‘Turkey’s bark is worse than its bite’

The assessment in the title line does not belong to this columnist, but has been cherished in this column since a Turkey specialist realistically put it in a Reuters analysis a couple of years earlier. The barking goes on as loudly as before, but the jihadists in Iraq (and Syria), once Turkey’s comrades in arms, just like the common enemy, Bashar al-Assad of Syria, seem to have ignored the doggy threat.

About half a year ago, this column warned in its capacity that “Turks are one of the most precious currencies in (Lebanon’s) hostage exchange market.” (“’Turkey’s Kissinger’ or ‘exceptionally dangerous,’” this column, Dec. 6, 2013). It looks like none of the former Ottoman territories is safe for the nationals of the country that is obsessed with reviving the Ottoman rule.

The Islamic Army of Iraq and the Levant (greater Syria), or ISIL, emerged partly due to Turkey’s efforts to destabilize the Levant and to depose of its ruler, Mr. Assad. ISIL are Turkey’s former allies, just like Mr. Assad himself – and all three are enemies today. As I write now, the al-Qaeda offspring was holding more than 100 Turks, including the consul general in Mosul and around 40 consular staff, in captivity. Ahmet Davutoğlu, the foreign minister of Turkey (and the self-declared interior minister of the Levant) said: “Nobody should test Turkey.” ISIL are not testing Turkey, they just also know that Turkey’s bark is worse than its bite.

As it often happens in Turkish affairs, there is a lot of irony surrounding the hostage crisis. Only a day before the attack on the Turkish consulate, an opposition parliamentarian, speaking in Parliament, warned the consulate was exposed to the risk...