Turkey: A New Approach for a New Administration Posted by James Lamond

Spencer Boyer and Brian Katulis at CAP came out with a great report on U.S.-Turkish relations. 

Turkey’s unique role in both the world and its relationship with the U.S. really make it one of America’s most important allies.  The relationship between the two countries is a complex one and has been deeply damaged in recent years- especially following the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Thinking out of the box, Boyer and Katulis do a good job of creating concrete policy proposals to improve relations.

The most interesting and important proposals include (among many others):

• Establishing a strategic bilateral dialogue to formulate and advance a common set of interests and objectives for the Middle East, including those involving Iraq, Iran, and the Arab-Israeli conflict
• Continuing security cooperation with Turkey to address the threat posed by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which both the United States and Turkey consider a terrorist group. This should be done while also encouraging Turkey, Iraq, and officials in the Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq to develop strong security, economic, and political ties that reaffirm the territorial integrity of Iraq and Turkey, and advance regional security
• Working more closely with Turkey in advancing multilateral and regional diplomatic and security initiatives aimed at stabilizing Iraq as the United States continues the redeployment of U.S. troops
• Encouraging Turkey and Israel to maintain their strong economic and military ties and offering support for Turkish efforts to facilitate dialogue between Israel and Syria
• Working closely with Turkey in an international effort to address Iran’s nuclear program and Iran’s evolving regional role, taking advantage of Turkey’s unique position as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its ties to both Israel and Iran
• Supporting Turkey’s continued contributions to stabilization and peacekeeping efforts in countries such as Lebanon and Afghanistan
• Making Turkey one of the first stops on President Obama’s first European trip for faceto- face meetings with the Turkish prime minister and president. Our new president
should make such a visit to Turkey within the context of a European as opposed to Middle Eastern trip to demonstrate that the United States considers Turkish membership
in the EU and stronger ties to the West to be an important strategic objective
• Using diplomacy to persuade our European allies such as France and Germany to keep Turkey’s EU accession process moving forward and to abandon rhetoric that gives the impression that Turkey is not a proper cultural or religious fit for the EU
• Encouraging Turkey to drop its objections to the 2002 Berlin Plus Agreement, which authorizes the EU to use NATO assets and capabilities to support the creation of an EU rapid reaction force as part of a European Security and Defense Policy
• Working with U.N., EU, and Turkish and Cypriot leaders to make sure that discussions to resolve the long-standing dispute over Cyprus stay on track
• Encouraging Turkey to hasten its development of democratic institutions, freedoms, and reforms, which may help lessen the antagonism between the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP (its Turkish acronym), and its adversaries in parliament, the military, and the courts. Such democratic progress also may help prevent further legal
action against the AKP, which could damage Turkey’s EU aspirations
• Increasing U.S. bilateral investment, business, educational, and cultural ties to the country regardless of Turkey’s status in the EU accession process

I found two points very interesting in this report.  One is the emphasis on nongovernmental ties.  The creation of business and cultural ties may be one of the most important possible steps in establishing a lasting relationship between two countries.  The other very interesting point is the suggestion that Obama should make Turkey one of his first stops on a trip to Europe.  This is a great idea.  It would demonstrate the new administration's dedication to this vital ally.  Helene Cooper reported last week that Obama aides are considering a major foreign policy address in a Muslim country.  While she speculates that it would be Cairo- Ankara or Istanbul may be even better choices.

As one can easily see, President-elect Obama will have to work hard both with European Union countries and Turkey to foster this important relationship.  But it deserves the attention.  Turkey’s unique relationship with Israel has already been incredibly important in creating a dialogue between in Israel and Syria and in promoting dialogue with other Arab states. Prime Minister Erdogan has even been leading an effort to ease tensions between Pakistan and India following the Mumbai attacks.  Turkey's celebration of Obama's election provides and opportunity to repair this tattered relationship- but only with a great deal of work.  Fostering Turkey's ties to the West could prove to be one of the most beneficial long-term goals for the new administration.

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