The cold war has not left the stage to a world of peace, harmony and universal understanding. Globalization, accelerating at a breathtaking pace over the last twenty years, has created tremendous new challenges. Transatlantic relations that were geared to the cold war era, should evolve and adapt to these new realities. The current contrast between a globally active and interventionist U.S., with public opinion supporting a unilateral and power-based approach, and an inward looking Europe trying to build a system of governance based on constant negotiations and compromise has made transatlantic relations difficult and is more fundamental than just the disagreement that emerged over the nature of policy toward Iraq. The challenges of the future require both the United States and Europe to alter their current stance. The United States will soon recognize that despite all its military might, it needs the active support of other major players on the world scene to protect peace, stability and its own security. Europe, on the other hand, must realize that it must turn outward again, that it cannot simply ignore threats to stability and decency. Turkey has a key role to play in helping promote the right kind of transatlantic spirit. Turkish foreign policy should rise to the challenge by looking beyond our traditional narrowly defined interests, to make Turkey into a global leader in the realm of the ideas and values that will build the 21st Century.
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