August 21, 2023
Turkey Is the Real Key to American Influence in the Middle East
The United States has long viewed its relationship with Saudi Arabia as its most influential partnership in the Middle East. But Turkey is rapidly becoming a regional hegemon, while maintaining close ties to Europe and the U.S. through its NATO membership. With Turkey’s recent shift towards the West, as well as efforts to rebuild relationships with Middle East partners, its strategic importance is growing. If America wants to maintain its political and military power in the region, it needs to take advantage of this rise and forge closer relations with Turkey.
Now it is America’s turn to bolster a stronger relationship with Turkey.
From the U.S. perspective, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been a divisive leader, making formal relations challenging to maintain. His authoritarian and often ruthless leadership runs afoul of Western democratic principles. His unpredictable nature makes policies difficult to anticipate, as he has strained and regained ties with several nations. He maintains a close friendship with Vladimir Putin, yet opposes the war in Ukraine and the Russian-backed Assad regime in Syria. Turkish forces contributed to the war against the Islamic State in Syria, but some of its military incursions there have been a front to fight against the U.S.-backed Kurds, whom Erdoğan considers a threat to his country’s security.
Read the full article and more from The Hill.
More from CNAS
-
How to Keep Hezbollah Away from Power
Commentary
The Middle East is entering a new era; Iran is weaker than it has ever been, the Assad regime is no more, and Lebanon is under new leadership with the potential to create last...
By Delaney Soliday & Adam Koussih
-
The Democratic Party Has a Middle East Problem
Podcast
Daniel Silverberg, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, joins Brian for a candid conversation about the shifting politics of U.S. Middle East polic...
By Daniel Silverberg
-
Podcast
Indo-Pacific Security / Middle East Security
Ep. 45 | Global Swing States and the New Great Power CompetitionWith the future of the global order hinging on the outcome of today’s great power competition, a group of multi-aligned states has emerged with a growing ability to influence ...
By Richard Fontaine
-
Podcast
Middle East Security / Energy, Economics & Security
Will Iran block the Strait of Hormuz?The world has held a close eye on the Strait of Hormuz lately with Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran. Nearly a quarter of the world's seaborne oil passes through the narrow wat...
By Rachel Ziemba
