India Must Address Turkey’s Role as a Sponsor of Terrorism: Michael Rubin
Michael Rubin discusses Turkey’s role as a sponsor of terrorism, its ties with Pakistan, and the implications for India’s strategy. He suggests India should support the Kurdish movement and adopt a more aggressive diplomatic stance against Turkey. The article also explores changing U.S. and European perspectives on Turkey under the current geopolitical climate.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Michael Rubin, a prominent Middle East expert, discusses Turkey’s evolving geopolitical role and its increasing ties with Pakistan. He highlights concerns over Turkey’s support for terror groups linked to Kashmir and emphasizes India’s need to respond to this challenge. Rubin draws on his extensive experience in the region to offer insights into the complexities surrounding Turkey and its impacts on India’s strategic interests.
Rubin notes that Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK leader, has been imprisoned and isolated for over 25 years, which significantly limits his control over the PKK. He believes Ocalan’s calls for disarmament are not as impactful given the PKK’s need to diversify its leadership and military strategies. The PKK has expressed skepticism toward Ocalan’s directives and reflects a cautious approach due to ongoing attacks from Turkish forces.
Discussing Turkey’s relationship with Pakistan and its implications for India, Rubin asserts that supporting the Kurdish movement could provide India with a diplomatic counter to Turkey’s actions. He emphasizes that Turkish President Erdogan remains an ideologue committed to supporting groups such as Hamas and Kashmiri militants, complicating the geopolitical landscape for India.
Rubin asserts that India must adopt a firmer diplomatic stance against Turkey’s actions, especially considering its role as a major democracy. He believes India’s responses should reflect its adversaries’ aggressions, pointing out that previous Indian military actions against Pakistan were effective in sending a message.
On the global front, Rubin indicates that U.S. and European perspectives on Turkey are unclear. The West’s response, particularly under the Trump administration, has shown some unease towards Erdogan’s regime especially when it comes to his support for Hamas. Recently, U.S. sentiment towards Turkey has shifted negatively, with increasing skepticism in Congress about Turkey’s role as a state sponsor of terrorism.
In summary, the article highlights the complexity of Turkey’s geopolitical role under President Erdogan, particularly its relationships with Pakistan and militant groups. Michael Rubin emphasizes the need for India to take a more assertive diplomatic stance, particularly in support of the Kurdish movement. The evolving dynamics within U.S. and European perspectives on Turkey further complicate the situation, hinting at a shifting geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.thehansindia.com
