Fittingly, a day after the US' Thanksgiving holiday, we're starting to smell roasted bird. That would probably be Erdoğan. He's well done, as of now. Cooked to perfection.
Now, it's a matter of time. Waiting for him to be finished, entirely.
For the time being, NATO's hung him out to dry. They've denounced Russia's retaliations, but have actually done nothing else. Article 5's not even in play. It's been skirted around, and all but dismissed entirely.
At this point in time, Turkey's only a member of NATO in name only.
This is especially important, knowing Russia's not interested in attacking Turkey, but has made it known they'll retaliate to any attack on their forces, going all out. They've basically triple-dog-dared Turkey to attack them, too, brushing aggressively close to Turkey's border, and doubling down on attacks on the people Turkey had demanded Russia not attack, the Turkmen. And now Syria finally has access to Russia's best weapons, which is something Turkey had been dreading for years.
And Turkey's declared they'll suspend all flights over Syria. At this point in time, it might as well be construed Turkey's retreated so far from its former position they're metaphorically up against their backs leaning against their border with Bulgaria with nowhere else to go.
Erdoğan's been sidling back up to Putin, too, trying to beg him, without appearing to do so, to speak with him at Paris. It's as though he's sobered up, realizing he's become overnight a lame duck on the international stage.
It stinks like Erdoğan got played. This is simply too convenient for all other players involved in the region. The US has been annoyed by Turkey's attacking the Kurds, whereas Russia's been annoyed at Turkey funding ISIS.
Russia has given Turkey an out of this mess. Apologize for the attack. Erdoğan's refused to do so, thus far. But that could probably save his career if the kingmakers in Turkey decide to appease Russia.
Ah, now that I think about it, perhaps my imagination is too vivid. This is all conjecture, and I'm following a line of thought that might not have much basis in fact.
At any rate, perhaps the West and Russia are done with Erdoğan. Maybe they've decided they don't need a strongman in Turkey, but someone more pliant to outside interests?
Ah, whatever. At the very least, the threat of war seems to be gone. We can probably all breath again.
Now, it's a matter of time. Waiting for him to be finished, entirely.
For the time being, NATO's hung him out to dry. They've denounced Russia's retaliations, but have actually done nothing else. Article 5's not even in play. It's been skirted around, and all but dismissed entirely.
At this point in time, Turkey's only a member of NATO in name only.
This is especially important, knowing Russia's not interested in attacking Turkey, but has made it known they'll retaliate to any attack on their forces, going all out. They've basically triple-dog-dared Turkey to attack them, too, brushing aggressively close to Turkey's border, and doubling down on attacks on the people Turkey had demanded Russia not attack, the Turkmen. And now Syria finally has access to Russia's best weapons, which is something Turkey had been dreading for years.
And Turkey's declared they'll suspend all flights over Syria. At this point in time, it might as well be construed Turkey's retreated so far from its former position they're metaphorically up against their backs leaning against their border with Bulgaria with nowhere else to go.
Erdoğan's been sidling back up to Putin, too, trying to beg him, without appearing to do so, to speak with him at Paris. It's as though he's sobered up, realizing he's become overnight a lame duck on the international stage.
It stinks like Erdoğan got played. This is simply too convenient for all other players involved in the region. The US has been annoyed by Turkey's attacking the Kurds, whereas Russia's been annoyed at Turkey funding ISIS.
Russia has given Turkey an out of this mess. Apologize for the attack. Erdoğan's refused to do so, thus far. But that could probably save his career if the kingmakers in Turkey decide to appease Russia.
Ah, now that I think about it, perhaps my imagination is too vivid. This is all conjecture, and I'm following a line of thought that might not have much basis in fact.
At any rate, perhaps the West and Russia are done with Erdoğan. Maybe they've decided they don't need a strongman in Turkey, but someone more pliant to outside interests?
Ah, whatever. At the very least, the threat of war seems to be gone. We can probably all breath again.
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