(Hurriyet-Turkey) Semih Idiz - Turkey is realigning its Middle East policy and coordinating its movements much more closely with the West than was the case a few months ago. Clearly the period of "idealism" in Ankara's foreign policy ended with the events in Libya and Syria. Now is the time of realism and pragmatism. This is also what is behind the much reported talks between Turkey and Israel aimed at overcoming the bad blood resulting from the Mavi Marmara incident. Meanwhile, Iran is reemerging as a problematic neighbor for Ankara, firstly because the Mullah regime is badmouthing Turkey for speaking out against Syria's Assad, and secondly because of Iran's threats to hit U.S./NATO bases in the region, backed up by ballistic missile tests.
2011-07-06 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive