|
tweakabelle -> RE: Turkey and Libya (7/7/2011 12:44:17 AM)
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: HeatherMcLeather
quote:
Is Turkey doing it because its right, doing it because of fear, or doing it because they are simply mad at Gadaffi? Because it's in their own self-interest to do so. they are betting on the rebels winning. They hope, that because they were generous backers they will gain various benefits, such as:
1. Access to Libyan oil.
2. An ally in the Mediterranean
3. Another democratic Muslim state in the area
4. Goodwill from other NATO & EU members
5. Greater acceptance as a responsible member of the international community
6. A bunch of other things I haven't thought of
For someone who said, few posts earlier, they weren't up on the nuances of the situation, this looks like a pretty sharp analysis to me.
Turkey is enjoying a period a relative stability, democracy and growth. It's been a long time member of NATO and for the past few decades, its gaze has been directed towards the West. Its attempt to join the European Union seems to have floundered and this combined with a few other events (eg the Israeli attack on the Turkish vessel in the Gaza freedom flotilla) has caused Turkey to re-think its role in the region. It's worth remembering that Turkey is located at the meeting point of Asia and Europe.
Turkey is forging closer relations with the Muslim world (including Syria and Iran) and taking a regional leadership role, a role that Turks see as reflecting their size and importance in the region. Egypt's stagnation under Mubarak, subservience to US/Israeli interests and internal turmoil as it transits to democracy, have created a kind of regional leadership vacuum. Relations with Libya, both a Mediterranean and Muslim State, may be seen in this light.
So Turkish aid is good for the Libyans (anything that helps get rid of Ghaddafi is good for Libya) and Turkey has a lot to gain from another democratic Mediterranean Muslim State, economically and diplomatically. It's also worth remembering that Turkey's increasing prosperity is a good example of how democracy can and does work in the Muslim world.
Personally I feel the emergence of strong independent democratic regional powers such as Turkey (or Brazil in South America) is good for the world generally. Those who prefer Western hegemony might have a few more concerns and fears from such developments.
|
|
|
|
