The Evolving Geopolitics of Turkey: Redefining a Strategic Partnership

Date of Graduation

Spring 2008

Degree

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Department

Defense and Strategic Studies

Committee Chair

Henry F. Cooper

Abstract

Since the end of the Cold War, the U.S. has risen as a dominate actor in world affairs; multiple state and non-state actors have risen to challenge and complicate international relations; and cooperative pivotal relationships once deemed strong and stable have begun to wane in strategic utility. The U.S.-Turkish partnership is one such example where relations have deteriorated since the fall of the Soviet Union and in the shadow of both nations growing foreign policy agendas. Given the current weakened status of U.S.-Turkish relations, Ankara and Washington must redefine their strategic partnership to cooperatively move past its Cold War-esque mentality and evolve to fit within the current and future frameworks of both states' security policies. The two strategic partners need to generate a set of commonalities to rejuvenate and strengthen relations, increase diplomatic efforts, accentuate and acknowledge their mutual responsibilities and roles as influential regional security actors, and formulate specific areas of common interests with which to interact. Such a set of commonalities that could achieve these ends include, but are not limited to: working towards jointly improving assistance programs, as well as military-to-military exchanges and training; creating a framework for open diplomatic dialogue and public diplomacy; coordinating threat perceptions and creating action-oriented agendas through international initiatives aimed at combating terrorism and WMD proliferation; and investing in Turkey's future as an energy transit corridor to the West.

Keywords

U.S.-Turkey relations, PKK, geopolitics, reestablishing relations, middle east

Subject Categories

Defense and Security Studies

Copyright

© Seeba Elizabeth Pepper

Citation-only

Campus Only

Share

COinS