Although Ankara presented its own policies on many significant issues, from Israel to Iran and from Russia to Syria, this did not deter Obama from making his first foreign bilateral visit to Turkey. Moreover, even before eight months passed since his visit, Obama hosted Erdoğan at the White House with high-level dignitaries. This picture not only implies a process of normalization in Turkish-US relations but also a turning point.Firstly, Turkish-US relations, which were first defined as strategic and then a model partnership, in fact have entered a period of qualified and normal relations. “A qualified relation” means one that continues not with absolute agreement but despite differing opinions. Turkish-US relations have so far existed with either “hierarchical absolute agreement” or “resentment,” as was the case after the infamous 1964 Johnson letter. Now, however, we see a style of bilateral relations between two mature sides. Turkey has been developing its own policies on various issues. It agrees with the US on some of these issues and disagrees on others. Yet, relations are not being broken off in any of these two cases, but rather move forward.
So Turkey, which has taken a leading role in world politics, has rid itself of being seen as a puppet in the eyes of others. With its new role, Turkey is becoming a leading actor not only in its region but also around the world, from West to East.
Secondly, as a result of the sui generis polices it develops, Turkey is hosted at the White House not simply as Turkey, but also as a representative of the Middle East and the Muslim world. The fact that all critical issues of the region, from Iran to Afghanistan and from Palestine to Syria, are handled in bilateral meetings, while bilateral relations make up only a small part of the meetings, is the most obvious sign of that. In addition to the fact that Turkey plays this role despite regional problems and the fact that it does not attempt to steal the role of others, Western capitals, with a few exceptions, are aware of the growing appreciation for Turkey in the region.
A survey by the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) conducted in seven Arab countries in November shows Arabs’ great interest in Turkey. According to the survey 78 percent of Arabs regard Turkey as a friend, while 61 percent regard Turkey as a model. Seventy-seven percent of respondents in these seven countries expect Turkey to play a greater role in the region. According to 76 percent of respondents, Turkey is the country to ensure peace among Arab countries, and 79 percent believe it is the country that will resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Thirdly, the significance of the last White House meeting was that it was a good answer to recent debates about a change in Turkey’s orientation [towards the East]. High-level dignitaries at the White House and Obama’s remarks following the meeting show that the Obama administration has no such concern since Obama said Turkey was a significant actor in the issue of Iran, which is frequently used in axis-change debates, and said he had sought help from Erdoğan.
It is known that some circles have certain aims when they assert that Turkey has changed its axis, and they keep the issue on the agenda under the influence of some lobbies. The reason for other concerns about this issue, on the other hand, is that Turkey is not well understood. It does not mean that Turkey changes its orientation when it adopts a stance different from those of the US and Europe. Those who still have perceptions based on the “former Turkey” are having a hard time understanding Turkey’s sui generis policies.
It is normal for those failing to understand the “new Turkey” with its growing economy, geopolitical location, social dynamism and proactive policies to make incorrect comments. However, Turkey is not seeking a “con-West” orientation as some figures like (retired generals) Tuncer Kılınç and Nejat Eslen claim. On the contrary, Turkey is seeking ways to improve relations with the East while not breaking away from the West. Is this not the right of Turkey?
