Turkey's Syria operation has further burdened relations with NATO

Where is the argument?

For the Turkish government, military operation in northern Syria was a major success: This has significantly affected the creation of a Kurdish state. In addition, in co-operation with Russian forces has fled the Syrian-Turkish Kurdish militia border, the YPG, considered by Ankara as a terrorist.

The operation is in Ankara's interest in security policy. At the same time, this mission is in a clear situation of conflict of interest with most NATO countries: Military intervention has strengthened the so-called Islamic State (IS) and facilitated the flight of IS fighters is criticism from the West.

This operation has also strengthened NATO's biggest contender, Russia. The so-called “Peace Source “operation has helped Moscow, consolidate its position as great power in Syria, and ettabrate Syria as the “state vassal” of the Kremlin.

While most NATO nations sharply criticise the operation, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas even considers it a “violation of international law”, the Turkish government praises the operation as a fight against terrorism. No charges are expected, but a “solidarity fatigue” from NATO partners responded to criticism by the Turkish Foreign Minister.

What's the prologue?

Tensions between Ankara and NATO in recent months have consistently been on the rise. Particularly the row over Russian missile systems S-400 showed how little trust is already between the Turkish government and NATO partners. That is because Turkey decided against protecting its airspace with an American missile system. Instead, Turkey purchased the S-400 weapons system from NATO's rival, Russia.

The West has security reserves in this context. It is feared that the Kremlin through the S-400 radar technique could create access to NATO secret information. Americans in the US were indignant by Ankara's further action as much as they even put an ultimatum on NATO partner, threatening him with economic sanctions. Even the day after the start of the Turkish military offensive, the US president personally threatened his counterpart, Erdogan, that “would destroy the Turkish economy”.

NATO partners also have concern, that military co-operation and foreign policy with Moscow could spur Ankara's departure from alliances with the alliance's Western partners. Experts think Russian president with his policy towards Turkey tries to divide NATO.

Could Turkey soon be exempted from NATO?

An exception of Turkey from NATO in a legal way is unlikely and is almost impossible. The NATO agreement does not provide for a country to be excluded from the transatlantic alliance. But a member state under Article 13 in NATO's agreement could announce its own exit.

Former German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has called it strange “ ” an exception of Turkey. Its exclusion could create a new “security risk at the EU's eastern border. ”

Even at the NATO summit last week, there were no signs of isolation. On the contrary: Turkey's strategic importance was further stressed. No wonder, because Turkey is for the important alliance with its geostrategic position between East and West as a bridge. Without Turkey NATO would be less capable of action, for example. in the war against terror or the direction of the refugee wave. Turkey also has the second largest army among NATO states an exception would significantly affect the defence alliance's military capacities.

Can Turkey pull itself out of NATO?

Even this option is impossible. Because between the defence alliance and Turkey there is a mutual dependence. NATO opens Ankara a platform of talks with the world's most powerful countries. Turkey is also very isolated in terms of foreign policy. The military operation in northern Syria is also well demonstrated. The entire international community even the Arab and Muslim states opposed the operation. Military protection from the strongest military alliance in the world is an inevitable security factor for an isolated country like Turkey.