An Ambassador to Syria and a Message to Iran

The National, Editorial
June 30, 2009
"By offering stronger ties, and in returning an ambassador to Damascus, Washington is showing Syria—and Iran—that there is another way to go."

For the first time since the Bush administration recalled the U.S. ambassador from Damascus in 2005 … the United States will have a fully staffed embassy in Damascus. … To a certain extent, the decision is a leap of faith. Syria remains an important patron of both Hezbollah and Hamas, which have been dangerous sources of instability in the region. …

With more direct diplomatic channels to the United States, Syria can have a greater say in the Middle East process, to which the Obama administration has demonstrated an intense commitment. The United States wants to show that the benefits of partnership in this process are far greater than the benefits Syria would accrue in acting as a spoiler, or allowing others to do so. And while the American economy may be struggling, nations shun access to U.S. markets, aid and investment at their own people’s expense. Access the full article>>



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In-Depth Coverage

Original Commentaries

03/11/10
First Reactions  —
03/09/10
Understanding Ankara  —Morton Abramowitz, former U.S. ambassador to Turkey (1989-91); senior fellow, Century Foundation. Interview with Middle East Bulletin.
03/04/10
A Preview of the Elections  —

Setting the Record Straight

Turkey-Israel Ties Stronger than Public Denunciations

“The contours of the new Turkish foreign policy indicate a propensity to distance itself from the West and a quest for enhanced relations with Muslim countries, particularly those located along Turkey’s borders. One clear manifestation of this new policy is the current tensions between Turkey and Israel.”
—Efraim Inbar, director, Begin-Sadat (BESA) Center for Strategic Studies, article, “Israeli-Turkish Tensions and Beyond,” Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs, February 2010versus
  • “Turkey cannot afford to alienate Israel totally either. The ambitions of its foreign policy necessitate that it maintain good and credible relations with all the parties in the region. Neither should it lose its way in intra-Arab squabbles or render its foreign policy hostage to the, at times, delirious reactions of an excitable public. Just as Israel should not allow its current foreign minister’s world view and personality get in the way of safeguarding a critical strategic relation.”
    —Soli Özel, professor of international relations and political science, Istanbul Bilgi University, analysis, “Turkey-Israel Relations: Where to Next?” The German Marshal Fund of the United States, Turkey Series, March 3, 2010

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