By Vestnik Kavkaza
Yesterday some details of NATO's possible military operation in Syria emerged. According to US State Department spokeswoman Mary Harf, the U.S. has ruled out the possibility of a land operation in Syria and will not discuss establishing a non-fly zone, such as was seen in Libya. The reasons for it are clear. Establishing of a non-fly zone is too expensive, while for a land operation the Americans need the territory of Turkey. The head of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the RAS, Vitaly Naumkin, told Vestnik Kavkaza about Ankara’s role in the conflict.
- How can knock-off effect launched in the Middle East touch on Turkey?
- Turkey is a direct neighbor of Syria, and the knock-off effect will certainly effect everybody. It will touch even the Gulf states. However, Syria’s fate is important to the neighboring countries most of all – Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq. These states will definitely suffer from tragic development of the situation in Syria. Today Turkey feels pressure from refugees. If the scenario of the regime’s overthrowing and coming of Islamist radicals in office came true, other people would run from the country, including minorities. Turkey will suffer in any way. Even today we can see a heavy political fight over providing the current policy toward the Syrian crisis by Ankara.
- What are chances for Turkey getting involved into the conflict?
- I think it would be reasonable for Turkey not to make such a decision. Today Turkey helps the Syrian rebels. There are training camps for participants of fights against Assad’s regime. However, if Turkey lets its territory be used by NATO countries and changes the position which once was taken toward Iraq, it will lead to tragic consequences for Ankara. For Turkey it would be reasonable not to allow using its territory. Iraq has already stated that it won’t provide its territory to NATO. I think Turkey will do the same.
Meanwhile, the head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications Alexei Mitrofanov stated that “the Syrian side invited Russian MPs to visit the country, so that members of the Committee could see firsthand what happened there and how the world mass media deformed reality.”
Speaking about the informational war, Mitrofanov noted: “As for Internet, developed nets, fast downloads, broadcasting videos, there are new opportunities. Social nets can organize groups. Previously the role was played by newspapers and radio. Today Internet plays the role in large extent, even though traditional information sources as well. As for the military aspect, it is also a war of information technologies, i.e. precision weapon. The Mr. who lived in Sheremetyevo for a while told us how it was provided; that special services have gateways in social nets. They have download programs. Moreover, recent information states that special services finance nets. I don’t want to accuse anyone, this is life… Russia should make certain conclusions. Military operations in the Middle East come in a row. Where is the ball rolling? We believe it is rolling toward our Caucasus and then Central Asia. The next stop is Iran… We should be very attentive and react on everything very seriously.”
