Three Stooges & Türkiye

Major powers have a tendency to turn smaller countries into stooges. In the worst-case scenario, they are blamed for "imperialism". In truth, reality is no less when examined.

Türkiye is the leading economic and military power in a region full of tiny and helpless countries. Examining the relationship between the three stooges & Türkiye presents ample examples of anomalies.

ARMENIA, GREECE, AND ISRAEL

Armenia, Greece, and Israel are three tiny countries in size and population. They are in a region where Türkiye is the dominant economic and military power.

They fit the definition of “stooges” according to Merriam Webster. They are the ones “who play a subordinate or compliant role to a principal”.

The principal in their case, primarily, is the United States of America. The imperial ambitions of France and Russia also subjugate them to a certain extent.

Three Stooges & Türkiye

What is odd with these three stooges in this region, they never act in concert. They allow themselves to be subjugated by one or the other of the major powers in differing times.

As a result, they become “hostages” of sorts. In other words, their free-will become limited. When Türkiye, a regional powerhouse, comes bearing gifts, they are not able to benefit from them.

Israel in 2024

In 2024, Israel views Türkiye as the number one menace since 7 October. Türkiye, meanwhile, constantly raises its voice against the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians.

How did Israel find itself in this mess and where it is going to end up is not the issue. What is important to note is what major power put Israel in this predicament. How Israel was left behind, alone, and vulnerable!

Loneliness of Israel is not limited to the absence of major powers when it matters the most. For example, Armenia and Greece like other tiny and helpless countries do not pay attention to Israel’s plight either.

Armenia in 2020

In 2020, there was a war in Nagorno-Karabakh between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Türkiye was on the side of the latter. They were there to take back a territory that was taken from Azerbaijan by force 32 years earlier.

In other words, it was time to reckon for Armenia. However, this time around France, Russia, and the US were not around to help Armenia. Much like Israel found itself left behind, and alone, so was Armenia this time.

On top of that, Israel was helping Azerbaijan. In other words, Israel was also in cahoots with Türkiye against helpless Armenia. Instead, common sense would say Israel should have joined forces with Armenia.

Three Stooges & Türkiye

Historically, and ironically, three stooges and Türkiye have enough reasons to have a common destiny. Current realities also dictate that all four must walk together.

Israel

Israel and Jews have no historical precedent to feel threatened by Türkiye or Turks. Wasn’t it the Ottoman Sultan that saved Jews from the Spanish inquisition in the Middle Ages?

Weren’t they the Turkish diplomats that saved Jews, running away from Hitler’s Germany? What about recognition of Israel? Türkiye has been the only Muslim majority country that recognized Israel since the very beginning.

Unfortunately, Israel, at this time, is nothing but a stooge as far as the major powers are concerned. Otherwise, surely, the majority of citizens in Israel today would vouch for a closer relationship with Türkiye.

Greece

It is inevitable for Greece not to face the brunt of the rapidly growing Türkiye. Plus, there is also a historic reason. On top of everything, Greece also exacerbates this problem. Currently, it is acting like a full-fledged stooge of the Western powers.

Before anything, Greece should not have taken advantage of Turks during the WWI. At the time, the Ottoman Empire was going through dissolution. As a result, Greece must now reckon with the Misak-i Milli declaration of Ataturk in 1920.

The consequences for Greece, a century later, can be severe or moderate. Moderation comes through collaboration with Türkiye. Otherwise, as the stooge of major powers, severity of pain can be catastrophic and unimaginable.

Armenia

This tiny state is surrounded by Georgia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, and Türkiye. It is landlocked. Arch enemies and major powers naturally take advantage of circumstances. Hence, Armenia has no choice but to collaborate with everyone.

Did Armenians receive any help from the West when they were the gatekeepers for the Western civilization in 1071? Didn’t major powers played Armenians to their strategic interests in 1915 and 1992? Armenians surely must realize the betrayals.

Meanwhile, Türkiye and Turks always wanted to live in peace with Armenia and Armenians. The Seljuks made the offer when they entered Anatolia. Today, Turks and Türkiye ask nothing more or less from Armenia and Armenians.

Three Stooges & Türkiye

Three stooges & Türkiye would all be better off if they were to act like a Quartet in harmony. Unfortunately, that would be against the interest of the major powers of the world. The West and the East have always preferred them to remain as stooges.

The West

The West, led by the US and France never wanted either one of these three stooges to be independent. They constantly used them for their own national interests.

Without Armenia, neither France nor the US could have had any say in the Caucasus. In the 21st century, Armenia continues to be their only hope in the region.

Israel, on the other hand, is the last foothold of the US in the Middle East. France and England also exploit Israel in the region for their national interest.

The East

Meanwhile, the East cannot achieve any goals in the region without these three stooges either. For example, chaotic Caucasus serves their interest better.

Russia has always used Armenia as a leverage in the Caucasus against Türkiye and Turks in Central Asia. Russia also leverages Armenia against the West.

Without Israel, could the US have established a hegemony in the Middle East? China now follows the same footsteps. That is why it invested in seaports of Israel and Greece.

Turkish Choice