Middle Eastern Perceptions of the U.S.-Turkey Relations, Spring 2005

The US-Turkey relationship has been viewed with skepticism among certain actors in the Middle East.  American attempts to promote Turkey as a successful Muslim democracy has aroused criticism from regional players who argue that liberalization should emerge indigenously, and not from external initiatives. Turkey’s decision to accept an American request to deploy troops to Iraq in October 2003 was also met with a cold reception in the region. Examining the perspectives from the Egyptian, Iranian and Iraqi state run and independent media, a prevailing mood of suspicion of U.S.-Turkey relations can be observed. Nevertheless, there are indications that Turkey could play a positive role in the region in the future. Besides analyzing these dynamics, this article examines Middle Eastern terrorist discourse to ascertain how these elements justify their violence against an American ally...Please click here to read the text in full.