Making Sense of Turkey?s Foreign Policy
MARC PIERINI
It has become an understatement in Western diplomatic circles to say that Turkey?s foreign policy is becoming more difficult to understand. In the eyes of Turkey?s Western partners, Ankara frequently fluctuates on international issues, displays a distinct lack of consistency in dealing with its friends and allies, and occasionally gives off the scent of an imperial attitude. These troublesome characteristics have become the hallmarks of Turkey?s diplomatic initiatives and statements, making it difficult?and at times perplexing?to make sense of Ankara?s foreign policy aims.
Yet Washington, Berlin, and Brussels see Turkey as a member of NATO and the Council of Europe as well as a candidate for EU accession and expect Ankara to display a pattern of behavior compatible with these affiliations. So why is Turkey?s foreign policy so erratic? And how should the West react?………………………………
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