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Qatar's Egypt reconciliation embarrasses Erdogan

Doha’s moves to improve ties with Egypt deal a fresh blow to Erdogan’s seemingly futile efforts to isolate Sisi internationally.
Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (C) cuts the ribbon during the opening ceremony of the new building of the Turkish Embassy in Doha December 4, 2013.  REUTERS/Mohammed Dabbous (QATAR - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX163G5

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s attempts to see Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi delegitimized and isolated internationally appear about to receive yet another blow as Qatar moves to normalize its ties with Cairo. It's Erdogan who appears more isolated internationally today than Sisi, who continues to gain international recognition while consolidating his power base at home.

The latest development in the Middle East represented by Qatar’s move also compounds what Erdogan’s recently appointed “shadow foreign minister” Ibrahim Kalin once referred to as “precious loneliness,” in an effort to bring an ethical and principled twist to Turkey’s increasing regional isolation.

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