open questions all around

Submitted by myth (Germany), Oct 28, 2009 at 08:48

Turkey's behaviour points to the open question as to what NATO's policy as a military entity actually should be in the middle-east. Turkey itself naturally located in that region needs such policy. The EU, rather than fighting radical islamists, shuts the door more or less on turkey and Israel is treated like some quasi NATO member. Turkey sees some short term benefits from offending Israel. The turkish government obviously overlooks that only initial good relations with Israel put them into that position in the first place. They need to understand that just from a practical perspective Israel is the best of allies in the region should they seek a stronger position in the middle-east. From my point of view, the EU should clearly accept that NATO is the more important construct, get Turkey into the EU and by doing so provide the turkish government with substantial arguments to steer the country west again. From my personal contacts I would assume this to be in line with the overall opinion of the turkish people.

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