Not many leaders have the advantage of meeting the American president at the White House.
The Turkish president, who had the opportunity, “kicked the ball” and cancelled his visit to the USA, which was scheduled for May 9th.
This development did not surprise many. Rumours had been circulating for days that Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan would ultimately not go to Washington, despite the fact that the Americans were proceeding with the relevant preparations.
There are many reasons behind the postponement, and it is no secret that the relationship between the two countries has deteriorated in recent years. New opportunities are constantly being added, and new “misunderstandings” are arising.
Turkey’s close embrace of Hamas, to the point of considering giving shelter to the leadership of the terrorist organization, combined with its hardline anti-Israel stance, its close relations with Russia and Iran, and its strongly anti-Western rhetoric, all serve to widen the gap instead of narrowing it.
The postponement of ErdoÄŸan’s visit will affect US-Turkish relations by adding even greater suspicion between Washington and Ankara.
However, some political analysts see it as a missed opportunity to improve relations between the two countries. Advocates of this view believe that Turkey could be utilized as a mediating factor in various crises, such as in Ukraine or the Middle East, and that it could be a reliable partner.
This perspective lacks any realism, as Turkey has never shown the slightest inclination to be part of the West. On the contrary, it consistently opposes it. With its actions and alliances, Turkey demonstrates that it stands against the West.
The only thing that interests Turkish leadership is the defense of its own interests and nothing else. It has no desire to return to the fold of the West, if it ever was there, nor to work to have good relations with it.
If it benefits Turkey, it presents itself as receptive and cooperative with the West. If not, it clearly and openly turns against it.
It has always done so, and it does so now. Not only with the West but with everyone. Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan navigates many boats simultaneously, unfolding and dissolving alliances as needed to advance his plans.
And this is something that those dealing with Turkey must bear in mind. The signs regarding Cyprus and Greece are there. They should stop ignoring them and see what is really happening.
