2008_10_SRP_CornellKaraveli_Turkey

Prospects for a ‘Torn’ Turkey 57
the transition of valuable commodities from the East to the West, this time
as an energy transit route. The perspectives on, and the importance accorded
to the Turkish republic by outside powers, have tended to vary with the
conjunctures of international politics. In the aftermath of 9/11, it came to be
assumed by Western policymakers and observers that Turkey is a “bridge”
between Europe and the Muslim world, with the implication that it has the
potential to serve as a model – significantly demonstrating the compatibility
of Islam and democracy – for other Muslim countries in the Middle East.
That is, it may be argued, an expression of intellectual theorizing, even
wishful thinking, which assumes that the Muslim Middle Eastern countries
would be naturally prone to look upon Turkey as a role model in the first
place.
Turkey’s culture and religious affiliation had not been accorded any
particular interest during the Cold War. The term “Muslim democracy” was
never used in the West to describe Turkey during that period. Cultural and
religious considerations had taken a back seat to the strategic imperative of
securing the strength of the Western alliance with the inclusion of Turkey.
Thus, Turkey was recognized as a potential member of what was to become
the future European Union, when the EEC and Turkey signed the Ankara
agreement in 1963. In 1978, Turkey was even offered European Community
membership together with Greece. The historic opportunity was missed by
the Turkish government. When Turkey applied for membership in the EC in
1987, the strategic tide had withdrawn from such a perspective. Turkey
received a cold shoulder from the European Community in 1989. Initially, the
fall of the Soviet Union gave birth to the assumption in the West that
Turkey had lost much of its strategic value for the West. That notion was to
be shattered first with the ensuing Gulf War, and definitely with al-Qaeda’s
attack on the United States. Turkey was now accorded a renewed strategic,
as well as a cultural and ideological, importance. It was once again seen as a
key Western ally, but now on account of its Muslim identity.
Turkey’s geographic location makes the conduct of foreign and security
policy a tall order for any Turkish government. Its western aspirations have
made relationships to the United States and the European Union central to
its national interests; meanwhile, Turkey has had to deal with a large array of