Could be a problem for NATO? Unless concessions are made? Turkey’s issue with the Nordic nations is not because Russia is favoured.
Yahoo
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday it was not possible for NATO-member Turkey to support plans by Sweden and Finland to join the pact given that the Nordic countries were “home to many terrorist organisations”.
Turkey has repeatedly slammed Sweden and other Western European countries for its handling of organisations deemed terrorist by Ankara, including the Kurdish militant groups PKK and YPG, and the followers of U.S.-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen. Ankara says Gulenists carried out a coup attempt in 2016. Gulen and his supporters deny the accusation.
“We are following the developments regarding Sweden and Finland, but we don’t hold positive views,” Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul
Scandinavian countries are guesthouses for terrorist organisations,” Erdogan said, without giving details.
Aaron Stein, research director at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, said on Twitter with respect to Turkish opposition: “Turkish national security elites view Finland and Sweden as semi-hostile, given the presence of PKK and Gulenists. It’s gonna take arm twisting to get sign-off.”
Finland and Sweden are already NATO’s closest partners, sitting in on many meetings, getting regularly briefed on the situation in Ukraine and taking part in regular military drills with NATO allies. Much of their military equipment is inter-operable with NATO allies.
However, they cannot benefit from NATO’s collective defence clause – that an attack on one ally is an attack on all – until they join the alliance.
All NATO members have to agree or this will not pass. Expect the US to engage in strenuous arm twisting. Or give up their PKK pals?
7 replies on “Turkey: Not Favourable on Finland & Sweden Joining NATO”
Hi Penny
I do get your take on Turkey looking at its own interests and playing a balancing game.
However, even if concessions are made regarding YPG and other military, economic gains, the reality is that Turkey’s true interest is in remaining neutral in relation to Natoo”s total war on Russia. The Anglo Zio West has certainly unmasked itself and it’s hellbent on winning the war with Russia. Only subjugation will do. The game of brinkmanship is creeping slowly but surely past the point of no return. With the likely accession of SW and FIN, almost the entirety of the western hemisphere is on board. If a natoo war on Russia fully materialises, all US bases within the region would be targeted by Russia as a military priority. That puts Trky in the immediate crosshairs. An unwise calculation.
In fact, it should not even be forgiven that it’s own alliance members have aided and abetted the YPG. Taking scant notice of Turkish security interests. Does Trky want to put faith in such friends. Does it value their word even as they have lied and waged war immorally numerous times.
Turkey, in line with the Astana Accords should really have taken the opportunity further of working with Russia and reaching a consensus and reconciliation in regards the Syrian conflict. Even though it appears they are working with Russia in cooperation in a number of issues, it would be detrimental to lose that goodwill built up over the years. This trilateral cooperation in Syria would remain the better option of neutralising and suffocating the YPG threat.
Of course, in a future scenario Trky may well steer clear of any serious Natoo adventures towards Russia. But in that scenario US assets in Syria would certainly be exploited. On the other hand if Trky did get involved and allowed natoo warships to pass through the bosphorus and impede Russia the consequences would be devastating.
Sitting on the fence was perhaps never the best policy in its own regional space. In the end it will likely be pulled to a side. And if the side it chooses is to remain comfortable in natoo then that would seem to be the more detrimental choice.
Analysts had hoped Trky would eventually leave the natoo alliance. Build energy, food and security ties with Russia. Move in the direction of Eurasia, OBOR and the SCO. This is where the future is emerging with safety and respect for sovereignty. Has Trky missed this opportunity.
Abdullah!
I’m so pleased you stopped by to comment! You always offer a very well thought out and reasoned response. Plus oddly enough I was wondering what had come of you?
” the reality is that Turkey’s true interest is in remaining neutral in relation to Natoo”s total war on Russia. ”
I agree 100 percent! That is definitely in Turkey’s best interest.
in the neighbourhood- black sea interests- belt and road etc., etc.,
“Turkey, in line with the Astana Accords should really have taken the opportunity further of working with Russia and reaching a consensus and reconciliation in regards the Syrian conflict. ”
I would have liked to see that as well.. but there could have been internal issues that factored into that? I just don’t know. However, I think they did the most they could do (just an opinion) to serve their interests in the matter.
“Of course, in a future scenario Trky may well steer clear of any serious Natoo adventures towards Russia. But in that scenario US assets in Syria would certainly be exploited. On the other hand if Trky did get involved and allowed natoo warships to pass through the bosphorus and impede Russia the consequences would be devastating. ”
Turkey has to walk the tight rope. That’s how I see it. A balancing act.
“Move in the direction of Eurasia, OBOR and the SCO. This is where the future is emerging with safety and respect for sovereignty. Has Trky missed this opportunity.”
I don’t think they have yet. Again, only my opinion. It’s just going to be hard to extract themselves from the extreme NATO influence. Greece is waiting to fill that void and be a thorn in Turkey’s side.
Penny,
I really do appeciate the thought. I do wish I could contribute more. I have been heavily preoccupied during the last year as I am in the process of relocating. The planning and investment is quite an effort which leaves me with very little time to keep tabs on events as I used to. This venture is a priority for me Things may change in the future. However, I do still try to keep up with your work as I value your assessment on things too.
I’ve been a bit brief but something of an explanation was warranted.
Thank You 🙂
There is no easy way of saying this, But.
Turkiye staying on the fence, while not the most appreciated stance. Is the best stance for turkey.
sidelining the economic perspective as a whole.
Russia is just as bad of a YPG supporter as EU or USA. Since Russia is shielding them further operations from Turkiye in Syria like the USA does.
Than you also have support from PKK and thus also YPG to Russia in the conflict in Ukraine. Possible even manpower
Libya is still a mess, mainly due to Russian involvement there again, against Turkiye’s interest as if France was not enough in the first place.
So as far as I am seeing it.
– EU / USA is keeping Turkiye economically and diplomatically in check,
– Russia is keeping Turkiye militarily in check
– Iran just like to throw a wrench in any Turkiye led attempt to stabilize the region and its own.
So Screw all of them.
“Turkiye staying on the fence, while not the most appreciated stance. Is the best stance for turkey. ”
I agree
“Libya is still a mess, mainly due to Russian involvement there again, against Turkiye’s interest as if France was not enough in the first place. ”
I lay the mess in Libya squarely at the feet of the US and France. Had they not bombed that nation and brutally murdered it’s leadership we would not be having this conversation today.
You are right with regards to libya.
However the post france/usa exercise. The situation with regards to russia also holds true.