Does Ankara have a plan B for Syria?

"....The U.S., Great Britain and France are very much on Turkey’s side against al-Assad, but they do not appear all that keen about a safe zone whose security they too would have to maintain militarily. These countries have not gone beyond saying that a safe zone or buffer zone in Syria is one of the options on the table, and are clearly sating so to appease Turkey. But they have not endorsed the idea officially yet.

This also shows how isolated Mr. Davutoğlu was in New York last week as he pleaded for help for the Syrian refugees in Turkey. One inevitably wonders what Turkey’s Plan B is in this case, its Plan A having failed thus far. This is why the Turkish public’s concern is mounting, because it is becoming clear that other than hoping for help from others, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) administration does not have a Plan B.

Of course Prime Minister Erdoğan and Mr. Davutoğlu, who are known to make grand statements reflecting giant ambitions, may make it their mission now to reform the UN system, so that it works according to their desires. Why not? There is no limit to ambition, even if it brings no results.

September/07/2012"