Turkey’s strategic mistake

Turkish officials’ latest decision to deploy a missile defense shield comprising an early warning radar system on their territory, which is in fact an effort made on behalf of NATO and the United States, is a major strategic mistake.

Turkish officials have repeatedly declared their opposition to the Zionist regime and have demanded the highest level of punishment for the perpetrators of the attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which left nine Turkish citizens dead on May 31, 2010.

But paradoxically, they have also agreed to allow NATO to establish an early warning radar system in Turkey, exactly in line with the U.S. policy of protecting Israel, which is currently in a precarious situation in the region.

This is a clear example of Turkey’s double standards on sensitive foreign policy issues.

Other countries in the region have harshly censured the move, and it will have serious repercussions for Turkey’s Islamist government.

In response to the withering criticism, Turkish officials say their decision will have no impact on Iran and other neighboring countries.

However, Iran cannot remain silent on such a sensitive decision because the move is meant to curb Iran’s missile capabilities.

This new stance shows that the Turkish government is totally oblivious to Iran’s position on foreign policy issues.

If implemented, the decision will greatly damage Turkey’s relations with Iran, which is a neighboring regional power, and thus Tehran will make every effort to inform Ankara about its detrimental consequences.

Hopefully, these efforts will persuade Turkey to halt the process and reassume its former position as a regional power.

MP Mohammad Kowsari is a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Majlis.

via Turkey’s strategic mistake – Tehran Times.