Erdoğan playing to the crowds

While Arabs cheer Erdoğan’s rhetoric, Turkey’s efforts to stop the war in Gaza have not gone unnoticed in the West. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Erdoğan’s adviser’s close contacts with the main Arab players in the region seems to have even impressed the French. Apparently, the French officials, who were active in peace efforts, are appreciative of Turkish contribution to the declaration of dual cease-fire.

Turkey is actually set for mission impossible in its Middle Eastern policies. On the one hand it is trying to reconcile Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, or PA. On the other hand it is trying to unite the Arab world divided between those who wishes Hamas to be accepted as a reality and those who oppose Hamas.

Not only those in the Arab world but even those in the Western world realize the need to accept Hamas as a player; that the corrupted regime of the Palestinian authority has lost even the support of those living in West Bank. They accept the fact that Israel’s disproportionate action will not serve peace. But only Erdoğan talks about all this openly. While every other country pursues a policy based on more fine-tuning, Erdoğan carries his heart on his sleeve. "I am emotional. My emotionalism is for the ones in Gaza," said Erdoğan. But; leaders have no luxury of being emotional while conducting their policies.

The prime minister said Israel kept Hamas officials for the "well-being" of Mahmoud Abbas. "We did not hold elections for the well-being of Mr. Abbas. Elections were held for democracy, Mr. Abbas has to live with the consequences of the elections," he said. This, to my knowledge is the first time a Turkish official openly criticizes the PA. I am certain that the PA must have been warned many times by the Turkish officials about their mistakesÉbehind the scenes. What is the right method? To warn behind the scenes or to criticize in front of the world? Which one is result oriented? Trying to pull Hamas to a more moderate line with efforts behind the scenes or to publicly endorse Hamas to the point of being seen in the world as Hamas’ supporter?

Also, another relevant question is obviously whether Erdoğan is pursuing a result oriented policy or whether he is after electoral gains.

Erdoğan gave the latest example of his highly questionable rhetoric in Brussels. He linked the opening of entry talks on energy chapter with the Nabucco natural gas pipeline project. "If we are faced with a situation where the energy chapter is blocked, we would, of course, review our position," he said.

Although Erdoğan had to readjust his rhetoric, Turkey could not avoid being accused as black mailing the European Union. The Turkish diplomats have been "quietly and politely," telling the EU that while the 27 nation bloc is getting ready to enter a highly encompassing cooperation with Turkey on Nabucco, it is a contradiction that the bloc is letting a small country (Greek Cyprus) hijack talks on the energy chapter. And that it should be EU’s job to deal with this contradiction and that the opening of entry talks will certainly help the outcome of talks on the Nabucco project. What is being said diplomatically might be seen as amounting to what Erdoğan said openly. Actually it is not. But even if the two messages meant the same thing, with Erdoğan’s rhetoric, you can be sure of being accused of abusing your position and not certain to get the result you want. But of course being result oriented is one thing playing to the crowds is another.