Originally Posted by
Photonic
"So why is Turkey in any way strategic?"
One reason Russia is involved here at all, is to preserve its one Naval base in Syria with access to the Med, and its one airfield in Syria.
Those planes need fuel. The way fuel gets there is on tankers from the Black Sea, through the Dardanelles and Bosphorus, smack dab in the middle of northern Turkey. Russia's options are limited if they want to preserve those bases in Syria, and not have to send oil tankers around the long way from its North Fleet bases in the arctic.
easier for russia to do that than for Turkey to stop its citizens freezing to death this winter, they supply 57% of Turkey's gas- looks like they may be a bout to do it.
Russia Declares Warplane Downing A "Hostile Act" But Will It Cut Turkish Gas Supplies? | Zero Hedge
Different point I think Nato response to Turkey was wrong and probably from top politicos outside immediate Nato structure.
It should have at least mentioned the duration of said excursion and fact missile hit was outside Turkey and said something along the lines a bit of a hasty reaction