The fruit of the the fifth summit of the Sochi talks held in Turkish capital Ankara is going to be discussed a great deal. It may go down in history as the first concrete step against American hegemony.
The fourth, and especially the fifth article of the summit’s joint declaration is a slap in the face for the U.S.
4. “[State Presidents] discussed the situation in the northeast of Syria, emphasized that security and stability in this region can be provided solely on the basis of respecting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and they agreed to coordinate efforts in accordance with this.”
It is openly telling the U.S. to “get lost,” but in the case it does not, it is saying that they will work together sending it packing. So far, this was a stance only partially expressed by Iran, and covered by Russia. What is more, it is an articulation of “consensus.”
The deal is that the U.S. will go.
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5. “[State Presidents] have rejected all sorts of initiatives with respect to creating new realities on the ground under the guise of fighting terrorism, including illegitimate autonomy attempts, and expressed their determination to stand against separatist agendas aiming to weaken Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and threatening neighboring countries' national security."
It is the open rejection of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)-affiliated People's Protection Units (YPG) by Iran and Russia. This is also a great blow, and Syria writing a letter to the United Nations (UN) and saying, "The YPG/PKK using the name Syria Democratic Forces [SDF] is a separatist terrorist organization," should also be read along the same lines.
The expression of Qandil (the main base of the PKK) when it read these lines is a topic of curiosity.
However, the U.S. must have also turned purple when it read the fifth article. Because it should be suspected that this decision was specifically added to the fifth article; any outside threat to a NATO-member country's national security, sovereignty is prevented by members of the pact.
Now, "which pact" is protecting Turkey?
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The results of the agreement and the developments it will lead to shall be interesting.
A strengthened Turkey will go to the UN summit, where it will hold a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The reality that the timing for the operation aimed at the east of the Euphrates was missed has evolved once more, and now, an area that is supported by Russia and Iran, and indirectly by Syria, with its backing and balances setup, has opened up for Ankara. The operation is securer now.
The "quartet summit" (Turkey, Russia, Germany, France) to be held in early October will be attended by Paris with slightly less joy compared to Berlin.
Iraq and Lebanon's presence at the summit, recalling the advice Iran underlined in its opening speech that the Astana/Sochi peace talks are a model with respect to overcoming other problems of the region, is an invite to "everybody."
But beware! Both countries are close to Iran. They may require being parted a little. Turkey should consider a new member - while the name of the talks are called "Astana."
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Summit decisions should also be expected to impact future developments.
Israel being crushed with such open statements, pointing to International Law and UN decisions is one of these.
A file will be opened with respect to Golan Heights being donated to Tel Aviv by the U.S.
It may not end here. The "Plan of the Century," which was postponed by the U.S. until after the election, is also under risk now.
If the ideal goal can be reached, the "Kurdish Card" will be returned to its owner.
It is also important and interesting how, why and by whose hand Israel entered the joint statement. That is another matter that for another column.
The shaking "glowing orb coalition" may also roll over. If the reason behind the Aramco crisis, which was brought up on the agenda in the closed session, was interpreted as Riyadh's punishment, the U.S.'s shortness of breath may have been heard here too. Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-China relations will deserve to be perceived from a different angle.
It will become easier to interpret the connection between Aramco and the firing of White House National Security Adviser Bolton.
Perhaps the "U.S.-Russia secret deal" phenomenon, which is a favorite scenario would have also been ended.
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We have a text here that does not twist words, that does not beat around the bush. The only ambiguous topic is Idlib. There is agreement in this area too, but it does not appear to be in practice. The impression is that Russia and Iran could not find what they expected with respect to Idlib and may rush. Meanwhile, it is incontrovertible that Ankara will not step back on this matter. We will see on the field.
Summit decisions have obviously been set considering Turkey-Syria relations as well. This may not be full dose and at a high level. There is also no need, but there will be progress.
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The summit's stance may also be interpreted in the context of "Asia Anew." However, it is not exempted from Europe. In this sense, it is approaching vertical and horizontal limits.
As can be seen, the descriptions up to this point are more an expression of a pact rather than a summit.
