Turkey plays for imperialism

Vanguard November 2012 p. 11
by JimH.

The ongoing imperialist led attack against Syria continues. Its aim is to put an end to Syrian independence and convert the country into a semi-colony of the United States.

 (Above -  Turkish tanks near the Syrian border)

The European powers also want to get in. Now the Turkish government is being used as a proxy to try and lift this aggression to a new level.

Dominant and reactionary comprador capitalist forces in Turkey seek to gain advantage by locking their nation into imperialist bondage. They offer themselves up to both US and European imperialist interests, running over themselves to prove how much use they can be to their desired masters. This is what lies behind the provocations against Syria, the constant calls for more open and extensive foreign intervention.

Hillary Clinton’s visit

Hillary Clinton’s visited Turkey on the eve of stepped up provocation. There is no coincidence here. In her talk with the Turkish Foreign Minister, there was mention of imposing “no fly zones” over Syria. She announced that “We have been closely coordinating over the course of this conflict, but now we need to get into the real details of such operational planning. It needs to be across both our governments.” A new joint intelligence group was announced. Support for so-called rebel groups based in Turkey was increased.

The main problem that these sellers of their own country is that they do not have the support of the Turkish people, who have come out into the streets in large numbers to give support to the Syrian people, oppose their government’s actions,  and  demand that rebel bases be thrown out of Turkey. They know exactly what is going on.

The imperialists themselves are quite happy to use Turkey, because they too face opposition at home. Russia and China continue to play a positive role in the Security Council, denying the possibility of using the United Nations as a fig leaf for aggression. Most importantly, the Syrian government, army and people continue to sand up against the odds.

False liberators

As for the so-called Free Syrian Army, since when does a genuine liberation force make itself dependent on foreign material support, political patronage and mercenaries? If successful, it could do no other than deliver the people of Syria into the hands of plunderers.

Because of their inability to win in the battlefield, these fascists increasingly rely on stirring up sectarian conflict through targeted attacks on Alawi, Shia and Christian communities and individuals. Attacks against Syrian and foreign journalists who do not toe the imperialist line have also risen. There is evidence that suggests many of the Free Syrian Army fighters are foreigners, quite a few of them associated with al Qaeda linked organisations.

Saying this does not mean that there are no issues that need attention in Syria, in regard to the relationship between sections of the people and the government, and certain divisions between communities. They are important. But in the present situation they are secondary to the immediate need to free the country from ruthless armed gangs that are puppets of foreign interests, wishing to impose their control in order to exploit the people of Syria.

It could be that the recent battle for Aleppo will prove to be a turning point in the end. The situation is dangerous. A serious weakening of the Free Syrian Army would make the real leadership of the forces against the Syrian government and people nervous and itch to move in more directly.

US President Obama has opened set up an Iraq scenario, claiming reports that the Syrians have a stock of chemical and biological weapons, suggesting that this would justify direct intervention. Romney has not been shy in openly putting the case for full scale invasion.

Alternatively, the strength of the Syrian government forces and international isolation, may mean that the imperialists will not be able to move in. The situation remains uncertain for now.

Victory on the ground for the Syrians could bring closer the day when they will be able to live in peace, be masters of their own country and build a future that they chose for themselves.