Turkey will not be cute boy anymore

mab@hurriyet.com.tr

MEHMET ALİ BİRAND

Those who monitor closely Turkey’s foreign relations know very well what I am about to say now, especially our retired ambassadors who have witnessed these policies one by one.

Turkey, especially during the Cold War era, since the 1950s, was one of the “cutest children” of the West. As a loyal NATO ally, it was a country that would fulfill every duty assigned to it and did so without asking questions.

It was known how Ankara would vote and what policy it would follow. In an international meeting, whatever the American delegation voted for, Turkish delegation voted the same.

Not only the U.S. was impressed; Europe also was very pleased with this “cute child.”

And why shouldn’t they be?

For years, Turkey stood like a shield at Europe’s east against a possible Soviet attack. It blocked communism from spreading. For this, it nourished a giant army.

It did not pay much attention to developments in the Middle East, which the United States and Europe saw as Turkey’s back gardens. It was not persistent on Palestine issues. It expanded its strategic cooperation with Israel.

It never spoiled the games the West was playing.

What do you think Turkey got in exchange for that?

A little bit of money, an IMF prescription whenever its economy collapsed, and a lot of criticism to listen to. It never received the needed support from Europe or the U.S. It never got more than worn out arms and high-interest military credits. Its human rights and democracy vices, meanwhile, were always held against it; it was always frowned upon.

Nobody cared about Turkey in the international arena. It was one of the last countries to be consulted in regional problems. It was the same with Arabs, with the Balkans and the Caucuses. In the international media, it was only referred to with negative stories, and with films like “Midnight Express.”

Now I look back and see that it was nothing to be a good boy; being a naughty child is better.

Everybody’s after the naughty child

Be sure that international relations are no different from interpersonal relations. Kids who do not create problems, who are mild-natured, are loved by family members but are not taken seriously. It is the naughty kids in the neighborhood always attract the most attention.

The word “naughty” is used for those persons and countries that do not listen to the family or neighborhood elders and that do not respect the rules.

Turkey is now in the naughty position in the eyes of the Western world.

Some define it as a country ambitious to show force.

For others, Turkey has started to defend its rights.

It shows its existence in the Mediterranean; it flies its flag. Nobody can open their mouths when it slams the Israeli government. It gives democracy lessons to Syria. It advises secularism to Egypt. It is very active in the Balkans and the Caucasus. It defends the rights of Somalia and the Palestinians.

It contradicts Washington. It can make different arguments.

It can stand up to Europe.

Something quite different is happening.

Big brothers in the neighborhood are running after this naughty boy to get him back on track. The poor of the neighborhood are happy to have someone defending their rights. And they are admiring and applauding the new boy.

Everybody wants a piece of Turkey. Some criticize it harshly; some applaud it. But the international public is watching Ankara. The international media that only criticized up to now is praising Turkey.

Naughtiness may have its virtues but this game has to be calculated very carefully and managed well.

The economy has to be strong. Bleeding internal wounds (like the Kurdish issue) have to be cured.

If you can do it, Turks, then naughtiness is a good thing. If you cannot, then go back to being a nice boy again.

via Turkey will not be cute boy anymore – Hurriyet Daily News.