ArmInfo. The union of Russia, Turkey and Iran does not have a strategic future. What we are observing today in the context of the situation in Syria is more likely a tactical alliance, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia Ruben Safrastyan expressed a similar opinion to ArmInfo.
"In other words, the interest in cooperation is determined solely by the tactical interests of Moscow, Tehran and Ankara. Their strategic interests do not coincide. In the tactical plan, they take steps dictated exclusively by short-term interests for solving specific problems. I think that this also applies to the future of Syria. Russia, unlike Turkey, seeks to maintain territorial integrity, preserving Syria as a strong state. Iran, in turn, is interested in Syria independent of the USA. But Tehran's main objective in Syria is access to the Mediterranean Sea through its territory, "he stressed.
The academician emphasized that Turkey is in unprecedented situation, which found itself involved not only in the Syrian conflict, but also in the conflicts in Iraq and Libya, not to mention the long-standing conflict with Cyprus. Moreover, the Turkish military are in Qatar and Africa, they are fighting a war with the Kurds inside Turkey itself. According to his assessments, this state of affairs clearly does not speak of the success of Ankara's policy, given that as a result of such activity, its possibilities are at the limit.
The Turkologist assesses such an aggressive policy of Ankara as very dangerous and adventurous, including for Turkey itself. Such maneuvers, in his opinion, may result in the involvement of Turkey in a serious military conflict, for example, in Libya. Safrastyan determines these trends by the unpredictability and adventurism of Turkish President Erdogan. Such a situation, according to his forecasts, cannot last long. Especially given its continued isolation by the West. This weakens Turkey, and good, but devoid of strategic components, relations with Russia, according to his estimates, may worsen at any moment.
"As for the United States, unlike Congress, the Trump administration has a rather big interest in Turkey. In light of this, the US president periodically has to make minor concessions to Erdogan in order to keep him on the leash. Similarly, NATO builds relations with Turkey. Such condescension by US and NATO in relation to Turkey, of course, is dictated by the latter's geopolitical and geographical position. Which, however, does not cancel the leading to the abyss contradictions between Ankara and its allies in the West, "Safrastyan concluded.