BY: Nedret Ersanel*
Turkey does not intend to bring the two powers against each other.But one of these two powers is “available” at the moment.
The inference one can make after watching the U.S. and Russia for a while would be the reality that relations are never as they seem to be.
Therefore, “exact information” like “the U.S. is on bad terms with Russia, or the vice versa” can be inferences that put us into a dark pit.
The most recent example of this would be the Ukraine-Syria line. Both countries were at each other’s throats during the Ukraine issue, while they are now arm-in-arm in Syria.
‘Turkey can no longer stay at this point’
But we might be facing an exceptional issue, which means that it would be a different experience both for Ankara, the Middle East and even the world. This might be the West’s first catastrophic breaking point in the East.
Let’s look at the statement President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made at the opening ceremony of the Cabinet at the Presidential Palace: “Dear friends, Turkey can no longer stay at this point. The status quo has to change somehow. We will never win by taking good steps or we will be obliged to grow smaller. I personally am determined to take steps forward.” (“Erdoğan’ın hükümete gösterdiği yeni hedef” (The new target Erdoğan shows the government), 10/10, Yeni Şafak.)
This means ‘something’!
The “Turkish Stream” project’s agreement, which we already know to be “done,” was signed at the World Energy Congress. With this agreement – not to forget Akkuyu, which both parties attach great importance to – both parties concluded a historical period without including the EU.
But another explanation was made: “Turkey will receive an offer from Russia for the long-range air defense system.”
It can be said that it is meaningful for such a decision to come out of the Erdoğan-Putin meeting, which actually received more attention than the World Energy Congress itself. And the U.S. understands this!
Everyone will probably remember the attacks Ankara received during the period in which the U.S., China, Russia and some European countries made offers for long-range air defense systems.
Will it be different this time?
Missiles, aircraft or we will accidently… strike!
Let’s go back to the beginning. How is the relationship between Moscow and Washington?
It isn’t good at the moment. But is this tension inside the city or outside it? Russia and the U.S.’s Middle East game of chess has reached a new level after Moscow announced that it will strike with air defense systems if America uses missiles in Syria.
Gen. Igor Konashenko, the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, made a statement in Moscow on Oct. 7, but this speech was not quite recognized by the media.
However, this statement was made and the concurrent practices were implemented within the expected dimensions of describing the tension between the U.S. and Russia.
“The U.S.’s missile and airstrikes are an open attack on Russian forces positioned in Syria. This will leave the Russian air defense system no option but to respond.”
And there is actually more to it… Everyone seems to “accidently” bomb somewhere in Syria and the Middle East. Countless number of civilians die, apologies are made and the issue is dropped. (This includes the weapons and ammunition accidentally dropped for the use of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its Syrian wing People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Daesh.)
The general continues: “We have taken precautions to ensure that the U.S. and its allies don’t repeat its airstrikes in Syria and its surroundings. Our soldiers in Syria won’t have time to figure out the air routes of the missiles or their nationalities.”
The ghost implication: ‘We see the invisible aircraft!’
Interestingly, the local media reflected these as “unknown objects” like they were referring to UFOs.
But the Russians were actually referring to the “stealth” aircraft that the U.S. military would actually boast about all the time. American arrogance in regards to this issue was insulted, as they were referred to as “amateurs.” The statement concluded with, “Their illusion that these jets are invisible will be disappointing.”
Meaning, the Russians surprised everyone by announcing that the S-300s and S-400s situated in Syria would “see ghosts and strike.” (“’S-300, S-400 air defenses in place’: Russian MoD warns US-led coalition not to strike Syrian army,” 06/10, RT.)
It is assumed that the rumors of the U.S.– which was supposed to take an “ethical” step in 2013 – being cornered by Turkey and Russia planning to attack Damascus with missiles has an effect on such a threat being generated by Russia. (“Obama administration considering strikes on Assad, again,” 04/10, Washington Post.)
Because the possibility of not achieving success is very close to the U.S. presidential elections (Nov. 8), and it has the chance of blowing up the legacy U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to leave. Thus, this might push the lunatics in Washington into making any kind of vile moves. Can this be a “war”? No. That is if the government is still capable.
Just to remind…
It seemed like the U.S. didn’t really care, but Russia recently canceled the nuclear agreement between the two! (“Rusya ABD ile nükleer araştırma anlaşmasını askıya aldı” (Russia temporarily suspends nuclear research agreement with US), 06/10, Sabah.)
On Saturday, İskender missiles were planted in Kaliningrad in Warsaw, a place where NATO recently held a meeting to prove its power. Some say they were seen in Yerevan.
What do you say; do we agree on the “exceptional situation”?
