Developments in Afghanistan continue to maintain its place on the agenda seriously. After the United States President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw, "What will happen now in Afghanistan" the question became that everyone sought an answer for. Turkey has been there for 20 years, but has not served as a combatant until now. He carried out only educational activities. Now, after the NATO Summit in June, Afghanistan has overcome other problems in the US-Turkey relations. In fact, the discussion of other problem topics seems to be implicitly linked to the outcome of the talks in Afghanistan. Having spent over 2 trillion dollars and lost more than 2500 soldiers, America is leaving Afghanistan, but wants the security of Kabul Airport, which is the heart of the country, to be provided by Turkey. When this issue came to the fore, the first reaction of many was, "If the solution to the problems between us and the United States depends only on Afghanistan, it is very simple to achieve it." However, as time progressed, the positive atmosphere in the first days began to be replaced by more restrained comments.
On the other hand, clues began to emerge that the USA, which invited Turkey to take a leading role in Afghanistan, demanded this in return. Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a statement against the US demand for the admission of those working directly in Afghanistan on its behalf and for its affiliated NGOs to Turkey, it is clear that this issue is at the center of the negotiations. I mean, the US is taking care of its men. In doing so, it wants to place the risk entirely on Turkey. As it is known, Turkey approved the active use of Incirlik on March 1, 2003, despite the parliament's rejection of the motion. Just as he did that day, if he says that he will not accept immigrants on the one hand and opens the way of arrival on the other hand, then he will assume the entire social and political risk. I think it would be enough to describe the risk to say that close to 3 million people could leave the country after the Taliban took over the important cities of various provinces in Afghanistan in recent days. I am not saying that all of these people will come to Turkey, but it is not necessary to make such deep analyzes to guess that most of them have turned their way to Turkey.
In addition, the question of whether there is a political goal other than improving relations with the United States among Turkey's goals of being in Afghanistan comes to mind. At this point, it is useful to say: Regardless of their ethnic identity, Turkey has a positive perception among the people of Afghanistan and this is very important to us. From this point of view, Turkey has, in the historical process, achieved the goal that Britain, Russia, and finally the USA tried to achieve with weapons, but failed to achieve, thanks to its soft power. Turkey, which has gained an important place thanks to the power of historical relations in Afghanistan, which carries the definition of "the graveyard of empires" with its geographical difficulties today, is right to risk this positive atmosphere for the USA and NATO in a geography that is as complicated as it is risky. It doesn't look like a policy.
In addition, various extreme evaluations are made on the issue of Turkey's meeting with the Taliban. Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met directly, the current Biden administration dealt with when leaving the country, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accepted as a delegation, Russia carefully followed every step, Iran invited Iran to Tehran to determine a road map. The theses of those who say that Turkey should not meet with the Taliban in an environment where the European Union countries are working, where the European Union countries are not talking about Afghanistan while they are predicting, and even India is looking for ground to negotiate despite knowing its closeness with Pakistan, is nothing more than an ideological obsession. Of course, Turkey should negotiate with the Taliban, but it should assume a mediating role in Afghanistan. The Afghan government, which has gone through very difficult and complex times with the latest developments, actually needs this. Other countries have no credibility in this regard before the public and groups. Turkey should use this power correctly and aim to contribute to regional and global peace.
However, it can be said that President Erdogan's goal of acting jointly with Pakistan and Hungary for the security of Kabul Airport was not widely accepted by these countries. It should be noted that the US also acts as if this offer has never been mentioned. It demands that all risks be undertaken by Turkey. He thinks he can control China and Russia through Turkey. In other words, he wants to give Turkey the role of gendarme in Afghanistan. The USA, which has exposed Turkey's country position to all kinds of threats with the Greater Middle East Project, is now giving Turkey the message that its position in NATO depends on the attitude you will take in Afghanistan.
As a result, no country's power is unlimited, including the superpowers in the world. There is no need to put our strength on the scale in a geography where Britain could not hold on, brought the end of the Soviet Union, and the USA had to leave with losses after 20 years. Strong countries are those that know where their power begins and ends, and that implement and produce strategies accordingly. If there are those who make an interpretation of weakness from this evaluation, it is necessary to classify them as those whose feelings precede their minds. Turkey is a power with the potential to make its own decisions according to the time and ground it needs. If Turkey realizes this power, it can achieve both its regional and global goals and contribute to peace.