Turkey's secular democracy is increasingly establishing itself as a fulcrum for East-West relations, notably as a bridge to Iran and Syria. Its pending application to join the European Union is seen by some to be a powerful opportunity for better Middle East relations, enriching the possibilities of a more effective and substantial EU foreign policy. Others are uncomfortable with a perceived cultural misfit and there is a fear of Turkey's neighbors as the main source of Europe's security concerns.
But most policymakers in the West have welcomed Turkey's growing rapprochement with Syria and since the Syrian uprising five months ago, are hoping that Turkey can use its influence to stop the bloodshed. Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu appealed on August 9, 2011 to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad to stop killing civilians, saying that Turkey is "running out of patience" with its neighbor. Assad subsequently gave assurances to the Turkish but armed repression still continues, with some 1600 dead since protests began, causing many refugees, including Syrian Kurds, to flee across the 870 kilometer border into Turkey.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton again called on Turkey this week to use its influence in Syria to stop using force against civilians. Turkey has deplored the "savagery" but has refrained from calling for Assad's departure as the US requested. The Syrian opposition is slow to offer a credible and viable political alternative to Assad whose survival now depends on the Syrian business community. While the merchant families of Aleppo and Damascus continue to support the pro-regime paramilitary groups, most of the powerful silent majority fear civil war more t, USAan shifting their political allegiance and the situation is a painful and tragic stalemate for the regime and the protesters.
For more: Azeem Ibrahim: Turkey's Syrian Conundrum
No comments:
Post a Comment