Western circles call for 'reining in Türkiye' as Ankara's regional influence grows

2026-03-06 - 10:32

As the Middle East passes through a ring of fire, Western anxiety over Türkiye's growing regional influence has resurfaced in a striking Wall Street Journal analysis. The opinion piece, authored by Bradley Martin, explicitly targets Ankara's independent foreign policy moves and calls for measures to "rein in Türkiye," exposing what Turkish observers describe as dark circles' discomfort with the country's assertive regional posture. 'Modern Ottoman sultan' smear The analysis takes direct aim at President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's leadership vision and diplomatic traffic in the Gulf, employing what critics call insolent language. "He wants to lead the Islamic world and sees himself as the protector of Islam, a modern Ottoman sultan," the article states, framing Türkiye's regional effectiveness as a significant risk for Western interests. The characterization reflects Western media's inability to digest Ankara's independent diplomatic initiatives and growing ties with Gulf capitals. Scandalous vacuum warning The WSJ analysis makes a remarkable admission about Western circles' true fears regarding Türkiye's increasing dominance. Drawing parallels with Iraq, the piece warns: "After the Iraq war, Iran exploited the power vacuum left by Saddam Hussein. As the US and Israel neutralize Iran's regional threat, necessary measures must be taken to prevent Türkiye from filling this vacuum." The statement effectively reveals that while Western operations target Iran, the unspoken concern is preventing Ankara from emerging as the regional beneficiary. NATO membership questioned Describing Türkiye's stance of protecting its national interests as a "headache," the analysis raises questions about Ankara's alliance membership: "Should NATO continue its relationship with Türkiye? What should Türkiye's regional role be after the Iranian regime collapses? The US must not forget that Türkiye acts against its interests." The piece criticizes Ankara's opposition to what it terms US and Israel's unlawful moves, stating that "despite being a NATO member, Ankara presents the profile of a bad partner for the West." Turkish response The analysis comes as Türkiye maintains intensive diplomatic engagement across the Middle East, with President Erdoğan holding calls with Gulf and Western leaders while advocating for de-escalation and dialogue. Ankara has positioned itself as a potential mediator while asserting its right to protect national security interests, including responding to any hostile actions regardless of their source. The WSJ piece reflects growing Western frustration with Türkiye's independent trajectory, even as the region grapples with an expanding conflict that has killed over 1,000 people in Iran and drawn Gulf states into direct confrontation.