Turkey does not need a second diplomatic assassination

It goes without saying that every Western diplomatic mission in Turkey must have reviewed security measures around their compounds - not only after intensified threats from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) but also after the failed July 15 coup, which saw a rise in anti-Western feelings here. 

While some might have felt the need to reinforce security, some countries must have been reluctant to respond to these demands for an additional budget due to financial constraints. 

Suppose the country in question is the Netherlands and there is a demand for an additional budget to increase the protection of its diplomatic missions. While allocating the resources, it would not have been too difficult for the government in The Hague to dismiss requests from Turkey. 

"We are allies with Turkey," the Dutch decision-maker probably would have. "We are partners in NATO. We are among the top foreign investors in Turkey. We have a satisfactory level of cooperation against terror, especially when it comes to foreign fighters. In addition, Turkey has a huge security apparatus."

However, today the same Dutch decision-maker might have second thoughts about these positive arguments to convince the taxpayers that Dutch diplomats are safe in Turkey and there is thus no need for additional spending.

Russia's warnings 

Some may think it should be the responsibility of the Dutch government to take any additional security measures. But in fact Turkey is responsible for the lives of all diplomats that are present in its territory. Taking the issue lightly will have dire consequences. 

That lesson should have been learned after the assassination of the late Russian ambassador, Andrey Karlov, which...