A golden era for US-Turkey relations?
Turkey’s relationship with Iran, Syria and Hamas is crucial to the
Obama camp’s efforts to secure peace in the Middle East

Bulent Aras
guardian.co.uk,
Saturday 4 April 2009 14.00 BST

After back-to-back visits to Turkey by US Middle East envoy George
Mitchell and secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Ahmet Davutoglu, a top
adviser to Turkey’s prime minister, predicted that Turkish-American
relations were about to enter a golden era. This prediction was based
on converging developments in Turkey and America’s approach to the
Middle East in particular and foreign policy in general. President
Obama’s visit to Turkey on the 6 April signals that this new golden era
has indeed begun.

Several key developments in Turkish foreign policy occurred in the
first few months of 2009. The accusatory tone adopted by Turkey towards
Israel, condemning the latter’s assault on Gaza, was reaffirmed in the
most recent World Economic Forum summit in Davos when its prime
minister, Recep Tayipp Erdogan, stormed out of a panel discussion,
lambasting the Israeli president, Shimon Peres, for his government’s
actions. Meanwhile, Turkey constructed close ties with the Arab world
and Iran ` closer than at any previous moment in the history of the
republic. Middle Eastern countries hosted more Turkish politicians in
the last three months than in the last decade. Erdogan is now viewed
favourably as a leader by the peoples of the Arab world. Turkey emerged
in the Middle East as the sort of power with which international and
regional actors were not familiar.

It can be inferred from Clinton’s remarks during her delegation’s stay
in Turkey that the US regards Turkey as an effective negotiator in the
region. Turkey’s relationship with Iran, Syria and Hamas is critical to
the enactment of foreign policy through diplomacy approach of the Obama
administration, as Turkey could act as a conduit through which America
would communicate with these countries and actors. Despite outspoken
critics in Washington, the Obama camp regards Turkey’s relationship of
open dialogue with Iran, Syria and Hamas as positive.

Several issues are expected to mark the agenda during the Obama
administration’s visit: the US military’s exit from Iraq; the
establishment of security in Afghanistan; normalisation of relations
with Iran and Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity; the Caucasus and
Turkish-Armenian relations; east-west energy routes and energy
security; Turkey’s bid for EU membership; and the settlement of the
Cyprus problem. Regardless of whether military bases in Turkey are
employed, America needs Turkey’s full logistical support during the
eventual US withdrawal from Iraq.

There are more similarities between Turkish and American foreign policy
visions today than ever before. Previously, during the Clinton
presidency, American policy emphasised human rights and democracy while

Turkish foreign policy was preoccupied with security. As the US mended
its global image, Turkey was taken hostage to troubled relations with
its neighbours, Iran and Syria. Later, under the Bush administration,
American foreign policy priorities became tied to security, while
Turkey’s agenda was determined by its plea for full membership in the
EU and the consequent political reform and democratisation process.
America’s global image was toppled during this period while Turkey
improved its relationship with its neighbours and became an influential
actor in their affairs.

Today, America’s foreign policy vision converges with Turkey’s on
democracy, human rights, peace, and international legitimacy. The Obama
administration needs regional allies to implement its foreign policy
through multilateral diplomacy. A review of the Obama delegation’s
agenda for his visit to Turkey reveals that the president will present
some proposals to address Turkey’s foreign policy problems, such as
Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkish-Armenian relations. US support for Turkey’s
democratisation and EU membership will anchor Turkey on this path. This
perception will contribute to the democratisation of the polity in
Turkey. Turkey’s civilian elite is currently spending a great deal of
energy to put an end to the cold war-style illegal apparatus deep
rooted within the state (known popularly as Ergenekon).

The Obama administration’s efforts at engagement will not be in vain.
The20current Turkish administration promotes a domestic and foreign
policy orientation that accommodates co-operation, demonstrated by
Turkey’s recent peace brokering in the region. It is only a matter of
time before we witness the positive effects that a possible
Turkish-American relationship will have on the Middle East and the rest
of the Muslim world.