THE UNITED STATES AND TURKEY
UNC Chapell Hill
103/spch/spch_usturkey.html
March 29 2010
In a recent speech at the Brookings Institution, Assistant Secretary
of State Philip Gordon highlighted the geopolitical importance of
the U.S.-Turkey security relationship in the early years of the 21st
century. An "engaged, active and cooperative relationship with Turkey,"
Gordon stated, "is an important interest of the United States."
Gordon actually understated the crucial importance of Turkey.
Geographically and culturally, Turkey straddles Europe and Asia,
abuts the energy-rich Caspian Sea region, and overlooks the turbulent
Middle East. Politically, Turkey, as Gordon noted, is a "secular,
democratic state that respects the rule of law" and is oriented
toward Europe and the West. In an era of Islamic extremism, Turkey,
with a majority Muslim population, shines as a beacon for moderate
Muslims in the Middle East and throughout the world.
Turkey, noted Gordon, is important to: (1) the stability of the Middle
East; (2) U.S. relations with the Islamic world; (3) U.S. relations
with the energy-rich Caspian Sea-Black Sea-Caucuses region; (4)
security and development in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan; and (5)
Europe and the continued vibrancy of the Atlantic Alliance.
Gordon characterized as unhelpful the recent resolution by the House
of Representatives condemning Turkey for the Armenian "genocide"
during World War I. Turkey, while not denying that Armenians were
massacred, objects to the massacres being classified as genocide.
What is most important, according to Gordon, is that Turkey, which
was a very important U.S. ally during the Cold War, remain oriented
toward, and a part of, the West.