TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH THE DIVIDED WEST: CHANGING PARAMETERS

Abstract

Turkey has been adopting a more European perspective on a number of issues for some time; it should come as no surprise that its foreign policy will become more closely aligned with that of Paris and Berlin over the course of accession negotiations. The Atlantic divide has proven not to be a transient phenomenon and this makes it very difficult for Turkey to maintain close relations with the US and pursue EU membership on complementary tracks. The EU emerges as a civilian superpower with a wide range of soft power tools to exert its influence on global affairs; it also offers a relatively benign image of the West. The US, on the other hand, continues to lose prestige and credibility on the world scene despite its overwhelming military might. This paper argues that Turkey stands to gain more from aligning with the European position in world affairs and it is timely for Turkey to redefine its strategic partnership with the US.