Turkey, Kobani and the March of Folly – again

There is a great book by Barbara Tuchman titled ”March of Folly”. A history book. I bought it back in 1987-88. And on my trip to New York City 1988 as a 23 year old man, I head over to the Bookstore to buy another book written by same Tuchman: ”A distant mirror”.

In the great book March of Folly, Barbara Tuchman tell us about big events taking a u-turn often caused by smaller and almost overseen decisions people do at the most diar moment. And in these cases stupid, folly, decisions made in very important, crucial, moments.

Turkey, its government and military as an example are doing this now. Stupid decisions. Missing the window of opportunity with the Kurds. While they have an army that could wipe out the terrorists killing the kurds in Kobani, Syria – turkey border, the Turks have an agenda that is different. Their agenda is based in part that they like to get rid of the Syrian Al-Assad regime. But even more importantly have a history of fighting Kurdish fighters fighting for a free Kurdistan. Kurdistan, not recognised as a free sovereign state, spreads from Turkey,  Syria,  Irak and a bit into Iran. Because of this the Turks says halt to their army minutes from Kobani. Watching the possible massacre of Kurds in Kobani.

Yes the Turks have allowed over 180 000 kurdish and other refugees to cross the border to turkey. But there is that Kurdistan issue that irritates them. And which build an agenda they base their decisions on.

The stupid Turkish March of folly lays in the moment they now seem to loose: great ties with the kurds, had they only saved and fought with the kurds against the terrorists. Just imagine the gratitude the kurds would feel to Turkey.  And what the positives for the future that would lay down. And possibly cement for generations.

Why politicians again and again loose sight of the truly important decisions to make is astonishing. They all March that folly road. They keep sight on their misguided target again and again.

It saddens my heart for the kurds and all others fighting for survival. It hurts. Big time.

Why. Turkey: why?

The rest of the world isn’t doing enough either. But at least some fly their planes. Although far from enough.

BBC todays article as Kobani is about to fall. http://m.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29585459

Stefan Lindblad