The Real Israeli Raid Fallout: Turkey with a Bomb?

esquire.com ^ | June 1, 2010 | Thomas P.M. Barnett

[Free ThinkerNY]

If you look beyond the international shouting match that began on Monday after Israel botched its handling of a Turkey-sponsored aid flotilla bound for Gaza, well, things look pretty shocking. Just because at least nine people are dead — Western casualties included — doesn't mean the boat raid itself is what "has the makings of a huge international fracas." And just because the Turkish foreign minister says "this attack is like 9/11" — which it isn't — doesn't mean Tel Aviv will take its eyes off what the Israelis actually perceive to be the larger threat: Iran's nuclear weapons.

Sure, President Obama probably nudged his ambassador to pull the trigger on the UN's head-spinning condemnation of Israel this morning. But in the days just before the attack, the UN was also finally reporting that Iran has sufficient enriched uranium for two nuclear devices, just as Israel was provocatively parking two diesel subs packed with nuclear cruise missiles off Iran's coast.

If you read between the lines, then, I would say Turkey got itself formally admitted into this matchless rivalry just in time.

Trust me: Ankara has about as much interest in the Palestinians as the rest of the Muslim regimes in the region; protesting their plight is a means to larger but self-serving ends. Turkey is pursuing a policy of "zero problems" with its neighbors, all right, but elevating its regional influence requires that Ankara not be trumped by Tehran's successful nuclear bid. And that's why Turkey is now committed to demonizing its old ally across the Mediterranean.

[marron]

Ankara has about as much interest in the Palestinians as the rest of the Muslim regimes in the region; protesting their plight is a means to larger but self-serving ends.

The Turks should understand that the same logic that justifies yet another arab country more than justifies an independent Kurdistan.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks,...

[WilliamofCarmichael]

I believe that Zaman is the AKP's (Erdoğan's) main press supporter.

Authoritative Turkish sources believe that if neighboring Iran acquires nuclear arms, there will definitely be a strong demand from within Turkey for the country to acquire the same weapons capabilities . . . But if the standoff [West v. Iran] is not resolved and Iran ends up possessing nuclear arms, Turkey will have no choice but to acquire similar weapons, contributing to a new and highly dangerous arms race in the region.

More..

"Official Turkish sources are of the belief that an Iran possessing nuclear arms will be disastrous not only for Turkey but also for the already volatile Middle Eastern region, which will turn into an area where countries will engage in a nuclear arms race.

"'Voices will increase tremendously in Turkey for the acquisition of nuclear arms as a means of deterrence against Iranian nuclear arms,' a Turkish diplomat said. . . .

"Turkey officially argues that if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, this does not mean Turkey will follow suit. Turkey is part of NATO's nuclear umbrella and that is sufficient, Ankara argues.

"But behind closed doors, Turkey is highly concerned about nearby Iran possessing nuclear arms. So the possibility that Turkey will also acquire nuclear weapons is highly possible.

"Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ told the Habertürk daily last week that Iran having nuclear arms will be a development against Turkey and will affect the country. He, however, stopped short of going into details.

"The Turkish government's efforts to dissuade Iran from acquiring nuclear arms should also be interpreted as a reflection of Turkish concerns over Tehran's dangerous game."

[End quotes]

Are we sure that it's entirely Israel that is Turkey's "target" .. or does Shi'a Iran worry Turkey as it worries Saudi Arabia? Yes, I know that Iran and Turkey trade.