Earthquake Turkey and Syria, here is the geopolitics of aid
There are geopolitical interests behind the aid to Turkey and Syria after the earthquake. Here are which ones. Conversation between Marco Orioles and Marta Ottaviani, journalist and expert essayist on Turkey and Russia
Immediately after the catastrophic earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria , an impressive international aid machine was set in motion. But how much do geopolitical factors affect this outburst of solidarity? Is there any nation more reluctant, especially with a Syria led by a butcher president? And how much will this emergency affect the result of the Turkish presidential elections in May in which Erdogan is in difficulty?
On these issues, Start Magazine interviewed Marta Ottaviani, a journalist specializing in Turkey and Russia and author of essays such as A Thousand and One Turkeys , Turkish Things: Stories and Contradictions of a Country Halfway Between East and West and the recent Russian Brigades. The Kremlin's Occult War Between Trolls and Hackers .
Can we speak, in the case of the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, of a geopolitics of aid?
I would say yes. We can talk about the geopolitics of aid because for once everyone is on the same side, I would say on the right side. For example, both Russia and Ukraine, countries that are even divided by a war, have not hesitated to send aid to Turkey and Syria.
Secondly, we can speak of the geopolitics of aid because, in addition to the purpose of solidarity which is the first thing, there are also interests behind a more or less consistent aid activity. Just think of Putin who is helping both Turkey and Syria because these are key countries for Moscow.
From whom is the most substantial aid coming? But who is doing less than expected?
No deficiencies or lack of intervention by anyone are highlighted, up to this moment.
As can also be seen from Biden's statements, it is one thing to express condolences to a NATO ally like Turkey and one thing to do it with a president like Assad accused of infinite crimes. Do you think this will have repercussions on the level of solidarity?
I believe that in the face of such a disaster, those in charge of that country take a back seat. Then it is clear that the more there is a country with an authoritarian tendency, the more this country is helped by countries similar to it. But when tens of thousands of civilians are involved, as in this case, the most important thing is to send all the necessary aid.
However, it is clear that, and this is reflected in some Syrian newspapers, it is not so much a matter of dictators or otherwise as of the importance of the country. I have seen some Syrian voices praying that they treat Syria on an equal footing with Turkey; that is, they essentially say that not because Syria is a less important country should less aid be sent. And I absolutely feel like supporting this prayer.
Israel has extended its hand to Ankara, confirming the line of détente pursued in recent months. Could this solidarity be a further driving factor?
Relations between Israel and Turkey are in a more or less normalization phase, mainly at Ankara's wish; let us remember that it is not Israel that extends its hand but the opposite, because it is Turkey that has asked Israel to make peace.
In this sense, Turkey will surely appreciate Israel's effort; let us not forget, however, that even in the most tense moments of the bilateral relationship, Israel's support for this type of emergency has never failed.
If he knows how to handle the emergency well, will Erdogan have a better chance of winning the challenge in May or not? How is the picture, the polls, of the next presidential elections?
I believe that if Erdogan wins in the next elections, it will not depend on how he has managed this emergency but on the fact that for many people in Turkey he remains the only political point of reference considered reliable. On the other hand, his eventual defeat could depend on this aspect; let us not forget that right now there is a lot of controversy over the delay in relief efforts, over the fact that the part of Turkey hit by the earthquake also due to the Syrian crisis has been forgotten by the Turkish authorities. And let us not forget that there are many Kurds in this part of the country.
So Erdogan's victory is certainly not helped by the more or less effective management of the emergency; I am thinking rather of a weakening of the figure of the President. As for polls they haven't been released for a few weeks, but we have a personal consensus from the President dented and the same can be said for his AKP party which would appear to have fallen below 35%, which is a very low figure for them. On the other hand we have an opposition that has not yet decided who it will side against Erdogan and as always risks becoming his greatest ally.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/mondo/terremoto-turchia-siria-aiuti-geopolitica/ on Wed, 08 Feb 2023 07:44:03 +0000.