Pakistan and politics behind flotilla mission- Jan Assakzai

The Frontier Post
Flotilla shooing incident has become a battle of perception among Pakistan’s various segments of society. It provided a chance to government to divert the attention of people from its pressing crises: fight against militancy, electricity cuts, law and order, poverty, joblessness.

This is why the government was quick to manipulate anti-western feelings in the country by joining the chorus of condemnation worldwide. There were ministers and other dignitaries greeting journalist Syed Talat Hussain at airport. But they did not bother to offer condolences to the Ahmedia community who is still dealing with the ramifications of recent Lahore attacks on its two worship places.

For people like the anti-facebook protesters, flotilla shooting provided another opportunity for catharsis. These events normally turn into anti-American demonstrations adding further strength to already strong right wing conservatives groups and parties. Certain right wing anchors of electronic media simply joined forces to stir anti-American feelings and use the flotilla issue for a call to Jihad against Israel. Many writers even went in so far as urging the government to declare Jihad on Israel and America (as they did not want to be just trailing behind the religious political parties).

Flotilla mission turned Syed Talat Hussain - already a celebrity anchor - into a living martyr, aside from providing a major scope. He witnessed a big story unfolded in front of his eyes. However, if Pakistan had diplomatic relations with Israel and the conservative media not fanning people’s sentiments, one wonder whether he would have seen such a highly publicised home coming. In the west journalists often put themselves in harms way when it comes to covering stories in conflict zones. Nevertheless, his family rightly deserved the happiness and relief over his home coming after the traumatic flotilla incident.

But the real question rearing its head is what was the real motive of Turkish government behind the half sponsorship of flotilla’s humanitarian mission. In Pakistan, a general assumption is that it was totally a humanitarian mission aimed to deliver relief goods to besieged Palestinian people in Gaza. But real politike behind this mission suggests some thing else.

The international condemnation brought on the Israelis is almost universal and justified as no one can condone the over reaction of Israeli commandos towards the peaceful flotilla mission. That said, flotilla mission though privately organised and sponsored, had the support of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK). Majority of the activists were Turkish nationals. The indirect sponsorship of flotilla by the government has more to do with the geo-political ambitions of Turkey than purely humanitarian considerations per se.

Putting in a context, Turkey is a regional power on the rise. It straddles between Europe and Asia touching Caucasus region giving a unique geo-political position to play. Because of its geography and Mediterranean basin, Istanbul seeks to project influence in Middle East, Caucasus, South and South West Asia, Central Asia and Europe. Turkey has gained confidence because it is no longer limited by the cold war imperative: when Soviet Union was a threat to Turkey during the cold war era, it needed the US and NATO umbrella as a security guarantee.

Besides, Istanbul has no regional threat in its vicinity. The military and economic might adds to its statute. While European core - Germany and France - looked upon Turkey as country non grata, almost the entire Europe is facing severe economic crisis at present, becoming lest alluring for Turkey. Istanbul no more desperately seeks European core’s attention. Turkey seems to have rediscovered its Ottoman roots and wants to be a major Muslim country ready to play a greater role.

Being a non-Arab, non-Shia country, it has a distinctive status to easily reach out to Arab countries and Shia Iran. All these aspects enables Turkey to rise as a regional power ready to play a role at a global stage.. Turkey is the only Muslim country after Egypt having diplomatic relations with Israel. But its diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv is becoming a liability given its ambition to emerge as a major Middle Eastern power. In order to reposition itself in the Muslim world, it needs to even its relations with Israel. Israel is the enemy number one in the Muslim world due to occupation of Palestinian territories.

Istanbul is also trying to offer itself to the US as the only Muslim country that can help Washington in resolving latter’s problems. The US at the moment is entangled in two Muslim countries i.e, Iraq and Afghanistan. In both countries, Turkey has a leverage and can play a role. In Iraq, Turkey along with Saudi Arabia, is backing Sunni Arabs and in Afghanistan it has influence over Uzbeks and Turkmans extending to Central Asian Uzbeks and Turkmans. Thus it can enhance its stature by playing these chips and leveraging over the US. Turkey can also help the US with its Iran problem.

The recent uranium swap deal was brokered by Turkey along Brazil indicating Turkey’s desire to play a bigger role at the world stage. The US can use Turkey’s influence on many fronts of-course not without price: giving special status to Washington-Istanbul relations. Hence comes Turkey’s flotilla politics. Through flotilla mission, Turkey sent Iran a clear message that it is no longer the lone champion of Palestinian cause. Iran has close relations with Palestinian group Hammas and sought to use the group as proxy along with Hezbollah in Lebanon against Israel.

On the other hand, the flotilla mission was also aimed at Hammas: Sunni Hammas now can rely on Turkey - a secular Middle Eastern power than a Shia Iranian sponsor for support. If Turkey pulls away Hammas from the influence of Iran and Syria, it is going to be a big gain for Turkey. While shaping public perception in the Muslim world, flotilla mission served Turkey’s image excellently: Turkey established its credentials in the eyes of Muslims as the only country that challenged the Israeli blockade of Gaza winning the sympathies of the Muslim world. Israel played into the hands of Istanbul.

By over reacting Israelis gave Turkey what Istanbul wanted - driving a wedge between the US and its close ally, Israel. Washington’s relations with Israel were not as warm as they used to be even before flotilla shooting. Israel’s mishandling of flotilla embarrassed the Obama administration further which is trying to improve its image in the western world and is not giving in to Israeli demand of a blanket diplomatic support for Tel Aviv’s every controversial action.

The dilemma for Washington never been starker: supporting Turkey, a rising important Muslim ally, vs backing Israel, which is increasingly becoming a liability. Flotilla mission puts Israel on the spotlight. Turkey by laying a trap letting Israel over react was befittingly in line with its expectations: whatever response Israelis would give, it would create win-win situation for Istanbul.

For example, Israel allowing aid to Gaza, would have still benefited Turkey; the aid delivery would have simply ended the blockade regime set up by Tel Aviv giving huge boost to Turkey’s reputation in Islamic world as a saviour of Palestinians in the trying hours. Challenging the Israeli blockade, Turkey also gave a message to Tel Aviv that it could not expect a Muslim Turkey to rely on despite its diplomatic relations.

It also taught a new lesson to Israelis that now the old Arab-Israel balance is perhaps irrelevant: Israel needs no longer bother about hostile Arab countries in its vicinity but should be concerned about a country farther in the Mediterranean basin: Turkey.

The Jewish diaspora community - the staunch believers of defending the Zionist state no matter what come may, would see further divisions in their rank in the wake of the incident. Many among pro-Israeli Jews, believe that Israel cannot live peacefully in isolation and without the support of the US hence should avoid controversial policies like new settlements in the Palestinian territories, blockade of Gaza and denial of two state solution. For them the response to flotilla will simply add to Israel’s isolation and further erode the support of the United States.

Although, there is no indication that issues surrounding flotilla mission are likely to subside quickly, for some flotilla mission was an act of humanitarian assistance, for others it brought tragedy, yet others equated it with a political ploy.

janassakzai200@gmail.com