At Europe’s doorstep, Turkey’s role in Middle East changes and evolves

By Palash R. Ghosh | April 24, 2011 6:56 PM EDT

Turkey has become a major regional and economic player in the Near East. As a leading vibrant Muslim society, the Turks offer a solid blueprint for Arab nations seeking to modernize, while still maintaining Islamic roots. However, Turks are not Arabs and their relationship with its Middle Eastern neighbors has been fraught with tensions, crises and conflicting objectives.

* (Photo: Reuters)<br>Turkey’s PM Erdogan shakes hands with Istanbul candidate Hakan Sukur during a meeting to present his ruling AKP’s candidates for the upcoming general elections in Ankara

(Photo: Reuters)

Turkey’s PM Erdogan shakes hands with Istanbul candidate Hakan Sukur during a meeting to present his ruling AKP’s candidates for the upcoming general elections in Ankara

Moreover, Turkey has long been seeking entry into the European Union (EU), a process that has been painfully slow and also complicates its attitude towards other Muslim nations.

International Business Times spoke to Dilshod Achilov, a professor of political science at East Tennessee State University, in Johnson City, Tenn., to discuss Turkey’s evolving role in the Middle East, how it is handling the revolutions in the Arab world and its chances for accession into the EU.

IBT: Turkey has been lukewarm in its support of the NATO military campaign in Libya, although the Turks have provided humanitarian support to Libyan rebels and refugees fleeing Libya. How do you think Ankara views the crisis in Libya?

ACHILOV: Turkey finds itself walking a tightrope with respect to the Libyan crisis. Ankara’s ambivalent position is linked to the “aftermath” of the Libyan political landscape after Gaddafi is gone.

Turkey fears that excessive Western influence (e.g., France, UK) will shape Libya’s future political landscape. At the end of the day, Libya is a strategically important, oil-rich country.

Ankara is pursuing a balanced diplomacy. It is pushing for a peaceful diplomatic solution to the current stalemate — this is the ultimate Turkish foreign policy objective with regards to current Libyan crisis.

However, Ankara realizes that the situation may not be “ripe” yet for diplomatic negotiations between the Gaddafi loyalists and the rebel forces. Therefore, Ankara supports the interim NATO military assistance (air support only) in order to protect the rebels and civilians.

On the other hand, Turkey certainly cannot afford breaking off relations with the rebels. Ankara knows that Gaddafi will eventually be removed. When the dust settles, Turkey will need to emerge on the side of the victors.

via At Europe’s doorstep, Turkey’s role in Middle East changes and evolves – International Business Times.