A New Strategic Outlook in Turkey, Summer 2006

The political mood in Europe is anti-Turkish and the recent conflict between Ankara and Nicosia comes as an opportune excuse to push Turkey off the agenda. The failure however, is also on the part of the government of Turkey for failing to take stock of the changed circumstances in the EU and for failing to make the necessary tactical adjustments in pursuing Turkey’s EU dimension. Turkey’s foreign policy comes across as confusing and timid. Rather than being a leader in the Black Sea and in the South Caucasus, Turkey’s regional role is crumbling. Ankara is orchestrating a new balancing act between the EU, Russian and the US, which itself could be a byproduct of Turkey’s frustrating EU bid. Maintaining this triangle in balance however is impossible as the interests between the players tend to be mutually excusive...Please click here to read the text in full.