Turkey goes from zero problems to nothing but problems in the region
Ankara’s recent political and strategic mistakes have resulted in an anti-Turkish alliance in the Middle East that looks to Moscow for support.
Relations between Ankara and Moscow have been in an unabated tailspin since Nov. 24, when Turkey downed a Russian jet. The plane was on a mission against Turkish-supported forces fighting in northern Syria against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Russia is making it amply clear it does not intend to de-escalate the crisis until Turkey accepts its conditions, starting with a formal apology for the death of a Russian pilot killed by Turkmen militants while still in his parachute harness. This act in particular infuriated Russian citizens, who are clamoring for Turkey to be punished.
The entire incident also has weakened Turkey’s already frail hand in Syria and Iraq. Moscow is making it apparent that it plans to thwart Ankara’s plans in Iraq and Syria and that Turkey will have little, if any, say in international efforts to end Syria's bloody civil war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is still fuming despite Ankara’s attempts to establish a dialogue, continues to spearhead a relentless campaign against Turkey. Putin is accusing Turkey of assisting Islamic terrorism in the region, especially by acting as a conduit for the oil the Islamic State (IS) is smuggling to fuel its campaign of terrorism in Syria and Iraq.
