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  • Converging Regional Policies

    CONVERGING REGIONAL POLICIES
    by Bulent Aras

    Media Monitors Network
    April 30

    "The Obama administration needs regional allies to implement its
    foreign policy through multilateral diplomacy."

    During a visit to the United States that preceded President Barack
    Obama's visit to Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, chief advisor to Turkey's
    prime minister, stated that "Our approach and principles are almost
    the same, very similar to the US on issues such as the Middle East,
    Caucasus, Balkans and energy security. Therefore, we hope that there
    is a golden era ahead in cooperation." That sentiment was based on
    converging developments in the Turkish and American approach to foreign
    policy issues, particularly the Middle East. Obama's subsequent visit
    to Turkey signaled that this new golden era had indeed begun.

    It can be inferred from Hillary 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 foreign-policy-through-diplomacy approach
    of the Obama administration: Turkey can act as a conduit through
    which America communicates with these countries and actors. Despite
    outspoken criticism in Washington of Turkey's open dialogue with
    America's enemies, the Obama camp regards Turkey's relationship with
    Iran, Syria and Hamas as positive.

    Several issues marked the agenda during the Obama visit to Turkey. He
    addressed the Muslim world, arguing that the gap between the West and
    the world of Islam is not insurmountable. He extended an olive branch
    to the Muslim world with a strong declaration that "the United States
    is not, and never will be, at war with Islam." Obama's speech in the
    Turkish Parliament continued with words of friendship and the promise
    of seeking "broader engagement based on mutual interest and mutual
    respect". His speech was broadcast live on al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya,
    the two most important Arabic satellite TV channels.

    He placed his support for Turkey's inclusion in the European Union
    in the same context. In Prague, just before his visit to Turkey,
    he argued that Turkey's membership would make the EU a truly
    multi-cultural entity and help to bridge the gap between Islam and
    the West. He added in Turkey that the EU would be stronger with its
    inclusion. In addition, he sent a strong message of rapprochement
    to Iran from Turkey, implicitly honoring Ankara's offer to mediate
    between Tehran and Washington.

    He proposed a "model partnership" between Turkey and the US. He wants
    Turkey to continue to contribute to Syrian-Israeli peace talks. Obama
    also satisfied Turkish concerns over his involvement in the Armenian
    genocide issue, noting that if Turkey and Armenia "can move forward
    and deal with a difficult and tragic history, then I think the entire
    world should encourage that."

    Under the Obama administration, America's foreign policy vision
    converges with Turkey's on democracy, human rights, peace and
    international legitimacy. This convergence is more about values
    than considerations of realpolitik. The Obama administration needs
    regional allies to implement its foreign policy through multilateral
    diplomacy. The way forward for the US toward positive bilateral
    relations with Turkey and a more effective engagement with the Muslim
    world is to firmly establish its foreign policy priorities in alignment
    with Turkey's. A review of the Obama delegation's agenda for his visit
    to Turkey reveals that the president did indeed present proposals for
    addressing such Turkish foreign policy problems as normalization of
    Turkish-Armenian relations, associating this requirement with Turkey's
    leading role as a peacemaker in the region.

    Obama called for further reform and democratization in Turkey, with
    strong reference to improvement of minority rights. He made it clear
    that there will be consistent support for Turkey's government as long
    as it moves in the direction he outlined. This should contribute
    to democratization in Turkey. Ankara's civilian elite is currently
    expending a great deal of energy to eliminate the Cold War-style
    illegal apparatus popularly known as Ergenekon that was deeply rooted
    within the state. US support for democratization and EU membership
    will anchor Turkey on this path.

    The positive atmosphere of rapprochement that emerged with the Obama
    presidency will soon overturn the bitter legacy of the Bush era. One
    can easily foresee a rapid improvement of America's standing in Turkey
    and the Middle East. Obama with his new image will narrow the gap
    between East and West and establish sustainable friendships in the
    region. Considering the new foreign policy orientation of the US,
    under Obama Turkey will serve as a short-cut for American policy
    coordination in the region.

    Obama pledged during his election campaign to enter into cooperation
    with Turkey; his visit proves that he will keep his word. Obama
    underlined Turkey's democratic, western, secular and Muslim charters
    and classified Turkey as an influential western country with multiple
    identities in the Middle East and its environs. The current Turkish
    administration promotes a domestic and foreign policy orientation
    that accommodates cooperation, as demonstrated by Turkey's recent
    peace-brokering in the region. It is only a matter of time before
    we witness the effects that a positive Turkish-American relationship
    has on the Middle East and the rest of the Muslim world.
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