saudi Arabia - as a big power center in the Muslim World - this
unfounded idea has been reinforced. Turkey is trying to become a big
regional power and a model for future Middle East and Arab governments,
but this nation suffers from an internal weakness. On the one hand
the army accuses the Ankara government of taking steps to weaken
this nation's secular system and on the other hand the government
accuses the army of being incapable of dealing with the PKK. Issues
like this are just some of the conflicts in Turkey's political space
in recent years. Turkish officials are making every effort to achieve
their main objective, which is regional leadership.
Turkey's behavior in relation to the Syria developments conflicts with
this nation's interests with its powerful neighbors such as Russia
and Iran; if Turkey insists on its Syria policies with its neighbors
- Russia, Armenia, Iraq and Iran - it will have a problem and the
results of ten years of Turkey's foreign policy with its neighbors
will be endangered. Turkey and its neighbors are now on two completely
different fronts. Nations such as Iran and Iraq emphasize that that
the Syria solution is solely political and turning over affairs to the
people of this nation, a people who have shown they oppose change at
the head of power and who confirm continuation of Assad's presidency.
On the other hand following the Western game Turkey is insisting
on intensifying the crisis and making Syria restive and they regard
maintaining this nation's political system as the end of their task.
In view of these circumstances the questions arise, why is Turkey
emphasizing to this extent the continuation of negative movement in
Syria, and what will the future be in this nation's relations with
its neighbors if this trend continues? In the following interview
with experts Siyasat-e Ruz examines these questions.
Turkey in the Framework of the West's Interests
Dr. Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, expert on political affairs and member
of the Eighth Majlis National Security Commission, said Turkey is
moving in line with the West's interests in the region. He said:
In view of the wave of the Islamic awakening in the nations of the
region Turkey, which is leaning more towards the West, is trying to
implement Western policies and models in the region to protect its
own interests. It is therefore making every effort to overthrow the
Bashar Assad government because by removing the foundations of the
Bashar Assad government Turkey will also play a wider role advancing
its interests in the region and in Syria.
Concerning Turkey's actions towards Iran he also said: In view of
the authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its independent
and unique strategic standing, neither Turkey nor any other nation
can create the slightest problem for Iran.
This political expert said: Iran is a nation that has maintained its
authority in the region in terms of security. The nation's political
system is a progressive system and therefore activity in Iran's
neighbor nations such as Syria will not make the slightest change in
the nation's security.
He said Turkey is a nation that plays a dual role in the region. He
added: On the one hand it leans towards Asia and on the other Turkey
plays a Western role; it wants to get concessions from both sides. For
this reason it has the most support from NATO and the EU.
Falahatpisheh said: Outwardly Turkey shows itself to the other nations
in the region as a nation that wants democracy but with the support
of the Westerners and the Zionist regime it is in fact a hand-picked
agent of the West's policies.
Turkey's Outwardly Islamist Character
Another expert on political affairs, Hassan Hanizadeh, said Turkey has
acted on behalf of America and NATO during the Syria crisis. He said:
Since the terrorists are getting all logistical and weapons resources
from NAT O, America, Saudi Arabia and Qatar over the shared border
between Turkey and Syria, Turkey is therefore seeking to bring down
Bashar Assad and install a government hand-picked by the Westerners.
He added: Turkey wants to break off the Province of Adlib, which is
close to the shared border between Turkey and Syria and to take over
in some way this part of Syria's soil; also after the fall of the
Bashar Assad it wants to bring back the era of Ottoman Empire rule
in this nation.
This expert on political affairs said: For this reason with the
financial support of the Western governments Turkey is taking
destructive measures on their behalf, although what is happening in
Syria is the defeat of the West's plan.
He said: If Turkey can play an effective role bringing down Bashar
Assad, in the next stages it will definitely seek to suppress Lebanon's
Hizbollah from the resistance scene in Lebanon, to create insecurity
in Iran in the years to come and even in the months to come. Hanizadeh
said: The Islamic Republic of Iran must not be deceived by outwardly
Muslim Recep Tayyip Erdogan because this nation of Turkey is already
the most dangerous government for Iran.
Noting that Iran's capability in the region is unique, he said: However
we must not lose sight of the plots of the West's hand-picked agents,
especially Turkey, which is both a NATO member and whose interests
are also tied to the interests of the West, because these events in
Syria are the result of damaging Iran's strategic interests.
[translated from Persian]
From: Baghdasarian