Readers’ Forum

Drafting foreign policy

Turkey and Saudi Arabia are united on the Syrian issue. The governments of these two countries give both diplomatic and material supports to the rebels in order to topple the Assad government, but they are divided over supports to Egypt’s former President Mohammad Morsi. The Riad government has pledged all kinds of financial aid to the Military government of Egypt if the West backtracks. Contrarily, Turkey still considers Morsi to be the legal representative of Egypt.
Both Russia and China vetoed for President Assad and have taken a firm stand against the rebels. So, does Iran for obvious reason. Rising Iran is a concern to Saudi Arabia for which, it is allaged; the Riad government has signed some sorts of a regional deal to counter Iran.
On the other hand, the role of China and Russia is based on national interests. Moscow has been working to fill the room of the USA, who opposes army coup de’tat against a democratically elected government. But Beijing says nothing. She has targeted the whole of Africa by her in exchange of aid and credit.
The USA no more wants continuation of the Justice and Development Party in Ankara. But Washington does not want military intervention, as it will draw worldwide criticism. The CIA has been trying to use the social unrest to oust the present government who made a lot of economic and administrative reforms in its 10 years rule in Turkey.
If there is a change of the government in Ankara unconstitutionally, it is no concern to Tehran, but if social unrest becomes a factor, Iran will have to be serious about meeting people’s quest.
Another important country is Bangladesh from the geo-strategic point of view. China and the USA have eyed on the Bay of Bengal. Already two Chinese submarines have reportedly entered the Bay while the USA is keen to anchor its war ships there, virtually a challenge to India. On the other hand it is the ground reality that incumbent government (in Bangladesh) is too soft and inclined to the South Block in Delhi (as its mastermind, guide and support provider). This Delhi or Beijing bias may at times become too hot to handle when the conflicts of interests may become deeper. As such, the Bangladesh government is to be careful while drafting its foreign policy.

M. A. Hamid
Dhaka