DESTROYING OLD FRIENDSHIPS AND THE CRIPPLING OF A NATO PARTNER

When I finished writing about the recent events in Turkey yesterday, I overlook one very important issue that needs to be addressed. I guess this happened given I was preoccupied with reviewing the strategic “Big Picture”.

Well, let me make an attempt to rectify that oversight!

As I have stated in the past, it is my opinion one of the primary goals of the Tsar is the neutralization or even dismantling of NATO. His actions over the past several years have given so many indicators of this tact, it’s impossible to believe the big thinkers in DC or London or Germany don’t understand what is taking place.

What is the latest example of this NATO neutralization plan?

Turkey and the utter destruction of the Turkish Military’s leadership, that’s what!

I’m not sure how many people outside the leaders of NATO leadership truly comprehend what EgoDan did to his own military Command and Control in the days following the attempted Coup in July.

If you are not comfortable with the complex dynamics of effectively controlling or deploying a force as large and as technical  as the Turkish military, then let me paint a simplistic picture for you.

In the days following the attempted Coup, EgoDan order the arrest and most of the senior leadership of the Turkish Military. Those that were not rounded up by the state police, were paralyzed with fear and for good reason.

These sweeps were carried out down to the operational, unit level and were accomplished with very little analysis of what condition the military would be left in after the fact. Actually, neutralizing the militaries ability to function was EgoDan’s goal and his desired outcome was more successful than most of us realize!

Could the Turkish military defend the “Homeland”? Yes, but the concept of Combined Arms I am sure, “Combat Ineffective”. For those of you that are not up to speed on military doctrine, “combat Ineffective” means a unit cannot function at the level required to carry out its combat mission.

As a matter of fact, substantiated “rumors” flowed everywhere that the Turkish Military was “offline” as far as NATO Command was concerned. Those Turkish leaders who were left had no ability to coordinate the unified movement of the Turkish military as a whole. The truth is, they still can’t!

Simply put, the capability to function as a major member of the NATO force is “offline”!

Now, would NATO leadership admit to this? No! Why would they?

Can you rip the key leaders out of a NATO military to the level EgoDan did and be “Combat Ready”? No!

How long will it take to backfill capable leaders in all the key positions? My best guess is at least two to three years. It will take two to three years to build the combat leadership skills back into the Command and Control nodes of the Turkish military and that is only based upon those who were spared being brave enough to be proactive again. EgoDan’s wrath is unprecedented in the memories of those key military leaders that were spared.

Who was one of the first persons to call EgoDan and let him know, “I am behind you” ?

Yep……. The Tsar!

Who had the skill sets, the ability to help manipulate this failed coup in Tukey? Yep…. The Tsar!

I can’t help but believe when the Tsar saw the report on just how hard EgoDan came down on his own military leadership, a huge smile had to slowly form on that KGB molded face.

EgoDan, the guy the Tsar disliked more than anyone else in the region, had just accomplished what the Tsar would have never been able to pull off. The destruction a key NATO member’s military Command and Control! Brilliant!!! A word I use a great deal when talking about Putin!

A truly stalinistic purge the Russians could admire.

After this spectacular dismantling of the Turkish Military leadership, what needed to happen next?

Well, from EgoDan’s standpoint, he had to make sure the region understood his ability to respond was still alive and well. He had to prove Turkey was able to stay proactive.

How could he do this?

Well, it appears the best way was to conduct an operation in Syria. A concept that was now doable given his mending of fences with the Tsar. To him, a “twofer” was the answer. One; show he was still Sultan. Two; toss the Kurds into the basket of suspects for supporting the failed coup. 

So, how did he sell this, well, in his mind, it was as simple as convincing the Tsar he would attack the “Terrorist” in Syria. What “Terrorist you might ask? Why the ones the West  / US / supports of Couse; just like the Tsar had been saying for two years now. But, while he was at it, might as well push the Kurd’s back from the Turkish border as well. After all, it’s highly possible the Tsar gave EgoDan some level of “green light” on the whole Kurd issue anyway. In EgoDan’s mind, why would the Tsar be willing to let these Kurds get in the way of a new friendship between the Ottomans and the Russian?  And even if he did, what was he going to do about it?

While all of this is going on, the remanence of Turkish military leadership see the only way to get back in the good graces of their leader. Take an operation into Syria! An operation the old military leadership had been adamantly opposed to for over five years!

Did this expedition into Syria prove the NATO giant was still capable of combat operations?

Well, to the skilled eye, no! But, to the average onlooker, it may have passed the test.  

A very limited, very simplistic operation that had very limited goals. That is what a once very capable, very complex NATO member was now able to accomplish. Well, at least in the eyes of the Tsar. What a success story an all at the cost of betraying a few Kurds here and there.

At the end of the day, the facts are clear to those that know how to look for them.

One of NATO’s most valued members is a shell of it’s former self. And that shell is not command by a group of leaders who don’t dare be seen being cordial with the West / US.

Was the relationship between Turkey and the West on the rocks before the failed coup? Yes.

Was that failing relationship based upon military commander’s no longer Seeing Eye to eye with their NATO partners? No!

Old friendships run deep. Young Captains from 20 / 30 years ago still have ties to other NATO young Captains   from 20/ 30 years ago and they were all senior Commanders now.

But now, those enduring relationships have been severely disrupted. The ability to trust and quietly support each other, regardless of what EgoDan was doing, was now virtually gone!

Who would understand the value of such a complex game? Who would understand the advantage of destroying complex, old friendships?

A skill craft of a wise KGB Boss…………..that’s who!