US is having issues with Pakistan and Turkey. Both these countries are important ally of US. Pakistan, supported US in Afghanistan war, while on the other hand, Turkey is an important NATO ally. The relationship is going through most difficult times.
Between US and Turkey, it was visa ban that caused tension. Although, it has been a year since President Erdogan has been blaming USA for its internal crisis. From military coup to the Kurdistan referendum, Turkey is repeatedly accusing USA for this. But the recent outrage of Turkey was a result of USAs temporary suspension of visa service to Turkish citizens. Turkey in response banned Americans from entering Turkey.
Between US and Pakistan, it was Americas Afghan policy that caused ambivalence. We have always been an-important- ally to America. We plumped for Americans over Soviet Union at a time when India decided to stay neutral. We facilitated US and China in normalizing their relations. We cooperated with US in every field from intelligence sharing to the war on terror but this policy caused unrest in the long term bilateral relationship and made us reconsider our foreign policy. After rescuing US-Canadian family, even though Trump praised us, we are not taking foreign money anymore which means we need to stabilize our economy without America. For this, we need some new partners.
While Pakistan and Turkey are closer than theyve ever been. Interestingly these two-once favourite allies of US are getting closer now. Iran, one of the biggest rivals of US, is throwing in with Pakistan and Turkey. Foreign minister of Iran, Javad zarif is availing every opportunity to interact with his Pakistani and Turkish counterparts.
Iran and Turkey were already affirmed to 30 billion$ trade and recently this week, both countries signed 4 pacts including economy, finance, literary archives and media cooperation. Iran even strongly agreed with the viewpoint of Turkey on Kurdish referendum in Iraq and slammed US for its bias. The standpoint of the US and European governments on this issue is entirely different from that of Iran and Turkey and the US would like to always have at its disposal an element of harassment against Iran and Turkey; therefore, the US, the Europeans and their stances can by no means be trusted said Iranian president in the meeting.
Iran also slammed America for its Afghan policy on another occasion and defended Pakistan out of nowhere. “What the U.S. today is condemning other countries for is the very outcome of its own wrong and irrational policies over the years in the region and particularly in Afghanistan, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said in a conference right after Trumps anti Pakistan speech.
When it comes to Kashmir, both Iran and Turkey support our stance. Pakistan always looked up to America to become a facilitator, but it always hesitated to interfere between Pakistan and India. While on the other side Iran-beside its historic Chahbahar deal with India- has the courage to speak out against atrocities against Kashmiris. Ayatullah Khameini reportedly bracketed kashmiris with Palestinians and Syrians who are facing brutal war crimes. In several meetings with Pakistani envoys, he supported Pakistans narrative and condemned atrocities in Kashmir, as turkey did. Pakistan and iran also signed a security deal this week to make their borders secure and made sure not to let their lands be used against each other for terrorism.
Many experts believe that this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) deal is an outcome of Pakistans insecurities on Iran and Indias Chahbahar deal, so in order to satisfy the neighbors, Iran signed this security pact so that Pakistan wont hesitate to share CPEC with Iran anymore. Apparently, it seems that it is CPEC that brought Iran and Pakistan close to each other, but a deep insight into the matter reveals that its basically an attempt of Iran to have a strong team against US.
These days, US is putting down its valuable allies, and iran is taking advantage of this opportunity, trying its best to have these two important countries on its side. US cannot use CPEC, but Iran can. It is sending best friend request to Pakistan and Pakistan should also move forward without any hesitation, because this alliance can be fruitful for our own economy too. We can actualize the dream of Pak-Iran gas pipeline to end gas crisis in our country, which was delayed due to US sanctions.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
