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 | Daily News Brief October 3, 2014 |
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Turkey Joins U.S.-Led Coalition Against ISIS
The Turkish parliament approved military action in Syria and Iraq against ISIS on Thursday, with 298 votes in favor (Hurriyet)
and ninety-eight against the resolution. As a NATO member neighboring
the conflict, Turkey has been criticized for its inaction against ISIS.
The country is under increased international and domestic pressure (NYT)
as ISIS advances in towns on the Turkish-Syrian border, sending
thousands of refugees into Turkey. Although Turkey's MPs passed the
motion, there is no indication of when (Al-Monitor) or the extent to which it will engage.
Analysis
"Given that the Islamic State poses a graver threat to Turkey than to any other Western country, Turkey has no choice other than to participate
in the campaign against it. This means, first and foremost, adopting a
zero-tolerance policy toward the Islamic State at home, aimed at
preventing the group from fundraising and recruiting on Turkish soil.
Continued improvement of border security and deeper cooperation with
Western intelligence agencies on the issue of foreign fighters are also
essential," writes Sinan Ulgen at Project Syndicate.
"If
Turkey's engagement against IS produces positive results, this will not
only strengthen Erdogan's hand at home but also help him regain his reputation
in the West as an important regional player. If, however, this
engagement aggravates Turkey's refugee problem, endangers its security
and harms the 'Kurdish opening,' this could harm his reputation at home,
even among supporters, as well as the AKP's chances in the elections,"
writes Semih Idiz in Al-Monitor.
"It
is therefore a mistake to assume that a weakened Kurdish presence means
a stronger Turkey or that Turkey's own peace process is disconnected
from the fate of Kurds outside our borders. The Turkish government
cannot sit on the sidelines because it fears an autonomous,
P.K.K.-controlled Kurdish zone on the border more than the Islamic
State's gains. The Kurds are our only reasonable allies in a region of turmoil," writes Asli Aydintasbas in the New York Times.
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