Break in Turkey-Egypt relations deepens regional divide
International mediation may be the next steps to rebuild trust among the countries of the region.
As if the prevailing complexity throughout the Arab world is not enough, more complex problems are making crisis management nearly impossible. The latest is the break of diplomatic relations between two major countries in the region, namely Turkey and Egypt.
This is an unfortunate development. The ideological differences between the two regimes should not have led to this level of adversity. Turkish President Abdullah Gul made a calming statement: “I hope our relations will again get back on track.” I also hope this can expedite steps for restoring the relations between these two important countries.
With a host of crises gripping the region — Syria’s ongoing and escalating civil war has rendered both the government and the fractioned opposition more intransigent; Iraq experiences daily civilian casualties on a growing sectarian scale; and the recent embassy attack in Lebanon — it might be time for the regional Arab League, the international United Nations and civil societies to initiate measures to diffuse the poisonous political climate. These entities should introduce steps to avoid further instability and bring about guidelines to manage the complexity before the situation is transformed into unmanageable chaos. If this is asking too much, then let it be.
