The Turkologist thinks that Turkey is isolated
“New geopolitical process commences in the region. This is Russia’s returning to the Middle East,” says the Director of the Oriental Studies Institute of National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Ruben Safrastyan, in the conversation with “Aravot”, analyzing the current political process in Syria, in particular the reasons for the concentration of Russian forces in Syria. Our interlocutor mentions that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia for the first time is trying to make actions in the Middle East. “We see that Russia is trying to do it not only by military force but also by the wide use of diplomatic opportunities: the recent negotiation with Israeli Prime Minister, debates with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, says the Turkologist and add, – Putin is trying to use the fact that Syrian authorities have appeared in a difficult situation, and the “Islamic state” is carrying out large-scale operations across the Syrian territory, while the Western-allied countries, the US are unable to give adequate counterattacks.”
Mr. Safrastyan noted that Russia indeed has concentrated its forces on helping Bashar Assad. “But the biggest threat is the “Islamic state” for Bashar Assad. The experience of recent years shows that both Turkey and the West are more lenient. They failed to take decisive action,” says Mr. Safrastyan.
Speaking about Turkey’s involvement in the Syrian conflict, in which Turkey is always negotiating with major superstates on this issue, the Turkologist draws attention to the following fact. “On July 20, an agreement was reached between the United States of America and Turkey to fight against the “Islamic state”. But I think, later the Americans realized that Turkey is misleading them because actually Turkey is attacking not the “Islamic state” but the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. It is very interesting that General Allen, who was Obama’s envoy on Syrian matters and was carrying negotiations with Turkey, resigned. This comes to show that the Americans were disappointed. They realized that Turkey solves its domestic problems in the first place, it is trying to attack the Kurdish political party, which entered the parliament. Erdoğan is doing everything to create a one-party system of governance.”
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Ruben Safrastyan mentions that Turkey greatly hopes that with the help of the “Islamic state” it will get rid of Bashar al-Assad, and given this fact, it believes that Turkey and Russia have reached an agreement in the talks. “Turkey does everything to obstacle the fight against the “Islamic state”,” says our interlocutor.
The Syrian crisis, according to the Turkologist, causes great damages to the Armenian diaspora. The most established Armenian community disbanded. “I think this was one of Turkey’s most important goals. Certainly, Turkey is willing to solve a geopolitical matter, trying to get rid of Assad and weaken Syria, or doing so that Syria will dissolve, and be itself rid of the geopolitical rival. But thus, it also solves another key problem. The Armenian community in Syria is our Diaspora most established, nation preserved and national-spirit-brought up community. There was a great potential of Armenians under the nose of Turkey. One of its tasks is to get rid of the Armenian community. Kassab events are the vivid examples.” Turkey being involvement in the Syrian conflict, according to Mr. Safrastyan, has not appeared in an advantageous position. “If Russia’s involvement in this conflict grows up, which is taking place. Then very unfavorable conditions are created for Turkey.
Turkey did a very wrong thing to be involved in the Syrian crisis with such activeness and began fighting against the Assad regime. This mistake will become more vivid in the future that Turkey’s calculations were wrong. Turkey being involvement in the Middle East problems creates problems inside its country.
One thing I can clearly say that Turkey’s aspiration to become a leading country in the Middle East brings more damage, and further it goes, we will see this damage: the Kurdish factor is growing, the relations with Iran could be worse, the relations of Turkey with Egypt are very bad. Turkey is quite isolated from the Middle East rather than strengthens its positions as Erdoğan was dreaming.”
Hripsime HOVHANNISYAN,
“Aravot” daily
