We find the current dispute between Russia and Turkey over the Turkish downing of a Russian warplane dripping with irony. The main issue between them is the adamant refusal of Turkey to apologize for the incident. Turkey says the Russian plane was intercepted in Turkish airspace and the Russians claim it took place over Syria.
Whatever the facts, Turkey could make the crisis go away by apologizing to the Russians. Turkey’s contention that the Russian aircraft posed a threat to Turkey inasmuch as the two countries are at odds over the future of Syria’s Assad government seems absurd since the Russians aren’t going to attack with but one fighter aircraft.
This hearkens back to the contretemps in 2010 between Israel and Turkey over Israel’s commando assault on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara. It will be recalled that the ship was intercepted by Israel on its way to attempt to run the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Several pro-Palestinian militants were killed and Turkey broke diplomatic relations with Israel, refusing to renew them until Israel formally apologized, which it in fact did after nearly a three-year deadlock.
Of course, there was a point to Israel’s action against the Turkish ship: preserving a blockade critical to Israeli security. The Turks on the other hand had little apparent reason, other than a petty political one to down the Russian plane. Indeed, when a Russian plane strayed over Israeli territory in the Golan, Israeli officials simply called the Russian commander to report it and there was no ensuing incident.
Turkey is now facing all manner of Russian economic sanctions with the threat of military retaliation possible.
Yet all it has to do to make things right again is say “We’re sorry.”