The United States and Turkey are primary actors in an international arena which is presently experiencing an important reposition in power. These two countries are tardily adapting to their lately specified roles in this different area. Accordingly, these two countries are aware of current conditions while keeping their eyes skinned on the future since the achievement of their long-run aims is at stake. But we have to first know what the long-run targets of country are. And so we can know its foreign policy.
The United States
In the Middle Eastern, the principal targets of the United State are safe-conduction of its accessibility to cheap oil, excluding of terrorism and ensuring the security of Israel. These three objectives are important in the country’s target of maintaining its safety and wealth.
Accessibility to cheap oil
Although the Unites States is the third largest oil producer in the world, the high consumption of oil and natural gas forces itself to be dependent on foreign suppliers. As a consequence of this, the Unites States unceasingly looks for the way for the access to cheap oil. In that respect, the Middle East is a extremely important area for the United States because it holds 60% of world oil reserves and 44% of world gas reserves. It is obvious that these facts play significant role in conducting U.S foreign policy. For example, Saudi Arabia is in the first rank in the world with its greatest amount of oil reserves. It is no coincidence that an arms deal had been taken with Saudi Arabia in the October of 2010. According to the arrangement, Saudi Arabia will buy $61 billion worth of helicopters and fighter aircraft.
On the other hand, Iraq is in the second position on list of oil reserves countries. It’s probably that the country’s huge oil reserves were one of the main reasons why the United States occupied Iraq in 2003. Now we see a strong armed forces presence in the country and it is obvious that gas and oil agreements are carried out between American and Iraqi government for the good of U.S.
Excluding of terrorism
Subsequent to September 11, 2001, the primary foreign policy of Unites States was to eliminate terrorism. Although United States announced that Bin Laden was death (it still remains to be unclear), the mission of Unites States appears not to be accomplished. Terrorism continues to be a threat to U.S and United States will go on committing important resources to counter this phenomenon.
Ensuring the security of Israel
We can define Israel as one of the United States’ closest friend in the Middle East. United States was the supporter of the creation of Israel. The partnership between the 2 states stays firm in spite of some clashes between them. The regions’ security is aimed by protecting its ally because in the Middle East arena, the existence of Israel means the existence of United States.
Turkey
Turkey is the replacement of the strong Ottoman Empire, and so the country has the concept of empire and greatness planted in the country’s collective memory. First of all, Turkey has to create a territorial sphere of influence, solve the Kurdish problem and become an important energy hub.
Much of Turkey’s distinctive atmosphere comes from its location (situated near Europe, the Middle East, and Russia) which make an influence on entire region. On the other hand, Turkey has to find out a way to cease the terrorist assaults of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
No Troubles with its neighbors
Ahmet DAVUTOGLU is ambitious to expand Turkey’s role in international arena and organization of friendly tie-ups with many countries. Given that Turkey has currently a problem with Kurdish problem, Turkey’s first policy is to avoid having any problems with its neighbors. For example; Turkey made a cooperation of energy with Iran in spite of the disappointment of Unites States. Turkey is also fortifying its ties with Syria. Indeed, there have been 50 agreements with Syria since 2009.
