Turkey has always been an elusive player in the international political arena. As a member of NATO, it has often had friction with the United States and Europe, and even openly defied Western sanctions and will.
Not long ago, Turkey did two things that made the West unhappy: First, it froze the assets of 770 people and a US association on the grounds of "financing terrorism";Second, it was pointed to the export of a large number of sensitive items to Russia, including chips, communication equipment, etc. These moves have undoubtedly worsened Turkey's relations with the West and made Turkey's position within NATO even more awkward. Why is Turkey doing this?And what does it get out of it?
On December 24, Turkey's official gazette published a ruling that decided to freeze the assets of 770 people and a U.S.-based ** association on suspicion of financing terrorism.
Among these individuals and groups are more than 200 individuals accused of being linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Islamic State (ISIS), as well as the Niagara Society, which is linked to Gulen, the leader of the 2016 coup attempt. The move is a step taken by Turkey to combat two major threats at home and in its neighborhood.
Kurdish forces are Turkey's old adversaries, and they have long been active in southeastern Turkey and neighboring Iraq and Syria in an effort to create a transnational Kurdish autonomous region. Turkey believes that Kurdish forces are a threat to *** and territorial integrity, so it has repeatedly struck them militarily.
The United States and Europe, on the other hand, see the Kurdish forces as allies in the fight against ISIS, giving them ** and financial support. This makes Turkey very angry, believing that the West is behind the support of **ism and terrorism, undermining Turkey's interests and stability. Turkey's freezing of Western assets is to cut off the funds of Kurdish armed forces** and weaken their strength, and at the same time it is a kind of retaliation and warning to the West.
Another enemy of Turkey, the Gulen movement, a group led by Gulen, a religious leader living in the United States, is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey** and linked to the attempted coup d'état in 2016. That coup resulted in 265 deaths and 1,440 injuries, with Turkey** Erdogan sparing.
Turkey** identified the Gulen movement as behind the coup and demanded that the United States extradite Gulen back to Turkey for trial, but the United States has always refused. Turkey** then launched a large-scale purge that arrested and fired tens of thousands of military personnel, judges, teachers, and other public officials suspected of being associated with the Gulen movement.
Turkey's freezing of the assets of the United States is aimed at striking at the economic support of the Gulen movement and preventing them from continuing to engage in subversive activities, and it is also a kind of pressure and pressure on the United States.
In addition to freezing Western assets, Turkey has also been directed to export a large number of sensitive items to Russia, including chips, communications equipment, etc., which are subject to US and European export controls aimed at preventing them from entering Russia, as they can be used in military and aerospace fields.
According to an analysis by the Financial Times, Turkey exported 1$5.8 billion in sensitive products, three times the same period last year. This move is a measure taken by Turkey to promote cooperation and interests with Russia.
While Turkey and Russia disagree on some issues, such as the civil wars in Syria and Libya, where they support different sides, they have broad scope for cooperation on other fronts. In the energy sector, Turkey is an important customer of Russian natural gas and an important channel for the delivery of Russian gas to Europe.
Over the years, the two countries have also cooperated in the construction of two natural gas pipelines, the "Turkish Stream" and the "Southern Line", which have further strengthened energy complementarity and mutual benefit. In the military sphere, Turkey is a member of NATO, but refuses to participate in sanctions against Russia, and instead buys S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia, causing discontent and sanctions from the United States and Europe.
Turkey believes that by buying ** from Russia, it will not only improve its own defense capability, but also get rid of its dependence on the West and maintain its independence and sovereignty. In the field of economy and trade, Turkey and Russia also have close exchanges, and the amount of the two countries reached $25 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $100 billion in 2024.
Turkey exports sensitive goods to Russia in order to meet Russia's needs and increase its own income, but also in exchange for Russia's support and preferences in other areas.
In addition to striking at its enemies and enhancing its cooperation and interests, Turkey has a deeper reason for freezing Western assets and providing sensitive goods to Russia, that is, to demonstrate its strength and status. Turkey is a country of more than 80 million people, with strong military and economic power, as well as a long history and cultural traditions.
Turkey's leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is an ambitious politician who wants to restore Turkey's influence in the Middle East and Eurasia, and even rebuild the glory of the former Ottoman Empire. Turkey does not want to be led by the West, nor by Russia, but wants to go its own way, cooperating or confronting different countries according to its own interests and judgments.
Turkey's challenge to the West is to demonstrate its strength and status, to make the West respect and accept it, and to let other countries see its value and influence.
Turkey's freezing of Western assets and the supply of sensitive goods to Russia is a complex diplomatic strategy that is both targeted and comprehensive. Turkey's moves have undoubtedly brought more tension and conflict to its relations with the West, and have also brought more difficulties and challenges to NATO's unity and coordination.
Turkey is not alone, and its cooperation with Russia and other countries has also brought certain benefits and guarantees to itself. Turkey's diplomacy is a high-risk, high-reward gamble, and whether it succeeds depends on whether it can balance the interests and pressures of all parties, as well as the changes and developments in the international situation.