Turkey continues to obstruct Western goals in Ukraine and other parts of the world. Ankara said that it would stop two minehunter ships given by Britain to Ukraine from passing through its waters en route to the Black Sea.
The Turks based their move on an international pact called the Montreux Convention (1936), which Turkey activated during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The treaty allows Ankara to control the transit of military ships during wartime. By supplying these ships to Ukraine, Britain aims to enhance Ukraine's naval capabilities amid its ongoing war with Russia.
Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, Turkey has notably characterized Russia as a “friend” and has taken a stance against imposing sanctions on the Kremlin. This position has distinguished Turkey from other NATO member states that have opted for such punitive measures (Reuters, Feb. 25).
In contrast to fellow NATO nations, Turkey has chosen not to restrict its airspace to Russia and remains open to Russian oligarchs for tourism and investment opportunities. While other NATO and European allies bear the economic burdens of sanctions, Turkey prioritizes its economic interests and seeks avenues for enrichment.
The Turks closed the Straits, but to Russia’s advantage. Russian warships can return to their bases in the Black Sea, but American ones cannot enter. The Russians thanked Turkey for it. Recently, in a PBS interview, ‘Turkey’s Erdoğan said he trusts Russia’ just as much as he trusts the West.’
Turkey remains a significant impediment to Sweden’s NATO aspirations, employing overt pressure tactics, including blatant attempts to coerce the United States into agreeing to sell her F-16 air fighter jets. Despite Sweden’s unwavering commitment to democracy in Europe, the country has been thwarted from joining NATO by an authoritarian and anti-democratic Turkish government that currently falls short of meeting NATO’s membership requirements. Sweden should have joined NATO a long time ago.
The U.S. State Department delayed F-35 sales to Greece until Congress approved its F-16 deal with Turkey. This action is unfair to Athens, a reliable U.S. ally that plays a significant role in Western endeavors, including efforts in the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Since Turkey closed the Straits, the Strategic Port of Alexandroupolis in Greece has become a vital artery for supplying Ukraine. The U.S. uploads weapons and other supplies to the Greek port and, from there, trucks or sends them via rail through Bulgaria and Romania into Ukraine. The Souda base in Crete is crucial for U.S. operations in the conflict in Gaza.
Turkey, despite its occupation of Northern Cyprus and significant parts of Syria and its actions against Kurdish civilians, has labeled Israel as an “occupier” and a ‘terror state.’ It has even referred to HAMAS as a “freedom fighter” organization, refusing to condemn its attacks on innocent civilians, including women and children. This stance raises questions about Turkey’s credibility to criticize others, making it the last country in the world that can effectively pass judgment on such matters. President Biden has repeatedly stated that Israel has a right to defend itself, but also stressed that the Israeli government must carry out its military operations within the parameters of international law and safeguard Palestinian civilian lives.
Biden’s position angered the Arab American community, essential to the President’s winning coalition in 2020. They fault Joe Biden for backing Israel, yet Trump’s support would be significantly more robust if elected in 2024.
Similarly, the Greek American and Armenian American communities are unhappy with the Biden administration’s position on the sale of the F-16s air fighters to Turkey and its failure to prevent the ethnic cleansing of the Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh (Republic of Artsakh). Yet a vote against Biden may usher into power Trump, someone who would be even more supportive of Turkey. Michel Rubin, a former Pentagon official, highlighted the potential electoral repercussions for President Biden because of his stance on the F-16s sale to Turkey in an article featured in the Washington Examiner.
It is striking how a nation with a per capita income of $7,000 and an inflation rate exceeding sixty percent can wield significant power and influence in Washington, DC, effectively impeding American and Western goals and interests. Yet we know that the only time the U.S. government stood up to the Turks and imposed economic sanctions, Turkey’s economy almost collapsed, the Turkish lira plunged, and Ankara retreated.
Former President Trump did it, but for the wrong reason, not to end America’s reckless policy of appeasement toward Turkey, but for his political gain. To maintain the support of his Evangelical base, the constituency that propelled him to victory in 2016. A narcissist driven by self-interest and a desire for personal acclaim, Trump is indifferent to broader considerations. Subsequently, he sanctioned Turkey’s egregious assault and ethnic displacement of our Kurdish allies in Syria, committing a grave strategic error and forging a close alliance with Erdoğan-.
Following his release from the Turkish prison, Pastor Andrew Brunson elaborated on his experience:
“On the day of the trial, no one could predict the outcome. Not even the USA. On the way to the court, I packed two bags: one for prison and one for freedom. I now know that during those last moments, Erdogan was under pressure to put the ‘dark priest’ – that is what he is still calling me – back in prison. There were protests in the streets, people burning U.S. dollars. They hated me. But at the same time, the sanctions were unbearable. As the Economist wrote at the time, I was the most expensive prisoner ever.”
‘I will not feel completely safe again’ | eKathimerini.com
The United States, a nuclear and economic powerhouse, must decisively counter Turkey’s attempts at extortion and opposition to Western interests and values. It is nonsensical to continue to support and appease the detrimental Turkish government under the guise of curbing the expansion of other perilous regimes.