Paul Roderick Gregory, Forbes: If Turkey And Russia Continue Fighting, It May Threaten NATO's Existence
We all knew it would happen, whether off the coast of Alaska, over the Baltic Sea, or in the Middle East. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been routinely challenging the NATO airspace for months, well before entering the Syrian conflict. Military experts warned that Russian aircraft flying in crowded airspace with transponders off is a recipe for disaster.
That disaster has occurred, only not in the form of the anticipated accident. Rather the Kremlin misjudged Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who responded to Russia’s provocations by shooting down a Russian fighter plane over its territory, after warning the Russian fighter to leave its air space 10 times. An enraged Putin responded with threats and accused Turkey of being “an accomplice to terror” and “stabbing him in the back.” Turkey has vigorously defended its actions, declaring that it gave ample warning to the Russian jet to leave its air space. Russia’s controlled media released a withering barrage accusing Turkey of being the main sponsor of ISIS and Islamic terrorism.
WNU Editor: NATO is not going to back Turkey if things get out of hand. The response from NATO ambassadors on Tuesday is very telling (from Reuters) ....
.... NATO ambassadors called on Ankara to show "cool-headedness" on Tuesday following an emergency meeting in Brussels, after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border, diplomats said.
Diplomats present at the meeting told Reuters that while none of the 28 NATO envoys defended Russia's actions, many expressed concern that Turkey did not escort the Russian warplane out of its airspace.
Not exactly what I would call a vote of confidence in Turkey.
Interestingly .... in many of the commentaries and opinions that I am now reading .... many pundits (both right and left) are adopting a very hostile view towards Turkey. Case in point .... Turkey Brings NATO to the Precipice of War With Russia (James Carden, The Nation) .... and .... Will reckless Turkey draw NATO into war with Russia? (L. Todd Wood, Washington Times) .... and .... NATO Should Tell Turkey: ‘This Thanksgiving, You’re Dumped’ (Raheem Kassam, Breitbart). When Breitbart and The Nation see eye-to-eye on an issue .... that is something that everyone should take notice.
More News On NATO's Response To Tuesday's Incident Of Turkey Shooting Down A Russian Military Jet
NATO head urges 'calm, de-escalation' after Russian plane downed -- AFP
NATO urges calm after Turkey shoots down Russian plane -- CBS
NATO Expresses Solidarity With Turkey After Russian Jet Shooting -- WSJ
NATO Backs Turkey But Seeks to Lower Tensions With Russia -- VOA
Security leaders: NATO, Russia need to talk -- Politico
Nato and UN seek calm over Turkish downing of Russian jet -- The Guardian
NATO faces new Mideast crisis after downing of Russian jet by Turkey -- Washington Post
Update: Russia is not impressed with NATO's response .... Russian envoy: Ankara forced NATO to excuse the downing of Russian Su-24 (TASS)
3 comments:
If turkey escalates and russia retaliates then nato will be called upon even if they are screaming.
No ifs or buts an attack on one is an attack on all, not even Obama can wriggle out of that one
"many pundits (both right and left) are adopting a very hostile view towards Turkey."
...."that is something that everyone should take notice".
So what? What turkey did was a crime, both when it comes to murdering the Russian pilots and violating Syrian airspace in the process. (no one can confirm whether the ruskie's did violate turkeys airspace or not)
Everyone should take notice how most of the media outlet is portraying the Russians as the bad guy in this incident and saying nothing against turkey.
Now that is something that everyone should take notice....
fazman,
Regardless of what the NATO charter says they won't come to Turkey's aid, because they can't. They have nothing to come with for they are nothing but a social club. Sorry about the soap box tone I'm getting bad about that and need to stop it.
But really, NATO has been nothing but a political/social club since about 72 or 74.
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