Nice's Terror Attack, Turkish Coup Attempt ‘Links of the Same Chain’

In an attempt to analyze what lies behind the recent tragedy in France and coup attempt in Turkey, a RIA Novosti correspondent has concluded that the two events are “links of the same chain,” as there are common geopolitical processes which might have triggered such developments.

“From my point of view, there is a third power, an aspect of world politics, which even NATO is powerless to withstand,” Vladimir Lepekhin, who is also Director of EurAsEc (The Eurasian Economic Community) Institute, wrote in an analytical piece for RIA Novosti.

“The two countries have some certain things in common, which are being defined by the global causes of the ongoing processes within these countries,” the author adds.

He further explains that France and Turkey are the only NATO member states which strive to maintain independent foreign and internal policies.

This, he says, is the reason why these two countries have become targets for terrorists and other destructive forces.

Among such examples of independent policy, the author cites France’s objections to the US-backed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) deal and the recent announcement of the country’s junior minister for trade and commerce that “it will be 'impossible for the European Union and the United States to conclude negotiations on a trade deal by the end of 2016.'”

“I think a deal in 2016 is impossible and everyone knows it, including those who say otherwise,” the minister, Matthias Fekl, said in a statement earlier in July.

Similar point of view was also expressed by the country’s Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who said that there cannot be a transatlantic treaty agreement since it goes against the interests of the European Union.

“No free trade agreement should be concluded if it does not respect EU interests. Europe should be firm. France will be vigilant about this,” Valls said, addressing members of the governing Socialist Party at the end of June.

With regards to Turkey, Lepekhin says, the recent coup attempt has “lanced an abscess,” which has been “growing like a weed” and which has bowled down the Turkish leadership.

“From the times of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (the founder of the modern Turkish state), the Turkish military has exercised much power relative to the president and the government. Thus, the Turkish military have found themselves subordinated to NATO generals and, hence, the US,” the author explains.

Therefore it turns out that modern Turkey is a country with an external management.

Hence this is the reason behind the downing of the Russian jet by the Turkish Air Forces, which laid all the responsibility on the Turkish leadership while the real initiator of the provocation was not blamed.

In such a situation, he says, the Turkish elites have no choice – either they consent to the dictatorship of the US or try to get rid of it to further pursue their independent policy.

“Erdogan’s group seems to have chosen the latter and that is why it has been supported by the country’s various political movements,” he says.

The author says that the strengthening of power around Erdogan might inevitably lead to Islamization and certain dictatorship, however the country has opted for the lesser of two evils.