Turkey’s relationship with the U.S. seems firmly cemented on a leadership level, but Turkey’s bid to join its neighbors in the West –the European Union– is not flourishing. The EU has recently taken proactive steps as a way to reignite the stalled accession talks. However, the shared concern over a fragile and explosive Middle East has drawn attention away from the reforms Turkey needs to deliver domestically if it wants to join the Union. This regional shadow is convenient for both Turkey and the EU at this point. The question remains whether a strong Sunni ambition in foreign policy can go hand in hand with Turkey’s reliance on Western fortification of its borders.