Turkish government calls for improved relations with Bashar al-Assad

[Deleted member 457759]

Now that's what I call a pivot. It appears that Turkey is throwing in the towel with it's efforts to enter the EU and patching up relations with it's neighbors and Russia.

Another interesting note, America's foreign policy under Obama seems to be about as failed as George W Bushes. Fomenting civil unrest and fanning the flames of a civil war to overthrow Assad seems to have failed miserably. Looks like Russia will hang onto their Naval base in Tartus.

"We will increase the number of our friends. Turkey has normalized relations with Israel and Russia. I am sure that the same thing will happen on the Syrian track. We need it," Yildirim said during a meeting with the heads of Turkey’s ruling party’s regional departments.


"It is necessary to provide stability for the successful defeat of terrorism in Syria and Iraq."


http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160713/1042923113/turkey-syria-assad-reversal.html

 

[lfd0311]

But... But.... Turkey is a stalwart example of a moderate Muslim Democracy in the Middle East.....

 

[Bald1]

But... But.... Turkey is a stalwart example of a moderate Muslim Democracy in the Middle East.....

Lol, no shit. Turkey is on the fast track to becoming just another Islamic shit hole.

 

[BruceLeeOnTRT]

This is a pretty big play. Turkey is the second largest NATO army, and a friendly relationship with Russia could impact NATO'S plans to fortify the Eastern border.

 

[Bald1]

This is a pretty big play. Turkey is the second largest NATO army, and a friendly relationship with Russia could impact NATO'S plans to fortify the Eastern border.

I'm curious to see how this will impact potential membership for the remaining Balkan states as well.

 

[Islam Imamate]

But... But.... Turkey is a stalwart example of a moderate Muslim Democracy in the Middle East.....

This a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario for Turkey. Neither Bashar nor the opposition are squeaky clean actors but with Syria on the border I don't think Turkey has the option of standing by and doing nothing.

 

[lfd0311]

This a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario for Turkey. Neither Bashar nor the opposition are squeaky clean actors but with Syria on the border I don't think Turkey has the option of standing by and doing nothing.

Yeah. Appeasing militants on thier border and the ones in their country

 

[Rod1]

But... But.... Turkey is a stalwart example of a moderate Muslim Democracy in the Middle East.....

Turkey is also dealing with the rise of a kurdish state and millions of refugees, im pretty sure Turkey is finally throwing the towel.

 

[Islam Imamate]

Yeah. Appeasing militants on thier border and the ones in their country

I'm not a fan of the AKP government by any means but honestly this move does not reflect that poorly on them IMO. Aiding and abetting militants like ISIS was worse but even then it was in response to legitimate security concerns in regards to the Kurds. The whole situation is volatile and messy and is going to have serious consequences for Turkey, it was inevitable that they'd have to make some scumbag moves. Pretty much every country involved in this mess has.

They have realized that Bashar is not going anywhere and that trying to find some sort of settlement with him to end the civil war might be the best path to cleaning up this mess. I wish other countries would do something similar instead of myopically focusing on getting rid of Bashar to stick it to other side.

 

[RespectableDenizen]

I like how Turkey only chose to improve relations on the brink of defeat. When their tourism has hit rock bottom and when it appears Assad is going nowhere and has cut off the Turkish supply routes for rebels.

 

[Islam Imamate]

I like how Turkey only chose to improve relations on the brink of defeat. When their tourism has hit rock bottom and when it appears Assad is going nowhere and has cut off the Turkish supply routes for rebels.

The Turks gave it the ole college try but sometimes you gotta admit defeat and move on from there.

 

[Islam Imamate]

This is a pretty big play. Turkey is the second largest NATO army, and a friendly relationship with Russia could impact NATO'S plans to fortify the Eastern border.

I'm curious to see how this will impact potential membership for the remaining Balkan states as well.

Turkey is never getting into the EU at this rate, might as well cozy up to Papa Putin and play him off the EU and the rest of NATO for whatever perks the Turks can get.

 

[godking]

Now that's what I call a pivot. It appears that Turkey is throwing in the towel with it's efforts to enter the EU and patching up relations with it's neighbors and Russia.

Another interesting note, America's foreign policy under Obama seems to be about as failed as George W Bushes. Fomenting civil unrest and fanning the flames of a civil war to overthrow Assad seems to have failed miserably. Looks like Russia will hang onto their Naval base in Tartus.

"We will increase the number of our friends. Turkey has normalized relations with Israel and Russia. I am sure that the same thing will happen on the Syrian track. We need it," Yildirim said during a meeting with the heads of Turkey’s ruling party’s regional departments.


"It is necessary to provide stability for the successful defeat of terrorism in Syria and Iraq."


http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160713/1042923113/turkey-syria-assad-reversal.html

Looks like the war is entering its final stages.

ISIS is on the ropes.

Turkey is indirectly saying that they are done

The other "rebel" groups can hurt the Syrian goverment but they can't win.

Now all thats left is Saudi Arabia.

 

[Islam Imamate]

Looks like the war is entering its final stages.

ISIS is on the ropes.

Turkey is indirectly saying that they are done

The other "rebel" groups can hurt the Syrian goverment but they can't win.

Now all thats left is Saudi Arabia.

Never say never. Clinton could easily get elected and she's more of a war monger and friend to the Saudis than Obama.

I think you're probably right though. Even if Clinton gets in the White House with a mind to aggressively pursue Bashar's removal I think it would be too little too late. I doubt she's going to go forward with a full scale invasion because that would kill her chances at reelection.

 

[MicroBrew]

Erdogan also apologized to Russia for downing of the SU-24. Erdogan sure has had to climb down from his hubiristic arrogance.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36689801

 

[tramendous]

sounds like they miscalculated on who is going to win and are now switching sides. the isis bombings and sour russia relations must have played a part too

 

[godking]

Never say never. Clinton could easily get elected and she's more of a war monger and friend to the Saudis than Obama.

I think you're probably right though. Even if Clinton gets in the White House with a mind to aggressively pursue Bashar's removal I think it would be too little too late. I doubt she's going to go forward with a full scale invasion because that would kill her chances at reelection.

Anything short of a full scale US invasion means that Bashar stays in power and the "moderate" rebels slowly diminish.

ISIS will be done as a legitimate threat in under two years

Nobody not named John McCain is dumb enough to push for a full scale US invasion as you said anyone pushing this should enjoy their single term in office.

I share your worry about Clinton's friendship with the Saudi's.