Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta

TURKEY-UNITED STATES RELATIONS IN THE AXIS OF NEW MIDDLE EAST

KÜRŞAT KAN, ENGIN KILIÇARSLAN, ARIF BEHIÇ ÖZCAN

Abstract:

After the end of the cold war, the international system and security parameters in the region where Turkey is located have changed and bipolar system and security policy based on east and west axis have become dysfunctional. Turkey had some difficulty to integrate itself into the new international system after Cold War era. It has needed to redefine and adapt its former international policy as a result of some crisis especially after 2000s. Moreover, it has had to exercise a more active and flexible foreign policy due to its improving economic potential and democracy. In this new international policy period, political leadership and national politics have played an essential role. Its former international policy, which involved soft power and having no problems with her neighbors, was considered utopic and romantic by some and functional by some others. However, this policy has become dysfunctional due to some regional and national crisis after 2000s. This study involves Turkish and American relations, Turkey’s approach to regional problems and how Turkey’s relation to America is perceived by the countries in the region. The study discusses the new dynamic policy exercised by Turkey, which used to exercise a static foreign policy in an extremely dynamic region, and effects of this new foreign policy on its relations to USA, which has been exercising a dynamic foreign policy in the region since World War II. Turkish Israeli relations with reference to Middle East peace process, Erdogan’s Davos outburst, Israel’s attack on Gaza Freedom Flotilla; aftermath of Turkey’s policy with Iran related to Nuclear Exchange and UN’s sanctions in USA and Middle East; the emergence of IS (The Islamic State) and problems as a result of its emergence are the focal points of the study.

Keywords: Turkey, USA, Middle East, Turkish foreign policy, Turkey-United States relations

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