Russia-Turkey tension undermines anti-IS efforts

IS benefits most from the tension

IS and other terrorist groups are the ones who benefit most from the tension between Russia and Turkey. Terrorist groups have stepped up their attacks inflicting heavy casualties on Russia and other countries.

They bombed a Russian commercial jet and conducted terror attacks in Beirut and Paris. Turkey’s shooting down of a Russian warplane was an additional loss for Russia and cheered IS. The relationship between Russia and Turkey turn sour amidst their joint military efforts against IS.

Because Turkey is a NATO member, its action has affected NATO’s relationship with Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that cooperation between Russia and the US-led coalition against IS, which includes several NATO members, will end if there is any military action against Russia.

This is what IS needs. Following the IS terror attacks in Paris, the world community wants countries to be united against terrorism. Alan Mendoza of the UK’s Social Research Institute said Russia’s retaliation and Turkey’s attempts will increase the confrontation between Russia and NATO.  

US, NATO call for attention to IS threats

The fight against IS is likely to go off track if conflicts between anti-IS countries continue. The anti-IS coalition led by the US is already receding after its Arab allies withdrew to focus on their fight against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington said this is a 65-member coalition of which only 9 are doing anything. Officials from Washington and the Pentagon have admitted to ineffective air strikes due to lack of support from Jordan, Bahrain and the UAE.

At a press conference on December 2, Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Sergey Rudskoi said Russia’s air strikes against IS in Syria have halved IS’s revenues from illegal oil sales. According to Mr. Rudskoi, IS earns US$3 million a day - US$2 billion a year -  from illegal oil sales.

In a recently released document, IS warned that it is expanding its network to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and other countries.

The US and NATO called on Russia and Turkey to put their diplomatic disputes behind them and deal with threats from IS. US Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington welcomes Russia’s efforts to end the conflict in Syria. Kerry said Moscow is playing a constructive role in Syria.