Warning of New Cuban Missiles Crisis

“Turkey Paves Way for Another Cuban Crisis,” is the stark title of a Nov. 29 warning article in Sputnik by political analyst Pyotr Iskenderov of Russia’s Strategic Culture Foundation, subtitled, “Asking for Trouble: Erdogan Drags Europe Into New ‘Cuban Missile Crisis’?”

Iskenderov’s warning points first to what happened on Nov. 24: “Turkey’s unprecedented provocation could well lead to a standoff reminiscent of the darkest days of the Cold War”; unprecedented because no Russian military aircraft has been shot down by a NATO member country in the Alliance’s history. It also warns about the immediate future, and Obama’s role backing Turkey. “Turkey decided to shoot down the Russian bomber because President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is confident that NATO and particularly the U.S. will back him no matter what happens. The desire to exploit the contradictions between great powers has always been an instrument of the (Neo)Ottoman Empire’s policy.”

There is some mooting of a blocking by Turkey of the Bosphorus Strait to Russian vessels resupplying its forces fighting terrorists in Syria. This, however, would not be tolerated by Russia; and Erdogan’s position, should he try to order it, might be quite weak with his own command.

A shipping line tracking site, marinetraffic.com, reported Monday that Russian-flagged vessels are now being delayed by Turkey while seeking to pass the Bosphorus Strait. The Kyie-based Center for Transport Strategies reported this publicly: “On Sunday Russian vessels were moving on a zig-zag and curved course, waiting for hours for permission to cross the Strait. Movements of vessels from other countries were not delayed.”