The Dangers of the Liberal-Islamist Connection (Conclusion of Four Part Series) By David J. Jonsson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In considering relations with Turkey, the West must remember that the enemy of your enemy is not necessarily your friend and ally. In a departure from its traditional foreign policy, which has gone largely unnoticed, Turkey is now becoming an important player in the Middle East. See: Turkey Rediscovers the Middle East, Foreign Affairs July/August 2007 and The city where Turkey’s republic lost its way, Financial Times June 26, 2007

Turkey’s growing concern over Kurdish nationalism has brought Ankara closer to the governments of Iran and Syria, which also contend with restive Kurds at home. The shift is also accompanied by the gradual Islamization of the country led by the ruling Islamist Justice and Development Party (known as the AKP), headed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has managed to tap into rising popular nationalism by fusing it with Islam.

Full Article...

Sphere: Related Content