Places overrun by the Mongols recovered quickly from the negative impacts of the invasion. Because the Mongols imposed taxes and recruited soldiers from invaded areas, they supported the economic, political, social and cultural development of these areas. However, this is the case with the US: The Middle East is dealing with an uninvited presence of a superpower (the US) which has a pretty different culture. Despite incidents of forced migration, population loss and an economic collapse in the region, the US presence has caused a heavy and lasting rupture of the cultural fabric. Moreover, the presence of the US in Afghanistan and Iraq causes economic, political and cultural disruption in neighboring countries as well. Iraqi immigrants in Syria and Jordan in particular have to deal with abject conditions. We saw a similar situation in the Vietnam and Korean wars in the 20th century. During these wars, the neighboring countries of Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, etc., had to deal with the repercussions of the war situation. Economic order, politics, sports, religion and culture were designed in accordance with the West in Southeast Asia. The region was industrialized through the use of cheap labor. Bribery was institutionalized. Prostitution was also institutionalized, making the area a part of the global entertainment and service sector.
How can the US renew its policies toward Afghanistan and Iraq? The US wants to withdraw from Iraq by guaranteeing the security of the Kurds, permanently limiting Iran's influence in the south and preventing Iraq from being a threat to Israel. Will the US seek a lasting solution based on the partition of Afghanistan, a mountainous state, among the Pashtun, the Hazara, the Uzbek, the Tajik and the Turkmen peoples?
Some analysts hold that only a permanent partition may ensure the control of drugs and terrorism in Afghanistan. For this reason, is it possible that it would allow the Russian Federation limited penetration and influence in a country where NATO does not want to be influential? Is it possible to ask Turkey to be present in northern Afghanistan in an attempt to offset the Russian Federation? The Russian Federation is the second country after the US which closely follows Afghanistan. Russian intellectuals specialized in Afghanistan are employed in Central Asia, with the Kyrgyz-Russian-Slav University in Bishkek being their main center and a journal in the Russian language is published in Bishkek on Afghanistan. Moscow has laid the intellectual groundwork in Central Asia in order to return to Afghanistan. It is also ready to reconcile with the US.
Turks have been under the same roof with Iraqis for 500 years. They have been friends with Afghans for about 100 years. After it became evident that the terrorists who attacked the US Consulate General in İstanbul on July 9 had received training in Afghanistan, after two Turkish engineers were kidnapped in Afghanistan on July 14 and with the continual penetration of terrorists from Iraq into Turkey, Turkey's renewal of its policies on Iraq and Afghanistan shows the need for a stronger role to be played in combating terrorism.
Turkey constitutes a model for Iraq and Afghanistan in terms of economic growth, institutional and military power and democratic institutions. Turkey may make huge contributions to the independence, modernization and restructuring of these two countries. Emphasis on democracy and human rights in Afghanistan and Iraq (including northern Iraq) and the enhancement of cooperation with civil society organizations in the region may be positive steps for Turkey's greater role. Turkey may lead the work in connection with reformation of the national army and police organization, restructuring and infrastructure work in the economy and other fields.
Regardless of the results of the presidential election in the US this Nov. 4, the White House will have to renew its policies towards Afghanistan and Iraq. The renewal of US policies will require Turkey to renew its policies towards Iraq and Afghanistan.
