Ostrich

"I am not a diplomat, I am a politician," he reiterated angrily, stressing he could not put up with an insult and not respond. "My diplomat," he said, "will rip off what is his right from the stomach of a lionÉ Rather than we consider what others would say to us and regulate our actions accordingly, others must think of what Turkey would say before taking an action. We have to all accept the greatness of Turkey and see that it is not fit for this country and nation to follow a shy or defeatist politics. Now, we have to stand tall!"

He was thankful of the "national unity" established in support of his "Davos walk out" and even appreciated the opposition’s support to his Davos behavior, but could not understand how it happened that despite a witch-hunt in the country against his critics, some writers were still opposing the way he behaved. The moderator putting his arm on his shoulder was an unacceptable and degrading attitude according to the tall, bold and angry man. "I might not have acted like a diplomat, but I could have behaved differently if I wanted to behave undiplomatically but I did not do that," he said. He was of course trying to say that he could have placed a punch on the face of the moderator but he was so considerate of the repercussions that he avoided it.

But, he was firm in stressing that no one in this country could allow anyone degrade Turkey or belittle the Turkish prime minister and the few critics in the media should accept that as well. He was having difficulty in understanding why those few opponents were criticizing the way he behaved and charging that particularly his walkout from the panel like an upset child abandoning a game and the totally undiplomatic and apolitical "You know well how to kill" statement he punched on the face of Peres might produce some long term consequences.

Diplomats' unspoken code
Let’s stop acting like an ostrich, pull our heads from sand and see that Erdoğan's behavior at Davos was a serious violation of the diplomats' unspoken code. The injuries he has done to Turkey may be deep and long-standing but because of the code few will be seen.

What is that code? Briefly, it has four parts: 1. Know your objectives and serve your country (or your employer); 2. Work as effectively as possible to obtain those objectives; 3. Encourage the climate that will make it most possible to obtain them; and 4. Use silence, distortions and lies as necessary but don't get caught.

Erdoğan's intense storm at Davos seriously damaged the climate for Turkey and will continue to do so. It was a major violation of the unspoken code. The efforts of others to maintain the best climate for their own interests in relation to Turkey will call forth dexterity, tact and subtle skill to deal with both Erdoğan and the new surface and undercurrents he has created. Consider only these among many after-effects:

w Peres dealt with the Erdoğan exit almost immediately by seeking peace or at least detente, whether or not he really believed what he said. He had worked a calculus of Israel and Turkey's long-term interests, went to the telephone and ate some humble pie -- even if he didn't feel any should be on his plate.

w The Turkish military worked its calculus and declared that its relations with Israel were unimpaired and would continue smoothly. The Turkish military needs Israeli weapons; the Israeli military needs the use the Konya Air Force training facilities, as well as the Turkish airspace; etc.; neither wants a strong enemy where they could have a friend.

w The U.S. and the EU mumbled or practiced avoidance or silence because they didn't want to increase their distance from Turkey and their influence over it. They also worked out their own calculus of long-term self-interest.

Many parties have worked or reworked their calculations as a result of "the Davos incident" but they know the code and will play by it to deal with Erdoğan and the Turkey they now see. Obviously, in this wild driver role Erdoğan has done much more than just scare a few pedestrians and other drivers.