Turkey embarks on new regional strategy

* October 25. 2009 3:40PM GMT

The accession to power of the Justice and Development Party has taken Turkey into a new direction that signals a change of strategy, wrote Fayez Rashid in an opinion article published by the Qatari daily Al Sharq.

The main themes of this new strategy are independence and distance from the West, a balanced regional policy and more rapprochement with the Arab world in general and neighbouring countries in particular. The aim is to restore the historic image of Turkey as a central actor in the Arab region and the Caucasus.

This new strategy has been implemented progressively and translated into practical steps, including the countrys reaction to Israels war on Gaza and cancellation of previously scheduled military exercises with Israel.

Ankara has signed more than 30 agreements and 10 protocols of understanding with Damascus in all fields: defence, security, health, agriculture, environment, energy and transport, in addition to the requirement for entrance visas for citizens of the two countries. With Baghdad, dozens of bilateral agreements have been signed, but most significant was the Turkish mediation in the conflict between Syria and Iraq.

The new strategy is aimed at obtaining international recognition of the regional role of Turkey. Arab countries should, at this point, seek closer relations with their historic neighbour.

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091026/OPINION/710259932/1006

Your masters the Israelis aren't going to like this. Erdogan better watch out.

Your masters the Israelis aren't going to like this. Erdogan better watch out.
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Erdogan somewhat reminds me of Andreas Papandreou during his 1980's reign. We used to be friends with the Arab garbage and all the misfits of the world. Where did this lead? Being the black sheep of the civilized world. Today we are still paying these mistakes, ever wonder why only Greeks need Visa to travel to the US?

If Israel were really our masters, this thread wouldn't exist. Unlike Greece whose very survival depends on the EU, Turkey decides on its own foreign policy and doesn't have to take chit from anyone.

Turk Bir Dev

"Turkey decides on its own foreign policy and doesn't have to take chit from anyone."

LOL. Right.

Shouldn't Landos be arrested for Pedophilia? I mean, compared to his age, the chick in his sig is like a newborn baby...

Turk Bir Dev

erdogan will either reverse course, or be reomved or assasinated by mossad. how far do you think turkey can really go down the road to anti-zionist pan-islamic solidarity?

if erdogan commits to positioning his government as an antagonist to israel it could prove to be an epic blunder for the whole country. turkey is already strained ethnically and ideologically, and a few well placed bombs or bullets (courtesy of mossad- false flag special) could effectively bring down the central government, with a (quasi if youre lucky)-military dictatorship being the most likely outcome.

crazy thoughts? crazy sh!t happens when u play in the middle east. israel has the balls and cunning to pull off a lot in its neighborhood. if erdogan crosses the line between annoying and dangerous, he is finished.