I read with interest the article “Shifting sands of politics” (Aug. 24) by Osama Al-Sharif. The writer’s analysis of the recent regional developments is accurate. Following the botched coup attempt in Turkey, Ankara is fast realigning its positions with the changing regional scenarios.
Being a sovereign country, Turkey has the right to take measures to protect its national and regional interests but such a volte-face on Syria is likely to harm Ankara’s ties with the GCC and Arab world. The situation in the region is getting murkier with the passage of time. Every day some new development forces stakeholders to change their position. The United States is to be blamed for the ongoing mess. Regional forces do have the capability to tackle any untoward situation but the Syrian issue could not be treated in isolation. The crisis in Syria is the result of many failed US policies in the region. In addition to that many factors are directly and indirectly affecting Syria and those factors could have been controlled by prompt US diplomatic and military intervention in the conflict areas.
We all know how and why Al-Qaeda morphed into the brutal Daesh. Many western observers and even US officials blame people of the Middle East for relying too much on Washington. Their complaint is not justified because it was Washington’s meddling into the Middle Eastern affairs that led to the current chaos. Whether or not the US accepts it, it is its moral responsibility to help control the situation before its gradual withdrawal from the region. As for Turkey, it needs to play its cards with tact because Iran in any case cannot be trusted. Ankara’s policy shift should not come at the expense of the interests of the Arab world. — Majeed Ahmed Nizami, Jeddah
Changing policies
