The senior fellow at the Center for New Politics and Policy (USA) and moderate opines: "U.S.-Turkey relations have reached their nadir. At the December White House meeting called to repair the breach in U.S.-Turkish relations Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan refused to support sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program and rebuffed Obama’s request for Turkey’s 1,730 troops to undertake combat missions in Afghanistan. Erdogan’s split with Obama over Iranian sanctions, his support of HAMAS and Ankara’s growing ties with Syria and Iraq has fueled concerns in Washington that Turkey is drifting into Tehran and Moscow’s orbit."
He continues his commentary: "Whether Turkey is leaving the West to become an outpost of Iranian and Russian influence is debatable. What is clear is that Turkey is coming into its own. Prime Minister Erdogan is leading the predominantly Muslim Turkey down the path of a secular democracy and advancing its 'Strategic Depth' foreign policy to secure Ankara’s national interests in a dangerous corner of the world. The new calculus informing Turkey’s foreign policy has unsettled U.S. policymakers accustomed to dictating the parameters of Ankara’s diplomatic horizons. Washington is also concerned that Erdogan’s 'Islamic' leaning Justice and Development Party (AKP) is losing contact with the West and returning to its Middle Eastern Muslim roots. But unwarranted public criticism and reflexive short-term thinking by Washington could permanently damage U.S.-Turkish relations while strengthening Turkey’s military and ultra-nationalist forces seeking to derail Erdogan’s government. The Obama administration should hit the pause button and rethink its Turkey policy. Patience and thoughtful engagement could prevent a disastrous break between Washington and Ankara — one that could risk further destabilization of a region where American power is already on the decline."
More: "Turkey has the 17th largest economy in the world. To continue its economic and democratic revolution Prime Minister Erdogan must insure Turkey’s national security, end the Kurdish PKK insurgency that is dividing the nation and dramatically expand trade. Therein lays the heart of the dispute with Washington. As one of the most energy dependent countries in the region, Turkey imports an astounding 90 percent of its energy needs. Ankara’s relationship with Iran and Russia is critical to secure its strategic long-term energy imperatives and leverage Turkey’s position as a regional energy transit hub. Russia is Turkey’s second largest trading partner and has opportunistically supported Turkey’s drive for E.U. membership and Turkey’s position in defense of Northern Cypress. In addition to Turkey’s extensive oil and gas ties to Iran, trade between the two countries now exceeds $10 billion a year and is growing."
Final thoughts: "If Washington wants to balance Turkey’s 'Eastern angle' President Obama should use his considerable powers of persuasion to convince German Chancellor Angela Merkel and France’s Nicholas Sarkozy to support Turkey’s application to the European Union. Europe’s dismissive attitude towards Turkey while approving Cypress’s [sic] membership to the E.U. has done more to turn Turkey to the East than the AKP’s 'Islamic' inclinations; it has created a feeling in Ankara that Europe has a double standard. The Obama administration can also signal its strong support to Ankara and Kurdistan for Erdogan’s efforts to end the PKK’s insurgency including offers of economic incentives for development projects in Southeastern Turkey."
WEBSTER BROOKS COMMENTARY: Obama And The U.S.-Turkey Foreign Policy Standoff
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3 comments:
hopeful of a possible nuclear Turkey soon. Turkey's FM Ahmet Davutoglu's, a Neo-Ottoman dreamer, says now that the US Anti-Missile Systems are not necessary in Turkey because Iran is no threat to Turkey. What else does one need to see that Turkey clearly cannot be trusted? There is a wise historical saying that goes as this: "If you have a Turk as a friend, you always need to carry with you a big stick".
hopeful of a possible nuclear Turkey soon. Turkey's FM Ahmet Davutoglu's, a Neo-Ottoman dreamer, says now that the US Anti-Missile Systems are not necessary in Turkey because Iran is no threat to Turkey. What else does one need to see that Turkey clearly cannot be trusted? There is a wise historical saying that goes as this: "If you have a Turk as a friend, you always need to carry with you a big stick".
My anonymous comment above for some reason
only part of it was posted. My complete comment was this: Webster Brooks' commentary is part of the continuing policy of appeasement of Turkey which will certainly prove to be a huge mistake. Turkey fought against the US in World War I, remained neutral in World War II while collaborating secretly with the Nazis, letting down the United States on Iraq back in 2003 and now its love affair with Iran and Syria against the West. Is Turkey's claim that Iran is doing nothing wrong because it is hopeful of a possible nuclear Turkey? There have been articles this year in the Turkish press joyfully hopeful of a nuclear Turkey soon. Turkey's FM Ahmet Davutoglu's, a Neo-Ottoman dreamer, says now that the US Anti-Missile Systems are not necessary in Turkey because Iran is no threat to Turkey. What else does one need to see that Turkey clearly cannot be trusted? There is a wise historical saying that goes as this: "If you have a Turk as a friend, you always need to carry with you a big stick".
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