Deep down, a shallow Iran policy
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Haziran 24, 2009 00:00
On many an occasion we have praised the arguments of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu in favor of "strategic depth" in relations with Turkey’s neighbors. Along with this Davutoğlu term, we have acknowledged the wisdom in his pursuit of "zero problems" with the neighborhood. So, we cannot hide our concern at the shallowness of Davutoğlu’s comments that we reported yesterday urging Iranians to accept the results of a questionable election and move on. In one comment Monday, Davutoğlu managed to tie Turkey’s policy stance to a regime in Iran whose legitimacy is in serious trouble. He distanced Turkey from western allies, led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who have demanded a complete recount of Iranian election results. And he has linked Turkey to Russia, the only other significant country that has openly endorsed the status quo in Iran.
This is hardly a sophisticated diplomatic policy reflective of the desire to see the "strategic depth" that Davutoğlu has argued should be at the core of Turkish policy. Yes, Turkey has deep and historic ties with Iran, including a border that is the oldest unchanged frontier between two countries in the world.
Yes, Turkey has complex commercial relations with Iran today and the prospect of greater commercial relations tomorrow. Yes, Turkey has been wise to steer clear of the confrontational and arrogant policies of the United States that have contributed to the belligerence of Iran on many issues including its nuclear aspirations.
But the situation is quickly changing. U.S. President Barack Obama is seeking a new and more balanced relationship with Iran, one that is in fact costing him serious political capital in Washington. He has followed this up with the now-famous speech in Cairo that both acknowledged America’s past failings and called for a new spirit of dialogue.
Against this backdrop of dynamic change, hundreds of thousands of Iranians are calling for change as well. We see no "McRevolution" on the streets of Iran. As we have pointed out, the protesters by and large are not challenging the tenets of the 1979 revolution that sent the reviled Shah and his family packing. They are demanding the country’s leadership follow through with the promise of that revolution and act in accord with the "will of the people."
There are enough questions about the conduct of the recent election to leave reasonable people unconvinced of its fairness. The government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has responded with brutality and a violation of basic democratic rights.
We are in accordance with Davutoğlu’s vision of a Turkey that plays its deserved role as a regional power. A reflexive and premature endorsement of a disputed poll in Iran that has been condemned around the world undermines Turkey’s stature, credibility and ability to claim such a role.
Yes, Turkey has complex commercial relations with Iran today and the prospect of greater commercial relations tomorrow. Yes, Turkey has been wise to steer clear of the confrontational and arrogant policies of the United States that have contributed to the belligerence of Iran on many issues including its nuclear aspirations.
But the situation is quickly changing. U.S. President Barack Obama is seeking a new and more balanced relationship with Iran, one that is in fact costing him serious political capital in Washington. He has followed this up with the now-famous speech in Cairo that both acknowledged America’s past failings and called for a new spirit of dialogue.
Against this backdrop of dynamic change, hundreds of thousands of Iranians are calling for change as well. We see no "McRevolution" on the streets of Iran. As we have pointed out, the protesters by and large are not challenging the tenets of the 1979 revolution that sent the reviled Shah and his family packing. They are demanding the country’s leadership follow through with the promise of that revolution and act in accord with the "will of the people."
There are enough questions about the conduct of the recent election to leave reasonable people unconvinced of its fairness. The government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has responded with brutality and a violation of basic democratic rights.
We are in accordance with Davutoğlu’s vision of a Turkey that plays its deserved role as a regional power. A reflexive and premature endorsement of a disputed poll in Iran that has been condemned around the world undermines Turkey’s stature, credibility and ability to claim such a role.