Is a Turkish military base in Qatar really a good idea?
After the failed Turkish coup, can the Turkish military base in Qatar really ensure security?
On the night of the military coup in Turkey, I remember how I was sitting in a majless with my friends who were praying for Turkey's stability. They were so terrified, not only because they love Turkey, but also for the fact that they had families and friends who were in Turkey for the summer break while the coup was happening.
The military coup took many politicians by surprise, especially those from the GCC. This reminded me how the Iranian revolution of 1978-79 was the biggest disappointment to a the United States of America during it's time. The only difference is the Iranian revolution was an Islamic revolution while the coup was a secular attempt, another conspiracy theory, or whatever you're gonna call it..
Several months ago, news sites such as Reuters reported that an agreement had been signed and ratified between Qatar and Turkey to establish the first ever turkish military base in the Middle East in the state of Qatar.
That was my number one concern when I was watching the news on AlJazeera in June..
While many argue that the coup was planned and executed by a corrupted faction I feel the need to address the following question;
To what extent is it safe to have around 3000 members of an army that attempted a failed coup, on their own government, in Qatar?
Also will this ignite another proxy war in the region?
We saw how Iraq became a battle ground between the US and Iran, we are witnessing how Saudi and Iran are clearing their feud over the war on Yemen.
Tensions are being escalated between both Washington and Ankara. Will having a Turkish military base contribute in another proxy war in the region?
Qatar is a very peaceful country for citizens and expatriates, questions like this need to be addressed seriously.
I did not see any issue as mentioned in news " One of the world's wealthiest countries, Qatar is home to the largest U.S. air base in the Middle East, Al Udeid, where around 10,000 military personnel are stationed.
Mufti: The fact is that Turkey is now centre stage. It is normalising ties with Israel, Iran, Saudi and yesterday the US Vice President met with the Turkish President
Moving onto the world stage..lol...back home country is getting destroyed.
Turkey has the second largest army within Nato .. I don't know about resurgency , but it is moving onto the world stage
Seeds of a resurgent Ottoman empire being planted..
@ShabebAlRumaihi, That's a very wise and good observation,however due to the restrictions of the jurisdiction in some areas of interest,wish there could me more loyal citizens like you who can oversee any unprecedented incidences and raise the similar voice..For me i would say...The War on Terror is one of the most critical national security efforts in our history.
Equinox: I think you're diverting from the essence of the post
Third party security system does not come without price, which sometime is hefty and unbearable and may be against your national interests and aspirations.
US defense system in Qatar too has the same implications like,
going after Libya,
going after Syria
going after Iraq
going after Afghanistan
All these countries have no common border with Qatar, and no direct border or business dispute, yet Qatar's soil was used to make them all unstable lands, and as a result, created an unavoidable bigger threat for the regional security, which a challenge is now all around the Gulf.
It makes things complicated too. And we always look for a better option, don't we.
All governments make strategic decisions for the best of its peoples and nation. There is no harm in having two bases.. Infact it mitigates the risk of too much dependence on obe partner
It is ultimately the wisdom and decision of local govt. to allow a military base or not. But one things is for sure that Turkey is not a stable country. A country which cannot protect its citizens and where a big minority is at war with state cannot assure security to others. Military in Turkey have intervened a no. of times and toppled govts. Erdogan had a close shave recently. It is a different matter that he himself is no better than a dictator.
With American base already here, I dont think that this country needs any other base. Even if it wants, they should opt for some other country.
But then again govt. knows better how to defend the country and is the best decision maker.
Where is the blogger "Acchabacha", meaning "Good Boy".
Qatar living needs his matured comments and contributions.
Many countries like Turkey are crying under the America's own ambition towards the world. They have little choices to make out of American dreams.
Go down into the history, and you would find many military groups guarding the king and finally taking him over.
India's Mughal kings mandated the Britishers to station their armies in the South in order to guard their maritime borders, and as a result faced confiscation of their entire empire of centuries old in the English hands in the later years.
If you look back at local history, the Ottomans were allowed to station troops in this country and later the British in 1916, signed an agreement undertaking to protect the local ruler.
"Asking other armies to defend your country, cannot guarantee the peace for a long period of times .."
Yes it can .. Look at NATO.. Smaller countries have always aligned with powerful ones for defence and security.
As for old expats serving in the army .. The term here is "old" .. Also, their allegiances could very easily be swayed ..
Asking other armies to defend your country, cannot guarantee the peace for a long period of times, because the geopolitical scenarios are changing much faster than before now, and any conflict could throw your country into uninvited war of others.
By forging alliance with Germany in WW 2, Japan sustained huge losses and has to hand over a ruined country to their younger generation, who have to work hard to rebuild it.
History has already written the results of similar scenarios, so it would be a mistake to hire military troops from a political unstable and fragile country like Turkey.
Instead Qatar could work on building up common GCC defense system with the help of old expatriates, that have been living in these countries for decades now. Their 2nd and third generations are familiar with GCC culture and loyal to the core.
They are really a great yet untapped asset of GCC counties, that needs to be inducted in the defense system of GCC sooner than later.
Imagine the strong defense, if Qatar creates a high tech army of 100,000 expatriates alongside the locals.
The military has always intervened in Turkish politics - so this coup wasn't all that much of a surprise.
The good thing is that the rogue elements have now been rooted out , so the base in Qatar should have only soldiers who are aligned to the current government
We are satisfied with the present set up ..............