Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar Assad (AP)
"The Turks could play a vital role in ending the cycle of enmity and suspicion that keeps the region on edge."Given the webs of countries that do and do not talk to one another in or about the Middle East, no one is better-placed than the Turks to defuse tensions by opening up new channels of communication. Turkey is on good terms with both the United States and Israel, and although its bid to join the European Union is an uncertain prospect, its relations with several key European countries are solid. In addition, Ankara has strengthened ties in recent years with both Damascus and another of Washington’s favorite whipping boys, Tehran. …
By making itself such a catalyst, Turkey could help accomplish several goals, all of which would help to improve regional stability - and therefore serve its own interests… They must, however, have an incentive to do so if anyone expects them be helpful. Further isolation is likely only to make them feel more threatened - and therefore more determined to undermine U.S. and/or Israeli policies across the Middle East. Access the full article>>
