Turkey's Strategic Position

Submitted by Doug Characky (United States), May 25, 2009 at 20:27

I believe it is a combination of all above explanations to understand Turkey's changing strategic policies in the Middle-East.

Turkey has adjusted it's strategic interests based on it's perceived threats to it's security and influence in the Middle-East. During the Cold War, Turkey faced threats from the USSR and it's puppets in Syria and Iraq. Therefore, Turkey sought a strong alliance with the USA and Israel to protect and strengthen it's military and economic position in the Middle-East.

As the Soviet threat collapsed, Turkey no longer felt the the need for strong ties with Israel and US . Turkey sought to improve it's ties in the Middle-East

Turkey is still a muslim country despite having a secular government. The Turkish population feeling more comfortable with their Islamic faith is less tolerant of Israeli actions against the Palestinians.

Israel and Turkish relations will only continue to decline particulary with this Israeli government

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".