The attitude of the United States towards Turkey has been volatile, especially in the United StatesMiddle EastOn regional issues, the two countries often disagree. Recently, it was reported that Turkey was exposed to the export of sensitive products to Russia, which sparked outrage in the United States. The United States intends to impose sanctions on Turkey in order to put pressure on it to force it inIsraeli-Palestinian conflictand cooperation with Russia. However, this seems to be a blow to Turkey, but the real purpose behind it may be that the United States is thereMiddle EastThe overall strategy of the region. Let's take a closer look at the reasons behind this incident.
The United States asMiddle EastThe regional superpower has long faced challenges from countries such as Iran. While the confrontation between the United States and Iran is fierce, Turkey's behavior as a NATO ally of the United States in the region is equally unpleasant for the United States. Turkey is not only inIsraeli-Palestinian conflictIt is opposed to the United States on the issue, and on the issue of Western sanctions against Russia, it has become the main channel for Russia to obtain sensitive goods. According to reports, in the first nine months of this year, Turkey exported $1 to Russia$5.8 billion for sensitive products, three times the amount of the same period last year. Among the sensitive goods exported to Russia by Turkish companies in different ways, there are 45 categories of products that are banned from being exported to Russia by the United States. Seeing that Turkey has repeatedly confronted the United States on these issues, the United States has finally had enough of it and intends to take action to stop Turkey's behavior.
The United States has been grappling with the threat posed by Iran, but has rarely been able to agree with Turkey. Turkey as the United States inMiddle East, but almost always at odds with the United States. While the U.S. hostility toward Iran is evident to all, Turkey's actions are more embarrassing to the U.S. by comparison. As a member of NATO, Turkey has contradicted the United States on a number of issues, which makes the United States feel unbearable. First of all, inIsraeli-Palestinian conflictTurkey and the United States have always taken different positions. Turkey has always supported the rights and interests of the Palestinian people and has taken a tough stance against Israel, which is in stark contrast to the position of the United States. Secondly, on the issue of Western sanctions against Russia, Turkey has not only failed to comply with Western bans, but has become one of the main channels for Russia to obtain sensitive goods. Recently, Turkey was revealed to have exported a large number of sensitive products to Russia, including those banned by the United StatesMilitaryequipment, etc. This kind of behavior is undoubtedly a major stimulus for the United States and further deepens the contradictions between the two countries.
With so many disputes, the United States finally couldn't bear it anymore and decided to take action. According to the Financial Times, the United States said that the United States and its allies will have to take enforcement action if Turkey does not crack down on the export of sensitive products to Russia. The intention of the United States has been very clear: if Turkey does not change its behavior, the United States will impose sanctions on Turkish companies suspected of violating sanctions. In this regard, the Turkish side must feel a lot of pressure. However, Turkey is not the only NATO country that has violated the sanctions ban. Prior to this, foreign media disclosed that companies in many European countries have bypassed Western sanctions through Russia's neighbors and exported a large number of "prohibited" products to the Russian market. This even involves British criminal syndicates, which sell stolen construction machinery to Russia through smuggling channels. Needless to say, it is not uncommon for companies of European countries to export goods to Russia through third parties. European countries** are also importing Russia through other countriesOilRefined fuel. It can be seen that it is actually normal for Turkish companies to import sensitive products from companies in the United States and European countries, and then resell them to Russia through third countries. Therefore, the sanctions of the United States against Turkey seem to be a bit of a fuss.
The U.S. anger at Turkey actually hides deeper considerations. First of all, the United States is inMiddle EastThe region's position is challenged by Iran and is difficult to maintain. Turkey inMiddle EastThe behavior disappointed the United States, because Turkey was thereIsraeli-Palestinian conflictand cooperation with Russia and other issues, both of which are opposed to the United States. This makes the United States feel that its tactics are under threat and therefore needs to take action against Turkey to demonstrate its influence in the region. Second, the United States has long been very vigilant about Russia's operational Xi, and Turkey's behavior is a reminder for the United States. Russia is the main adversary of the United States, and Turkey's becoming Russia's partner will undoubtedly deepen the strategic concerns of the United States. Therefore, the United States took advantage of the incident of Turkey's export of sensitive products to Russia to once again focus on Russia in order to achieve the goal of containing Russia.
The anger of the United States against Turkey may be more than that, it is more with the United States as a wholeMiddle EastStrategies are closely linked. Turkey is negotiating a gas deal with Russia and plans to build a large gas trading platform in Turkey in order to export more Russian gas to Europe. This is undoubtedly a threat to the United States, because it means that Russia will increase its influence in the European market, and at the same time it will weaken the position of the United States in the region. By putting pressure on Turkey, the United States hopes to force Turkey to back down on these issues in order to assert its own positionMiddle EastThe status and interests of the region.
However, the actions of the United States against Turkey did not receive unanimous support among European countries. The European Union had planned to impose a new round of sanctions on Russia to stop the existence of such "illegal" transactions, but many member states opposed it. This shows that European countries are no longer surprised by Turkey's way of dealing with Russia, which is actually a very normal thing. This also reflects the divergent interests of some European countries** and their companies in transactions. In fact, a number of European countries** will cooperate with China, India and Southeast Asian countries to bring RussiaOilImports to Europe, while some countries also import Russian gas indirectly through transit stations in Turkey. In this case, it is in the interests of European countries and companies for Turkish companies to import so-called "sensitive products" to the United States and European countries, and then resell them to Russia through third parties. Therefore, the US sanctions against Turkey do not look normal in Europe and are somewhat excessive.
Overall, the U.S. sanctions against Turkey may not really be motivated by dissatisfaction and anger at Turkey's behavior, but more out of its own presenceMiddle Eastconsideration of the strategic interests of the region. The United States wants to defend itself by striking TurkeyMiddle Eastregional status and prestige, and put pressure on Russia. The anger of the United States against Turkey is more like a pretext for inMiddle EastThe region has readjusted its sphere of influence and strategic layout.
The U.S. move to impose sanctions on Turkey seems to be aimed at Turkey, but the real purpose behind it is the U.S. presenceMiddle EastOverall strategic considerations for the region. Turkey's antagonistic behavior with the United States has given the United States an excuse to readjust its positionMiddle EastThe status and influence of the region, and at the same time to put pressure on Russia. Although the US sanctions against Turkey have not been unanimously supported in European countries, for its part, the United States has already taken what it deems necessary and will continue to put pressure on Turkey in this way. However, such unilateral sanctions may not solve the problem, but will exacerbate the contradictions and confrontation between the United States and Turkey. Middle EastThe situation in the region is already very complex, and unilateral actions by either party could lead to more uncertainty and conflict. Therefore, all parties should resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation in order to achieve regional peace and stability.