Did Turkey Make A Stake Against The U.S.?

BY IBRAHIM KARAGUL
YENI SAFAK- Why did the US oppose the natural gas agreement between Turkey and Iran? To understand Turkey's position in this geopolitical energy chess game and see how such an agreement could affect regional policies, we have to evaluate the issue within the framework of general trends of the 21st century.

This is the first comprehensive international project between Turkey and Iran. It is set to be completed in five months. It envisages the transit of Iranian and Turkmen gas to Europe, gives Turkey the right to have 30 billion cubic meters of gas, and includes an extensive partnership between Ankara and Tehran, despite all contrary winds.

With this cooperation, the two countries are in fact implementing a European Union project. Ankara is not only helping Europe reach Iran's resources but is bringing Iran to Europe. Nor is this project against the interests of Russia, contrary to popular opinion. This initiative may even aid Russia in the `great game' it's playing in the axis of the Middle East and the Caspian.

The US opposes this project, and for serious reasons: The new global balance is being shaped by the struggle for energy centered on the Middle East and Caspian. This is why the US invaded Afghanistan, and then Iraq, and wants to reshape the Middle East. The political project it's implementing from Lebanon to Pakistan and its efforts to stake out Central Asia aim at controlling these resources. But Gazprom's tentacles spreading all over the globe frustrated the US. While the US was staking out the Middle East, ambitious projects started to be implemented in Central Asia by Russia, China, Iran and other countries of the region.

Up to now, Turkey has generally determined its position according to the energy projects of the US. The Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline is the most striking example of this. But this project for Iran's natural gas and the Blue Stream project with Russia have been out of the US initiative, and both got harsh reactions from Washington.

The EU, distant from the energy resources of both the Middle East and Central Asia, meets most of its needs from Russia. As the energy crisis between Russia and Ukraine impacted Europe last winter, the EU had to look for new routes. The Turkey-Iran project is one of these.

Turkey undertook to be the crossroads between the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe in order to have influence in 21st century energy struggles. But partnering with the US only and being distant from the countries controlling the resources isn't enough for this. Hence, Turkey has never hesitated to seek cooperation between the US and Russia when necessary, and continues this policy. Stances will stiffen in the days to come, and we'll see in the near future that that unilateralism doesn't yield good results for a country.

In sum, the US' Greater Middle East Initiative (GME) and the great Eurasian project led by Russia are clashing, and Iran and Turkey are playing their own games.