The Perennial Problem of 'Peacemaking' for Profit
THE CLAIM: According to Daily Sabah , 'experts' are confident that finding a solution to the US-Iran crisis would elevate Türkiye's status as a regional power and 'mediator.' The article hints at Türkiye's 'experience as a peacemaker' in various conflicts, suggesting it possesses a unique ability to bridge this particular chasm. THE EVIDENCE: Türkiye, a NATO member with significant economic and
strategic ties to both the US and Iran, certainly has an interest in regional stability – or instability, depending on the desired outcome. Its 'peacemaker' credentials often cited involve navigating complex alliances and rivalries, sometimes by playing both sides. For instance, while condemning sanctions on Iran, Türkiye has often secured waivers for its own trade, demonstrating a pragmatic
flexibility that's less about altruistic mediation and more about self-interest. While the article cites Türkiye's role in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, that was a very different kind of crisis with different regional actors and stakes, aimed at global food security rather than resolving deeply entrenched geopolitical rivalries. THE CONTRADICTIONS: The premise itself is rather quaint. The
'US-Iran crisis' isn't some misunderstanding that a plucky mediator can simply iron out. It's a deeply rooted struggle for regional hegemony, fueled by divergent national interests, ideological clashes, and a long history of intervention. The US, for its part, benefits from a weakened, isolated Iran, which serves to buttress its allies in the Gulf and Israel, and justify a robust military presence