Ankara needs a reality check

There are currently some important developments happening in the Middle East. The U.S. is in contact with Iran over their common enemy, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Russia and Iran have concluded new deals in the nuclear energy sector, which will consolidate their political and military ties.

Egypt under Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and the U.S. continue to consolidate their ties. Using the international legitimacy he has gained, despite having toppled an elected president, el-Sisi is also developing new energy – and possibly military – ties with Greek Cyprus and Greece.

Meanwhile, Greek Cyprus held joint naval exercises with Russia and is developing its ties with Israel. Saudi Arabia and Egypt are heading an anti-Muslim Brotherhood front that has regional support.

Syria’s Bashar al-Assad looks like he is staying for the foreseeable future, while Washington has established military and political links with Syrian Kurdish groups considered to be offshoots of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

These developments concern Turkey greatly. Overt or covert cooperation between Washington and Tehran will contribute to further diminishing Turkey’s regional influence. The consolidation of ties between Moscow and Tehran will make it even harder for Ankara’s regional plans – including the demise of al-Assad – to materialize.

Egypt’s growing ties in and outside the region will ensure Turkey’s isolation among Arab regimes, given that Ankara has declared el-Sisi an enemy. Turkey’s unwavering support for the Muslim Brotherhood will also ensure that ties with most Middle Eastern governments remain strained.

Al-Assad’s staying power will continue to make a mockery of President Recep Tayyip...