Shijal ChudasamaJanuary 26, 2023Overview of the Middle East: Turkey, Sweden, NATO, and the Quran
NATO negotiations between Sweden and Turkey are broken off, the chief prosecutor of Lebanon and the judge who is trying to indict him square off, and one of the deadliest days in recent memory in the West Bank. Here is the weekly summary from Middle East and North Africa editor, Abubakr Al-Shamahi.
Sweden has been attempting—and so far failing—to persuade Turkey to support its application to join NATO since May of last year. But it seems that for every stride forward, there are two steps back that are taken in the wrong direction. The PKK flag was flown during recent protests in Sweden, which enraged Turkey because the organisation has been fighting the Turkish government since 1984. Erdogan was also burned in effigy.
Turkey however insisted that it was still willing to talk in public. In order to resolve their disputes and potentially prevent Ankara from exercising its veto on memberships—a veto that every NATO member has—Sweden and its fellow prospective NATO member, Finland, were due to meet with Turkey. Taking a forward step
Then, on Saturday, there were not just one, but two demonstrations in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. Demonstrators once more brandished the PKK flag in one of them. In the other, a Quranic copy was set on fire by a Danish anti-Islam protester. The intended meetings with Sweden and Finland were postponed indefinitely after Turkey abruptly canceled the visit of the Swedish defense minister. Additionally, demonstrations were held in front of the Swedish consulate in Istanbul. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, also advised Sweden to disregard Ankara's support for their NATO membership. Back two steps. really more than two. Really, it's a mess.
Erdogan then said that the date of the presidential and parliamentary elections would be moved up to May 14 in the midst of all that commotion. Expect Erdogan to gather his supporters because of the rising domestic opposition and the continued economic difficulties; therefore, there won't be any time soon when it comes to Sweden.
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