Turkey-Russia detente major step towards peace in region: Author

Press TV has interviewed Stephen Lendman, author and radio host from Chicago, about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s policy change towards Russia.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: I have to tell you that you called it just on the previous edition of this very program you predicted that we are going to see a 180-degree turn in Turkey's policy and stance towards Syria, is this the start of that you turn that you predicted?

Lendman: Well, I didn't exactly predict a u-turn. I suggested that we would see something perhaps very dramatic and Putin and Erdogan they’re the one who are getting together in Saint Petersburg. I believe in your program I said I believe it would be in Moscow, it was in Saint Petersburg, which is considered Russian second capital. It was a very important meeting, but the outcome what will happen in the aftermath of this meeting really remains to be seen, because in an article I'm writing this morning I've indicated that so far there’s been no change in Turkish policy with regard to its supporting terrorism in Syria. Now there haven't been serious discussions with Russian officials yet.

I think the meeting with Putin yesterday really outlined broad policies, broad things that will be elaborated on when Russian and Turkish officials get together. You mentioned they'll be getting together today. There’ll be many more meetings ahead and whether Erdogan really wants to get up and step against the war in Syria... it remains to be seen. But it's important to remember that Turkey is a NATO country. Erdogan has been allied with Washington's imperial agenda throughout the conflict since March 2011. So, he has a lot of proving to do but he's very angry with America believing its dirty hands were involved in wanting him ousted. And if he maintains this belief, that's the best chance for peace in the region.

Press TV: And he's been making some serious overtures with the top of the list being Russia following that failed coup maybe in attempts to further legitimize his government and also to legitimize the actions and the purge that he's been carrying out following the failed coup.

Lendman: Oh, absolutely I guess the purge is another issue entirely and I certainly don't belong with way he’s done it, I mean, anybody who's treasonous against his government should be dealt with by legal means, but that’s another issue. The bigger issues are the geopolitical ones. And the Syrian conflict is so central to the idea of keeping world at peace. If Syria falls, Iran is isolated. And I've said many times in articles that if a puppet government controlled by America runs Syria and Iran is next, the same US aggressive policy would be unleashed against Iran. So, it's crucial for the Syrian conflict to be resolved peacefully for America's imperial agenda to be defeated.

And if Erdogan can be pushed a little bit on the side of Russia against America that's a major major step forward for peace in the region. And we can only hope this is the way it will turn it out. America may have shot itself in the foot by at least not telling Turkey about the coup it knew this was about to take place. So, he is justifiably enraged that America his supposed ally did not come to his defense and Russia is all too willing to do it; so, maybe just maybe we'll see some positive things ahead.

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