Recently, the current US president, Joe Biden, recognized the Armenian genocide, which triggered some disagreements between the US president and the Turkish. After all, both countries are members of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty), that is, have a relationship with regard to the military issue and, the recognition was not welcomed by Turkey, even being rated as an act capable of "hurting" and "damaging" relations with regard to the military organization.
Another factor that contributed to the climate becoming a little warmer was the conflict that took place in September and October of 2020 between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, where Turkey supported the Azerbaijani government with favorable speeches, even offering military aid and military services, according to the Turkish journalist, Hamza Tekin. Therefore, on that occasion, if there had been a war, Turkish aid could, at any moment, have NATO participation. still, given Biden's attitude, it can be observed that, perhaps, in addition to the message of solidarity with the Armenian people, the American head of government is also sending a message to Erdogan's foreign policy.
At the beginning of the 20th century, during the first world war, between the years 1915 a 1918, the Armenian genocide occurred, which was an ethnic massacre caused by the Ottoman Empire, a State located where, currently, is Turkey. There is great disagreement regarding the number of deaths, some estimates suggest 300 what a 2 millions of deaths. However,, Most estimates made speak of 600 thousand until 1,5 millions of deaths.
Considering that the Ottoman Empire entered the First World War to fight on the side of the Triple Alliance,, formed by Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Therefore, there was a certain fear on the part of Ottoman leaders that the Armenians, located in Ottoman territory, ally with the Russians, who were part of the Triple Entente.
Therefore, A very fervent debate exists regarding this event, especially if the massacre carried out against the Armenian people can be considered a genocide. This happens because, At the time, the term genocide had not yet been invented., created this only in 1944 by Polish Raphael Lemkin, after the crimes committed by the Nazis in World War II against the Jewish people.
Beyond Armenia itself, some other countries have recognized that there was a genocide, like Germany, Russia, France, Vatican and even the European Parliament. One of the countries that vehemently denies the genocide is Turkey, that recognizes the deaths, but says there was no actual crime. This is reinforced in a speech by the current Turkish president, Recep Erdogan, stating that what happened was inhumane, but despite paying respect to the victims, did not recognize that there was a genocide. One of the main consequences of this act by Biden, is the deterioration of relations between the United States and TĂŒrkiye, What the loss of an American ally in foreign policy could mean, since Turkey is one of the members of NATO.
Sources:
A Dalloul Motasem. Nagorno-Karabakh, strategic victory for Turkey. Eastern Monitor. 13 November 2020. Available in: https://www.monitordooriente.com/20201113-nagorno-karabakh-vitoria-estrategica-para-a-turquia/. Access in 11 from May of 2021.
G1. Biden recognizes the massacre of Armenians in the 20th century as genocide; understand what it was and what the repercussions were. 24 April 2021. Available in: https://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2021/04/24/biden-reconhece-como-genocidio-o-massacre-de-armenios-no-seculo-xx-entenda-o-que-foi-e-quais-as-repercussoes.ghtml . Access in: 10 from May of 2021.
CorrĂȘa Alessandra. What was the massacre of Armenians that Biden defined as âgenocideâ. BBC NWES. 24 April 2021. Available in: https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/internacional-56875237. Access in: 10 may of 2021.
Roache Madeline. What Bidenâs Recognition of Armenian Genocide Means to Armenian-Americans. TIME. 27 April 2021. Available in: https://time.com/5959135/biden-armenia-genocide/ . Access in: 11 from May of 2021.
Authors: Gustavo Cunha and Matheus Colucci
