OPINION - Türkiye's masterclass lesson in realpolitik

By Burak Elmali

- The author is a researcher at TRT World Research Center

ISTANBUL (AA) – On the eve of the historic NATO summit in Lithuania, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg agreed to forward Sweden's bid for membership in the military alliance to the Turkish parliament.

During this tedious journey, many detractors waited to denigrate Ankara at every corner, hoping to make the argument that Türkiye is an unreliable partner within NATO. Ultimately, Turkish President Erdogan showed that Ankara remains a committed player within the alliance but that Türkiye's foreign policy objectives must be considered in the process. Erdogan has once again proven his statecraft, engineering an extraordinary win-win outcome that yields benefits for his nation, the alliance, and Sweden.

The outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war represented a significant fracture in Europe's security architecture not seen since World War II. This situation led many quarters, including French President Emmanuel Macron, to question NATO's relevance. Meanwhile, many countries bordering Russia sought membership in the transatlantic alliance. Finland went hand in hand with Sweden in seeking a seat in NATO, which it gained in April.

- Türkiye's sensibility about counterterrorism efforts

However, Türkiye's concerns about counterterrorism efforts stalled the process. The Nordic countries, which are often considered a safe haven by terror operatives linked to the PKK/YPG and Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), initially gave lip service to Ankara's demands without taking adequate measures. Türkiye's expectations [1] are that allies (or future allies) must develop mutual trust and a united stance against terrorism. These anticipations are deemed natural and reasonable given that NATO is essentially a collective security club and terrorism stands as one of the top asymmetric threat factors worldwide.

Finland's admission into NATO was finally achieved when Türkiye approved it in April 2023. However, Stockholm played some sort of brinkmanship strategy, allowing provocative demonstrations by PKK/YPG supporters on the streets, along with the alarming surge of Islamophobic incidents like the burning of the Quran, Islam's holy book, under the pretext of freedom of expression. This strategy drew Ankara's reaction.

However, given that Stockholm's brinkmanship strategy was counterproductive, Swedish decision-makers started backpedaling in the lead-up to the NATO summit. The Swedish parliament significantly tightened the anti-terrorism legal framework, resulting in a collective compromise that satisfied all parties involved. The positive outcome holds great significance for Sweden, as it alleviates security concerns, fosters positive bilateral trade relations with Türkiye, removes sanctions on defense industry trade, and receives support from Stockholm regarding the country's EU membership process.

- Long overdue attention on fight against terrorism

Most significantly, this process has finally propelled the fight against terrorism into the global spotlight, receiving the long overdue attention it deserves. An incident in France, where 11 people with ties to the PKK terror group were brought before the court for amassing [2] €2 million ($2.24 million) through extortion and funneling it to the terrorist organization, sheds light on the severity of the threat. Such tactics, commonly employed by those seeking "political" asylum in European capitals, involve intimidation and blackmail as means of operation.

These funding schemes transcend extortion tactics and operate as part of an organized and sophisticated crime syndicate that weaves a web [3] involving money laundering and the drug trade, making billions of dollars. Regrettably, Europe seems to have a tough time grasping the necessary stance against these self-proclaimed "asylum seekers" who serve as mouthpieces and financiers for PKK terrorism. Some promising steps have been implemented, like when a Swedish court recently sentenced [4] a person affiliated with the PKK to four-and-a-half years in prison on charges of terrorist financing. One cannot help but wonder: What would have happened if Türkiye had not taken a proactive stance, urging Sweden to tighten its counterterrorism legislation? The answer is simple: More of the same, a continuation of the flow of resources into the hands of terrorists.

- Changing threats in multi-polar world

In the context of Sweden's NATO membership bid, the crux lies not in short-term gains but in uniting on unwavering principles. This alliance, born to deter Soviet expansionism, now strives for relevance in a multipolar world far removed from the binary Cold War era. New threats always loom for Western security – China, Russia, and even the fusion of climate change with our safety – making the Thucydides Trap an endless game for NATO.

However, strengthening the alliance spirit and fostering mutual trust that sustains coherence are paramount. Comprehending the dimensions of terrorism as an existential threat is vital. Therefore, the alliance must transcend rhetorical support, translating shared resolve into concrete action. Ignoring the fight against terrorism in a multi-polar world would render Europe a haven for malevolent terrorists and their sympathizers.

- Success of Türkiye in win-win scenarios

The NATO summit in Lithuania's capital Vilnius once again showcased how Turkish foreign policy crafts win-win scenarios instead of derailing progress for its allies. Ankara has proven its ability to deliver tangible evidence-based approaches, decreasing gray zones, and avoiding legal and security loopholes. Adding a novel and relevant layer to the Western focus on the 9/11 terror attacks-centric understanding of counterterrorism by including terrorist organizations like the PKK, YPG, and FETO actors makes the world safer and ultimately benefits all. ​​​​​​​

[1] https://researchcentre.trtworld.com/discussion-papers/turkiye-nato-relations-time-to-harmonise-perspectives-on-terrorism/

[2] https://www.voanews.com/a/french-court-convicts-11-turkish-kurds-of-pkk-terror-financing/7051348.html

[3] https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/war-on-terror/pkk-uses-drug-trafficking-in-eu-to-fund-campaign-reports

[4] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66119743

*Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu.