Putting the fox in charge of the henhouse to avoid trouble
Source: in-cyprus.com
The Cyprus model, Davutoğlu’s formula, is Turkey’s go-to strategy for every situation. For occupying Turkey, Cyprus serves as a precedent to intimidate future targets. It’s worth recalling that Ahmet Davutoğlu, the AKP theorist and Erdoğan’s right-hand man until his fall from grace, described Cyprus’s strategic importance to Turkey in his book “Strategic Depth”.
He maintained that “even if there wasn’t a single Muslim Turk there, Turkey should maintain a Cyprus issue” because “no country can remain indifferent to such an island located at the heart of its vital space.” The theories of Turkey’s former Prime Minister, which formed the basis for strategic planning, are well-known, much discussed, and remain relevant today. All actions by the occupying side are based on these principles.
The major issue at present is what’s happening in Syria and how the occupying power is implementing its imperialistic, expansionist policy there. Obviously, Syria cannot be viewed in isolation but must be seen as part of Ankara’s broader regional strategy.
In the case of Syria, where the situation remains fluid and consequently Turkey’s role and influence as well, Ankara has also played the religious card. As it has in other cases. As with the Palestinians, where Erdoğan’s audacity knows no bounds. An occupying power presumes to lecture others and claims to defend an occupied people.
It’s clear that all of Ankara’s moves are based on Davutoğlu’s theory of vital space. Hence Erdoğan speaks of borders extending beyond his country’s current ones. Erdoğan’s revisionist policy, aimed at building a neo-Ottoman Turkey, promotes an ambitious plan based on the theory of “vital space” and expansionist wars, echoing the Nazis and Hitler (“Lebensraum”). It’s not an exaggeration to say this, as comparisons often confirm that the Turkish President follows Nazi Germany’s theory.
The presence in Syria, therefore, relates to Ankara’s broader plans, which, as Erdoğan himself has stated, extend all the way to Jerusalem! At this stage, however, it’s primarily connected to the Kurds. Erdoğan has sent the message: Either the Kurds will bury their weapons, or Turkey will bury them militarily. The Turkish President was more specific than Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who spoke of “elimination”. Tayyip explained exactly how this would happen!
Occupying Turkey entered the Syrian game long ago through territorial occupation, creating a security zone, and attacks against the Kurds. In the final phase, as the Assad regime was collapsing, it managed to… jump on the “train” to Damascus. It was and remains, at a higher level, the first country to have contacts with the new regime (along with Qatar). Despite Ankara’s obvious motives, everyone rushes to acknowledge its role: The President of the European Commission, who went to Ankara, the UN Secretary-General, who spoke with Fidan, the Americans, and others.
A role is being recognised for a regime with clear expansionist ambitions that is part of the problem. A role is being recognised for an occupying power when it declares it will impose itself militarily and through proxies on territories beyond its borders. It’s obvious that through the responsibility of all key players, through their tolerance, Erdoğan is being allowed to control a regime with the ultimate aim of eliminating the Kurds, “every enemy”, and becoming a regional player. With the tolerance of almost everyone.
The original article: belongs to in-cyprus.com .
