Turkey’s Budding Relations with Syria and Iraq

By Stacy Maruskin (International Strategic Research Organization (ISRO/USAK), Turkey)

Some of us live by the same neighbors for ages and never seize the opportunity to introduce ourselves, become friends, or even acquaintances with them. We live our lives according to our best interests, and those do not always include inviting others over for casual conversation; this has been the case for Turkey. For years it has abided by its peace at home, peace abroad mantra, and although the Kemalist ideology should be applauded for all its accomplishments, perhaps the application of that policy has not always been in Turkey’s best interests. It was only recently that the full potential of Turkey’s strategic policy objectives could be realized due to a disdain for all things Arab and an absent desire for Turkey to expand its relations outside of the Western realm.

Over time, Turkey has shifted the conceptual basis of its foreign policy towards the zero problem with neighbors’ strategy, an initiative propelled by Turkey’s foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu. It was decided that if there was to be peace at home, then Turkey would have to become friends with its neighbors, neighbors that some hesitate to invite for a stimulating round of political debate and discussion.  This evolution has stemmed from a recent eagerness to play mediator in the region, foster stability, and of course, the economic advantages and viable interests that the Middle East has to offer: oil and trade.

However, Turkey is not only catering to its economic interests; it is establishing a cultural and political relationship with Syria that includes the added objective to strengthen security in the region. The recent announcement and celebration at the Turkish-Syrian border commemorating visa free transit was a giant leap forward in relations. Both countries will also cooperate in a future joint military exercise and they will continue to work together through the recently established Turkey-Syria High Level Strategic Cooperation Council.

In Iraq, Turkey is focusing on its confidence building efforts and it is trying to offer a stable model for Iraq to follow while ensuring security near its own borders. Last month, while Davutoglu was observing the visa free transit at the border, Prime Minister Erdogan was in Iraq signing over 40 memorandums of understanding dealing in such fields as health, communication, transport, oil and housing.

This recent cooperation and escalation of relations has caused an uproar in some circles. In a country where many take pride in Turkey’s secular stance, it is being accused of overstepping boundaries and creating too strong a bond of friendship with Syria and Iraq, fellow “Muslim brethren” states, and letting its relations with Israel split at the seams.  In particular, Turkey’s commitment to establish stronger diplomatic ties with Syria has critics accusing the former of purposely accelerating these relations to a point they seem to have blossomed overnight.  The fact that the above mentioned developments have coincided with Turkey’s quandary with Israel have only added fuel to the fire.  However, Turkey’s shift from a policy of non-involvement in the Middle East, specifically towards Arab states, to one of expansion began long before today’s budding relationship. Since the end of the Cold War, Ankara has fixed its position so that it no longer strictly faces the West. What looks like a quick pace “blossoming” of relations has in fact taken years to reach this apex.

The realization that Turkey needs to expand its relations has become even more transparent with EU accession talks lasting exceedingly long; it seems Turkey will never be on equal footing and Davutoglu is playing his cards correctly by striking up friendships with regional players. After all, isn’t that what the EU wants, for Turkey to link the gap between East and West? At a recent conference, U.S. Congressmen Robert Wexler chided Europe for its treatment of Turkey.  He stated, “How many speeches does the Turkish public have to endure from the French and the Germans that no matter what Turkey will do it will never become a member of the EU. It is not so bewildering an outcome if the Turkish public takes a different course. Stop thinking in five year terms; examine your own behavior, Europe.”[i]

Several are placing their bets against the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) new endeavors in Syria and Iraq, voicing concern that it comes at the heavy price of alienating Israel. However, Syria and Iraq are dealing with the same issues that Turkey must face in regards to PKK concerns, these three countries need to work together and coordinate a strategy so that there can be stability in the region. In Turkey’s New Middle East Policy, Baris Gulmez writes, “Peace between Iraq and Syria is important for the fight against PKK. Both states have stakes on PKK and their supports are crucial for Turkey.”  This statement holds true; all three need to combat the issue together if there is to be progress.

Turkey can be the bridge that Europe asks it to be, but it also needs the room and trust to maneuver. Since when did we decide to argue with a foreign policy that’s main goal is to promote peace and friendship? The media is fixated on Turkey’s burgeoning relations with Syria and Iraq. The AKP is accused of harboring Islamist intentions but their foreign policy motives do not seem religious or provocative- they are smart. Congressman Wexler also pointed this out, praising Prime Minister Erdogan as one of the brightest minds in the Middle East for aspiring to have zero problems with his neighbors. Turkey is acting in harmony with its own interests, and if careful, it can do so while remaining an ally to Israel. The trick Turkey needs to master is to tread lightly, not upsetting the balance or alienating its allies, while leaving footprints, providing lasting positive impacts in the region.

If Turkey should be accused of anything, it should be for acting in accordance with its best interests.  It cannot tip toe around the major issues plaguing the neighborhood or bite its tongue on matters of importance simply because some might label those actions negatively.  If anything is to ever be resolved, someone must step up and initiate dialogue.  Turkey is expected to be the strong bridge that carries the weight of the world’s most pressing conflicts, yet it is criticized for strengthening relations in a region that some states prefer to have nothing to do with. It is only by maintaining friendships with other “undesirable” neighbors that Turkey can live up to those expectations.

Many believe that Turkey cannot have its cake and eat it too; relations will Syria and Iraq will come at the expense of Israel or angering EU member states. However, with a little more tact, effort and diplomacy, Turkey can succeed in what has become an extreme balancing act. Davutoglu is going back to the root of Ataturk’s peace at home, peace abroad policy, his application of it offers a new approach and encompasses a much broader and long neglected region, one that cannot continue to be ignored if there is to be stability in this part of the world. Nonetheless, if Turkey wants to maintain a balance, then it needs to direct more of its criticism towards all that partake in violence in the Middle East, not only Israel.

Originally published in The Journal of Turkish Weekly

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author/s who retain the copyright.

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