Turkey-U.S.: Turkey and the U.S. have a deep strategic relationship, sustained during the Cold War by Turkey’s position at the southern edge of the NATO bloc. The war in Iraq and consequent increasing autonomy for the Kurds in the north have strained ties. The U.S. criticized Turkish refusal to allow American troops to deploy through its territory in March 2003, while Turkish officials continue to condemn U.S. reluctance to fight Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants.
Turkey-Israel: These two countries’ traditionally strong ties grew stronger in the early 1990s with both facing similar regional threats particularly from Iran, Iraq and Syria. Turkey’s evolving relations with Israel’s neighbors have put pressure on this relationship, but have also allowed Ankara to develop its unique role as a mediator between Israel and the Muslim world.
Turkey-Palestinians: Turkey recognized the existence of a Palestinian state in 1988; it was the first country with diplomatic relations with Israel to do so. Since Hamas’ January 2006 election to power, the Turkish government has advocated engagement with the movement and maintained close links with its exiled leader Khaled Meshal.
Turkey-Iraq: Turkey has consistently opposed the creation of an autonomous Kurdish state in northern Iraq. The Republic of Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, was supported by the Turkish government, as a result of their shared resistance to Kurdish independence movements. Since the beginning of the Iraq War, Turkish political and military officials have repeatedly expressed desires for cross-border operations to combat PKK militants.
Turkey-Iran: Ankara and Tehran have been at odds since the Iranian Revolution, with Iran actively supporting the PKK. Following U.S. military action in Iraq, mutual concerns over the future of Kurdish minority groups and the signing of an energy-sharing agreement have started to strengthen some political and economic ties.
Turkey-Syria: The relationship has been traditionally characterized by ongoing tension, with the two countries reaching the brink of war in 1998. However, Bashar Assad’s accession in 2001, the Syrian ban on the PKK, the shared fear of the establishment of a Kurdish state in Iraq and its influence on their respective Kurdish minorities all enabled a fresh diplomatic start and brought the two closer.
Turkey-Europe: Turkey was offered a prospect of accession into the European Union only in 2002, more than four decades after its application for association with the European Economic Community in July 1959. However, despite its 55-year membership in NATO, and the continuous efforts to transform the country into a modern democracy, major EU members led by France oppose Turkey’s accession into the Union.
