These claims are the result of efforts to provoke Turkish nationalism by using anti-imperialistic rhetoric based on the belief that the US wants Turkey's disintegration. In the past, the US was perceived as a “savior” by some elements in the Turkish political scene, while others accused Washington of having a colonialist policy toward Turkey. Today, those who saw the US as the savior in the past believe that Washington has become Turkey's main foe, that it wants the country to disintegrate. The same people accuse the governing party of being a “collaborationist” actor at the service of Washington. However, they cannot manage to explain why an elected government would consider dividing the country, sacrificing its political position and creating conditions for a military coup or a civil war. Besides, it is not easy to understand how the US would benefit from a Turkish-Kurdish division in Turkey, which could lead to a contagious conflict: the US already has a lot of problems to deal with in the region. It is also meaningless to claim that the US has created this atmosphere on purpose in order to obtain leverage to pressure the Turkish government so the latter will not be able to refuse sending extra troops to Afghanistan.The Kurdish problem has the capability to influence Turkey's entire political system. Besides, this is an area that offers fertile ground for those who wish to prepare society for a coup d'état, as historical experience has shown us. That is why every dimension of this issue is linked to Turkey's problems with democratization. If the US supports Turkey's bid to join in the European Union, if it wants Turkey to protect NATO's evolving principles, to play a constructive role in the Middle East and the Caucasus, to guarantee alternative energy supply lines and to contribute to the pacification of the “East-West” conflict, then it has to pressure Turkey to become more democratic. In other words, it is in the national interest of the US to have a more democratic and stable Turkey. Furthermore, why would pressure aimed at making Turkey a more democratic country harm Turkish citizens?
The US is a global power that has the ability to influence and orient the international system's essential dynamics, even if it cannot dictate them unilaterally. Hence, every US political action has a direct or indirect impact on this country's allies and rivals. That is why the election of an African-American as the US president sent a message to the world that an era of transformation has started. Of course, in many countries, including Turkey, the change began long before Barack Obama's election. The problem is that this wind of change can create unpredictable instability and centrifugal effects.
Throughout history, countries with religious, ethnic, racial or cultural diversity have tried to resolve social tensions by using one of two methods: by establishing an authoritarian regime which frightens its citizens so much that they stay together (but in the long term this method creates greater instability) or they have chosen to use a pluralist and democratic approach. The democratic approach was already a part of the EU's membership criteria; it appears now that countries that want to have good relations with Washington have to respect this principle, too. So if Turkey wants to deepen its relationship with both the EU and the US, it has to opt for more democracy.
