Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underestimated US President Donald Trump. First of all, threats from President Trump should be treated with more gravity than those from Brussels or Berlin.
Pride comes before a fall and this is no different than in the case of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Turkish president came to the conclusion that he can make demands of the United States. As well as buy Russian weaponry behind America’s back. Furthermore, some media show Donald Trump as an infantile elderly man who will not notice such actions.
Erdogan was wrong – Trump noticed after all.
Further escalation of the conflict with the United States may lead to the relocation of nuclear warheads from Turkish bases. Those in Central-Eastern Europe could be a possible solution.
Turkey’s economic foundations for prosperity are fragile. Now, sanctions from the United States have hit those foundations. The doubling of tariffs on Turkish steel has hurt. The Turkish lira has lost more than 40 percent against the dollar. The prices of everyday items have also risen.
Turkey’s society is not so unified or so scared as not to revolt against such an economic collapse.
The Turkish President has gone so far with his bold and powerful words, that it will be difficult for him to save face. Trump as well, but the US can afford to wait.
There are two conclusions to make for US allies: firstly, heed United States warnings and threats. Secondly, further escalation of the conflict with the United States may lead to the relocation of nuclear warheads from Turkish bases. Those in Central-Eastern Europe could be a possible solution.
“Some food for thought for the countries of that region,” concludes Michał Kuź.
