Turkish wolf using the Western short-sightedness in Libya
Many Mediterranean countries are understandably
concerned about Turkey’s unfolding interests across a large part of the region
and its effort to establish footholds along the North African coast. Turkey’s
expansionism presages a series of developments that could trigger unrest and
changes in Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron’s reaction is
understandable; and it is expressed in a straightforward manner, contrary to
Italy’s prevarication and Germany’s apparent reluctance to speak out.
Step-by-step, Ankara is emerging as a regional
player with clout. Given the country’s previous and current record, however,
this does not bode well for the region. Its military partnership with Moscow in
Syria is paving the way for a significant Russian presence in Libya. Meanwhile,
inspired by its Ottoman past, Turkey wants to transform Libya, which is already
under its influence, into a potential springboard for moving masses of migrants
and refugees to Europe.
No one can ignore the looming threat of a fresh
migration wave across the Aegean and the purported astonishment of Turkish
officials over Greece’s failure to offer a heartfelt welcome to the devastated
hordes that are being forced by Ankara in the direction of the Greek islands.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu may be accusing Athens of mistreating
the masses being exploited by his country, but no one is really convinced of
Turkey’s motives. In fact, many are beginning to realize that should Turkey
achieve its objectives in Libya, the migration issue will acquire a new
dimension, potentially affecting not only European Union countries on its
southern coasts this time around, but mainland Europe as well.
Turkey’s now openly aggressive deployment in the
Mediterranean, its outrageous agreement with Libya – which marks an
indisputable violation of Greek rights and interests – the Turkish blockade of
a ship hired by Italy’s Eni to drill for gas inside Cyprus’ exclusive economic
zone, the harassment of the French frigate by the Turkish Navy, the maintenance
of the naval base near Vlore in Albania, and plans to set up both a naval and
air base in Libya, present huge challenges that the EU and the United States
must address without further delay.
Regrettably, the attention of once-omnipresent
Washington is fixed on the November 3 presidential election. The administration
is showing little interest in its traditional allies around the globe, giving
free rein to troublemakers that could seriously damage the West.
As Washington’s willingness to engage continues to
wane, a reluctant Berlin appears interested solely in the EU’s administrative
affairs, an ambivalent Rome is set to lose more because of its inertia – as was
precisely the case with Libya, which used to be in its sphere of influence –
and, finally, a reluctant Cairo makes a show of force one day and gives the
impression that it is not willing to act the next.
In this environment, the Turkish wolf is pleased and
assertive. The key governments in the West shortsightedly believe that Ankara
is harmless and, ultimately, can be negotiated with – like when Hitler was
building his war machine and some thought that he was merely trying on army
uniforms for domestic consumption.
