In looking to upgrade their air defense system, Turkey had a choice: buying the advanced Russian S-400 systems, or more expensive, US-made alternatives. Turkey chose to buy Russian, and NATO isn’t happy.
While NATO was initially just complaining the S-400 was incompatible with their own systems, top NATO General Petr Pavel told reporters this week that Turkey is likely to be punished by the alliance for not buying American.
“The principal of sovereignty obviously exists in acquisition of defense equipment, but the same way that nations are sovereign in making their decision, they are also sovereign in facing the consequences of that decision,” Pavel insisted.
Pavel dismissed reporter questions about the Turkish government’s recent anti-democracy moves, insisting nobody is perfect. Apparently the same leeway does not apply for the question of buying American weapons.
Russia’s S-400, and its predecessor the S-300, have been praised as advanced, cost-effective alternatives to American anti-aircraft systems. The US is used to having a virtual monopoly on this market, by ensuring that no one buys Russian without facing some very public criticism.
At least the US is being a little more honest about where it’s priorities are. Human rights? Just a talking point, not something to push. After all, the US has plenty of problems with that, too.
Turkey probably isn’t letting the rest of NATO peek under the hood either, at least not for free. NATO only tried to coup Erdogan once.
that’s one of the contributions that Trump has made, intentionally or not. he has forced to the surface a lot of unsopken agendas that have been driving the US official policies.
Orwellian times. You are free — but you get punished for exercising your freedom.
Turkey is used to that. US and Germany support PKK in Turkey, as their arms and money does not grow on their fig trees or are supplied by Allah via Magic Carpet Airlines.
Then we spread PKK into Syria and Iraq. We let PKK “liberate” from ISIS placeholders Kirkuk and Sinjar in Iraq, and Manbij, Raqqa and gas fields in Syria. And had it not been for Turkey’s intervention in Jarabulus and Al-Bab, Kurds would be sitting pretty there as welll — blocking and isolating Turkey from Middle East, both Syria and Iraq.
Had it not been for Barzani and Peshmerga — PKK would have now ruled Iraqi Kurdistan. Barzani referendum on independence caught US and Israel by surprise, and Iraqi PKK totally flat footed. This allowed Iraq to quickly take back the ill gotten gains — Kirkuk and Sinjar.
And for US humanitarians — this has FINALLY allowed poor Yazidi to return home. US went into Iraq to save Yazidi from ISIS. US kicked out ISIS, but gave the city to PKK Kurds, keeping OUT Peshmerga. Their leader Barzani was on good terms with Turkey, Baghdad and Iran. The referendum was the only way for Peshmrga to keep power away from US-Israeli PKK. Now, the negotiations will start with Baghdad — and remains to be seen how desparate is US to keep PKK foot in the door in Iraq.
So, still unhappy with Turkey? Turkey’s economy today is powered by trade with Russia, Iran and China. EU and US have nothing to offer. When Turkey requested Patriot systems — it was not allowed to have them. Yes, three were provided for a short time after Turkish plane was downed by Syria — but Turkey WAS NOT ALLOWED to operate them! Three crews were provided — from Ndtherlands, Germany and US. Cannot guess why? Because Turkey like Iran are potential endmies of Israel. And while Iran is an open target, Turkey was considered under control — but not allowed to have the technology that might prevent Israel from attacking it. Thus, Turkey was denied defensive capabilities, while at the same time being geographically cordoned off from Middle East. This was prevented by joint Turkish and Russian air operations against ISIS at Al-Bab — a strategic spot connecting east and west Syria.
So now that things are being thwarted — and Turkey is actually in coordination with Russia entering Idlib — NATO fury is showing. Turkey wanted to own Patriots, and independently operate them. Also, those Patriots were dismantled and taken out of Turkey as “not needed”! So now, Turkey is bad. The deal with Russia contains model of technology sharing. Similar to deals Russia established a while ago with India, China and Iran. These are tense times in the Middle East — and the wild card is always Israel. It can force US hand in a manner that may or may not help anyone — but will solidify anti-American politics of the Middle East for decades to come.
More terrific analysis from Bianca…
thank you for a very important information about how NATO and Russia sell their weapons system under different conditions. your understanding of the Turkey-NATO relationship based on the Israeli interest is incisive.
but i always thought that PKK was communist-socialist, which i assumed would make a poor ally to NATO neoliberal imperialists including Israel as a military garrison state of the global for-private-profit banking system.
some kurds (i am suspecting that they call themselves Peshmerga now) have enthusiastically been playing the role of the most efficient mercenary army for NATO’s 2003 war on Iraq, in exchange for an oil rich region of Iraq as their independent homeland (i’m assuming NATO promised that much, sincerely or not). i also thought Israel was behind the referendum, though the US as a government was not. plus, Turkey / Iran / iraq rejected the referendum. the western media hardly say anything about PKK’s position on or involvement in the referendum. i am assuming the Kurds are also divided between PKK (left) and Peshmerga (right). care to clarify?
Long, long time ago, and down the memory hole — there was a Soviet Union that was treatened by NATO attempts to weaponize Turkey. Soviet Union in turn helped Kurds’ rebellions. Even before the formal end of Soviet Union, the support ended. Partially, because of finances, but mostly out of priority. Increasingly, US and its allies, including Turkey, moved Islamic resources into Russian Caucases — and fomented secessionism. There was Gulen’s Hizmet, Saudi & Co Salafism, and US and European NGO, “activists” and media to support and give sympathetic account of religious extremism, and subsequent militarization. Russia, having opened up the freedom of religion, was unable to fund the mushrooming interest in religion — until recently an almost forbidden fruit. This is why Russia’s pro-Western government gladly opened its door to
Foreign funding of mosques, charity, islamic education. Until it became clear what was the result. Having to deal with armed islamic extremism in three of its republics — Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan, Russia had withdrawn from supporting Kurds. But a new sponsor came forward. US and allies in Europe and Middle East. Why play Kurd independence card? Turkey was taken into NATO, but was not enthusiastic member. From the beginning US supported Islamist preacher Gulen, as a means of attracting voters whi did not buy into NATO and its newly redefined Kemalism, a peculiar secular democracy under Army control. Islamic preacher was merely a magnet for the alienated, to be kept in check. But subsequent bloody episodes of Army toppling undesirable givernments have proven to NATO that Turkey could not be easily colonised. Thus — a more robust support for Kurds, both politically and ligistically (money/arms) came about. Every time Turkish elected government stepped a foot out of line, Kurds would launch an attack — usually some unsuspecting police station, or government building. I recommend anyone to examine Turkey period under NATO, from fifties to 2000. Wikipedia would do just fine. The sheer scale of oppression that was employed against population was vast, and generally underreported in the West. Everuthing was placed under simplified banner of good secular, Kemalist tradition, vs. backwards Turkey. But the turn of the century brought a change. Erdogan, a former mayor iof Istambul, jjailed for hus politics got a permission to form a party, Justice and Development — to introduce neoliberal reforms. His ally was West approved Islamic leader Fetullah Gulen. The party won overwhelming majority. Its beginnings were rocky, as there were misgivings in the West about letting Erdogan take power. They tried to ban his party on a frivolous charge of supporting Islamism by allowing religious eomen to wear a scarf to Universities. Erdogan had to pull back the legislation, as Army was already threatening action. To skip a decade that resulted in Erdogan outing Gulen and his exile in US, and the economic miracle in developing trade with Russia, Central Asia and China, and a major military plot thwarted, with majority of top brass convicted to long sentences. But pro-NATO opposition Republican party became deeply involved with Soros and Gulen NVO activism that tried daily fight for causes — from extreme left to right — to keep government on the edge. It did not stop Turkey from joinining Shangai Cooperation Organization on the begginer, partner level in 2013. Back in 2008 in August when Georgia attacked South Ossetia, Turkey did not join in the anti-Russia politics. Quite the contrary — it upheld Montreaux Convention that give limited access to non-coastal militaries to Black Sea. US could not dispatch armada to protect Georgia. Consequently, South Ossetia and Abkhazia declared independence. In Turkey, this was popular, in spite of pro-NATO media, NGO universe and politicians supporting US position. Erdigan was at some point so strong politically, that he iffered Kurd fighters amnesty, fir laying down arms. Thousands took advantage, and came down from the mountains. It ended by a bloody attack in Turkish military —, and Erdogan got blamed for being weak. So, back to desirable and predictable Kurdush role if two-by-four in service of NATO goals. Kurds were particularly active both militarily and poitically in 2015-2016 period when Erdogan had to run for weak president and his party did not get the two thirds majority to form a government or change constitution from a weak parliamentary to strong presidential firm of government. In that interregrum Kurds received enourmous help from sll Western countries, particularly Germany. Erdogan was during that time abundantly demonized in western press, accusing him if sponsoring terrorism, to smuggling ISIS oil. And strangelly enough, hours before swearing in Davutoglu’s government, Turkey shot down Russian plane. The stage was set to marginalize Erdogan, and cut the deal between Davutiglu and Germany. To cut this short, Erdigan prevailed, Davutoglu and hus government got vote of no cinfidence. New Erdigan government restored relationship with Russia. In six weeks a botched coup failed to assasinate Erdogan, and the pricess of getting givernment, media, universities, military and police disentangled from Sorros and Gulen networks had started.
In Iraq, a less complicated story. Peshmerga tradition goes back to the father of today’s leader, Masoud Barzani. They happily accepted US support against former US client Hussein. Over time, they learned that they could not act in their best interest, but had to accept the tole if Turkush PKK, that is — the agent of provocation as needed. PKK could do it, as they did not have string links with population. Peshmerga on the ither hand could not exist as a militia if they are asked to perform dubious duties, and shed blood for foreigners. This is when PKK was brought over, and started to recruit. They were American favorites, and it looked like by magic, ISIS taken Kurkuk and Sinjar ended up in PKK hands. Years before, Peshmerga alliowed Turkey to bomb PKK in Iraq. Barzani cultivated goid relations with Erdigan and Baghdad. But PKK became political threat, as they claimed that Barzani is betraying them and they would never get independence without US help. After Sinjar, when US deliberatelly and publucly snubbed Barzani and Peshmerga, a high stake game took place. Barzani anmounced referendum for independence, and US and the West had to be against — as Barzani was getting power back. The outcome of the referendum resulted in swift return of Iraqi territory that was never part of unofficial Kurdistan — Kirkuk and Sinjar. Now, while there will be calls in Iraq to defeat Kyrds outright, I believe politics will now take place. And while US supported Gorran party us trying to blame Barzani for the liss if Kurkuk — it remain ti be seen how will politics play out. US can now chastize Iraq all it wants — but the fact is, US DUD NOTHINGBTO SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE. I know why and you know why — but to ordinary Kurds in Turkey, Siria, Iran or Iraq it means ONE thing. When push comes to shove —
After the coup attempt last year by the assistance of probably NATO and Obama Admin, Turkey doesn’t trust them any longer, especially when it comes to defensive weapons where the U.S. and NATO can shut them down if they decide to directly regime change Turkey.
For Sure…!!!!!!!!! Turkey would have 2B crazy to use U.S. air defenses that could be compromised by their AMERICAN manufacturers…!!!!
American weapons would be better against Russian aircraft, since the Russians would not have the codes to defeat them.
However, American weapons would be useless against the Israelis or American themselves, since they would have the codes.
So who is Turkey defending against? Who is likely to attack them? Turkey seems to fear the ones who tried a coup against them.
The real aggressor has been the Americans. They want everybody to kiss their arse. They don’t know anything about history. They will self destruct sooner than later
Punished. Sanctions. Punished.
I used to like America but not anymore.
They are the worst terrorists of the lot of them.
Yo… America… Look after your own people. Repair your infrastructure.
America was a great nation. Briefly.
when was that brief moment that America was great? a curious mind wants to know.
Ahhh. I knew someone would ask.
Now I don’t actually know when that was but there is a guy who knows that it was.
It is in this short Youtube clip. Actually one of the best I have ever seen.
“…NATO was initially just complaining the S-400 was incompatible with their own systems…”
In other words “we don’t want Turkey buying SAMs that we cannot turn off if we choose”
Like somebody else said, it’s like organised crime telling a business owner he’s got to use their slot machines and nobody else’s. We really have reached the gangster stage of capitalism.
Aahhh for the days when quality, service and value used to be the criteria for getting and holding market share. America uses Mafia style sales tactics; intimidation, bullying and punishment to “sell” their products.