Turkey: The Eastern Question Is Back

The Middle East and Europe have a long history of shifting boundaries and periods of destabilization. Europe viewed Turkey as a bulwark against Russian influence, explains Jonathan Marcus, diplomatic correspondent for BBC News. He points to the Crimean War of the 1850s, with France and Great Britain battling Russian influence in Turkey: “Times change - but geography doesn't, and strategic interests have as much to do with geography as they do with anything else…. A kind of proxy war has turned hot, with Russia bombing Syrian opposition groups backed by Turkey and encouraging Kurdish forces to press ever closer to the Turkish frontier.” Russian bombs near Turkey’s border add to a refugee crisis. Europe must move carefully with Turkey, as NATO member, as it addresses Kurdish opposition and rebels as well as refugees, with many eyeing the EU as a destination. Many analysts don’t hold high hopes for a ceasefire organized by the United States and Russia for select groups and areas, but a brief spell of peace could allow influence foreign policies for the region. – YaleGlobal