Neo-Ottomanism Surges in Middle East Politics
Melkulangara BHADRAKUMAR | 15.10.2018
|
The
fate of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hangs in the balance.
The common perception is that everything depends on which way President
Donald Trump moves – go by his own preference to bury the scandal over
Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance or give in to the rising demand that
Saudi-American relations can no longer be business as usual. Trump’s
mood swing suggests he is dithering.
Yet,
it is Turkey – more precisely, President Recep Erdogan – who is the
real arbiter. The Turks have let it be known that they are in possession
of materials that expose Khashoggi’s murder. But the official position
is that the onus is on the Saudis to prove that Khashoggi left their
consulate in Istanbul alive.
The
Saudis responded with alacrity by mooting the proposal to form “a joint
action team” with “brotherly” Turkey. Turkey agreed and a Saudi team
arrived in Turkey on Friday. But Riyadh and Ankara are apparently at
odds. Meanwhile, reports appeared that Turkish intelligence has
recordings of Khashoggi’s purported killing. Ankara has not disclaimed
these reports
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