We could never have imagined -- even after the end of the Cold War -- that the Turkish people and the state elite would have come to view the US as an enemy threatening Turkey’s security and integrity. Even five years ago we could never imagine that Turkish-American relations would have ended up with such poisonous mistrust and misunderstanding on both sides. But it happened. Lately, there has been a growing perception that the US supports the PKK and prefers the Iraqi Kurds to its old ally, Turkey. In short, it seems to the public and the state elite that the US is not only abandoning Turkey as an ally and friend but is also confronting it as an adversary. If you look at the way we are debating the issues of the PKK and northern Iraq, it seems as if we are on the verge of a war against the US, which has been our ally for the last 60 years.
This breakdown in relations between the two countries will have domestic, regional and global implications. The position of anti-Western circles in Turkey who call for an end to NATO membership, oppose EU membership and fight against globalization will be vindicated and strengthened. Will the US’ strategic interests be better served if Turkey comes under the influence of these forces? What are the great strategic outcomes of such an adventurist political agenda for the region or for the US?
The US needs to seriously change the attitude it has adopted towards Turkey, which is pushing Turkey to look for a strategic partnership in the East. In 2002, when such a prospect was voiced by Gen. Tuncer Kılınç, then the secretary-general of the National Security Council, it regarded as a laughing matter, a careless and visionless statement. Some five years have passed and now we see increasing numbers of people, including security elite and analysts, talking of an Eurasian union as a viable policy option.
To me, the idea of Turkey forging a strategic alliance with Russia, Iran, and China is still a fantasy -- and a dangerous one, at that. But the increasing popularity of this fantasy is a sign, among others, of Turkey’s growing disillusionment with the US over the last four years.
The US administration made mistakes, serious ones. It never bothered to take into account the security risks for its ally, Turkey, posed by its occupation of Iraq. It refrained from addressing the concerns of Turkey and it refused to work cooperatively. This attitude resulted in the exclusion of Turkey from the developments that took place close to its border with Iraq. As was predicted, this allowed the development of a serious threat to Turkey’s national security. Turkey’s cooperation with the US was reduced in March 2003 with the decision of Parliament to not allow American troops to pass through Turkish territory. Following this decision, Turkish institutions, including the government, the military, and even the main opposition party, came under harsh criticism from high-ranking American officials. Meanwhile, an understanding developed in Turkey that the US was “punishing Turkey” for Parliament’s decision.
What was worse was that the US administration meddled in Turkish politics at the expense of its image as an ally, which requires remaining above the squabbles of day-to-day politics. The US’s actions may be calculated to capitalize on and exploit domestic divisions between the ruling party and the opposition parties and also between the military and the government. But this pulled the US into domestic political struggles, eventually alienating all sides involved. At one stage the Americans seemed to side with the government against the military, which was criticized for not supporting the March resolution. Such incidents naturally increased sympathy for the US in AK Party circles. But the time also came when the AK Party seemed to be abandoned in the face of the military’s growing threats of intervention against the government.
We can all remember how long it took for the US administration to come out against the so-called e-memorandum threatening a direct military coup on April 27. The US was also accused of plotting against the republican regime by supporting the “moderate Islam” represented by the AK Party, which was seen as furthering the “Greater Middle East Project” of the US.
In short, by meddling in Turkish domestic politics the US has ended up alienating almost all groups.
Furthermore, Hamas’ visit to Ankara was exaggerated and turned into yet another excuse to punish Turkey by some radical elements of the Jewish lobby, which alienated not only the government but also the vast majority of people who sympathize with the Palestinians. The energy deal with Iran was also subject to overreaction, indicating that the US was not prepared to understand Turkey’s need to diversify its energy resources for its growing economy and population.
Is the US administration aware of these and other mistakes they have made? Given all these considerations and the current issue with the PKK, it is time for the Americans to rethink their stance on Turkey.
08.11.2007
This breakdown in relations between the two countries will have domestic, regional and global implications. The position of anti-Western circles in Turkey who call for an end to NATO membership, oppose EU membership and fight against globalization will be vindicated and strengthened. Will the US’ strategic interests be better served if Turkey comes under the influence of these forces? What are the great strategic outcomes of such an adventurist political agenda for the region or for the US?
The US needs to seriously change the attitude it has adopted towards Turkey, which is pushing Turkey to look for a strategic partnership in the East. In 2002, when such a prospect was voiced by Gen. Tuncer Kılınç, then the secretary-general of the National Security Council, it regarded as a laughing matter, a careless and visionless statement. Some five years have passed and now we see increasing numbers of people, including security elite and analysts, talking of an Eurasian union as a viable policy option.
To me, the idea of Turkey forging a strategic alliance with Russia, Iran, and China is still a fantasy -- and a dangerous one, at that. But the increasing popularity of this fantasy is a sign, among others, of Turkey’s growing disillusionment with the US over the last four years.
The US administration made mistakes, serious ones. It never bothered to take into account the security risks for its ally, Turkey, posed by its occupation of Iraq. It refrained from addressing the concerns of Turkey and it refused to work cooperatively. This attitude resulted in the exclusion of Turkey from the developments that took place close to its border with Iraq. As was predicted, this allowed the development of a serious threat to Turkey’s national security. Turkey’s cooperation with the US was reduced in March 2003 with the decision of Parliament to not allow American troops to pass through Turkish territory. Following this decision, Turkish institutions, including the government, the military, and even the main opposition party, came under harsh criticism from high-ranking American officials. Meanwhile, an understanding developed in Turkey that the US was “punishing Turkey” for Parliament’s decision.
What was worse was that the US administration meddled in Turkish politics at the expense of its image as an ally, which requires remaining above the squabbles of day-to-day politics. The US’s actions may be calculated to capitalize on and exploit domestic divisions between the ruling party and the opposition parties and also between the military and the government. But this pulled the US into domestic political struggles, eventually alienating all sides involved. At one stage the Americans seemed to side with the government against the military, which was criticized for not supporting the March resolution. Such incidents naturally increased sympathy for the US in AK Party circles. But the time also came when the AK Party seemed to be abandoned in the face of the military’s growing threats of intervention against the government.
We can all remember how long it took for the US administration to come out against the so-called e-memorandum threatening a direct military coup on April 27. The US was also accused of plotting against the republican regime by supporting the “moderate Islam” represented by the AK Party, which was seen as furthering the “Greater Middle East Project” of the US.
In short, by meddling in Turkish domestic politics the US has ended up alienating almost all groups.
Furthermore, Hamas’ visit to Ankara was exaggerated and turned into yet another excuse to punish Turkey by some radical elements of the Jewish lobby, which alienated not only the government but also the vast majority of people who sympathize with the Palestinians. The energy deal with Iran was also subject to overreaction, indicating that the US was not prepared to understand Turkey’s need to diversify its energy resources for its growing economy and population.
Is the US administration aware of these and other mistakes they have made? Given all these considerations and the current issue with the PKK, it is time for the Americans to rethink their stance on Turkey.
08.11.2007
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