Brandon J. Weichert
With the advent of open warfare between Israel and Iran, seismic changes are underway in the Middle East. The entire world seems to be drawn into this conflict—not only the United States, Russia, and China, but other middle powers as well. Everyone in the region, from Saudi Arabia and Jordan to even India and Pakistan, is now involved in one capacity or another.
The one exception to this rule has been Turkey, which has remained deafeningly silent following the outbreak of war in neighboring Iran. Why?
Does Erdogan Support Iran or Israel?
In spite of their religious differences—Iran representing Shi’a Islam and Turkey Sunni Islam—Ankara and Tehran have long enjoyed amicable relations. Indeed, back in 2013, an “oil-for-gold” scandal erupted in which Turkey was implicated in helping Iran to circumvent Western sanctions on Iranian oil in exchange for gold.
There have been a smattering of unconfirmed reports, too, that Bashar al-Assad’s former military bases in Syria—taken over by Turkish military units allied to the Turkish-backed Syrian government since the fall of Assad’s regime—have electronically interfered with the operations of Israeli warplanes flying overhead on their way to strike targets in Iran.
Still, it would be too simple to say that Turkey and Israel were overt enemies. Confoundingly, the Turks have also allowed for Israel’s primary airline—El Al—to base their civilian jets at the international airport in Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus. Even more strangely, this comes as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vows to wipe out Israel and “liberate” the Palestinian Arabs from Israeli “oppression.” Strange bedfellows indeed!
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