A war of words has broken out between Russia and Nato over Moscow’s military intervention in Syria and its violation of Turkish airspace.The row threatens to further escalate tensions over Moscow’s airstrikes to support the regime of Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said his country could not endure Russian violations of its airspace in its campaign in Syria and said Russia risked “losing” Turkey. “Nato has issued a stern ultimatum,” Erdoğan was quoted as saying at a press conference in Brussels by local media. “We cannot endure it. Some steps that we do not desire are being taken. It is not suitable for Turkey to accept them. This is also beyond the principles of Nato.” It is understood that Turkey has the capability to defend itself and it is also a fact that Turkey would not be alone if the tension escalates. In a related development, NATO has decided to open a counter-espionage hub in Poland by year’s end aimed at expanding the alliance’s intelligence gathering capabilities as it faces ‘threats from the east and the south’. Middle East is already in turmoil where apart from Israeli atrocities against Palestinians, both Iraq and Syria are witnessing worst type of crisis of existence, mainly due to foreign intervention and invasions. Yemen is also in the midst of a civil war where trouble-makers, aided by some foreign powers, are fighting against a legitimate Government and the resultant instability in their neighbourhood has forced Saudi Arabia and allies to intervene. On the other hand, as Palestinians are gradually getting global recognition, Israeli intransigence is increasing and the Jewish Prime Minister has threatened to fight to the death withPalestinians. Palestinians have been barred from entering Jerusalem Old City and Tel Aviv has decided to demolish morePalestinian homes and add to its illegal settlements. Similar policy is being pursued by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is continuously raising tension with Pakistan and hurling threats of all kinds. With Russia flexing its muscles, the Westbecoming unnecessarily weary of ‘rising China’ and several flash-points threatening peace in different regions, there are genuine apprehensions that the world is moving towards another major global crisis. It is, therefore, time for the international community to realize the danger, contain threats and make the UN relevant in fulfilling its responsibilities vis-à-vis world peace and security.
pk.shafaqna.com
