Turkey's maneuvers in foreign policy

The Obama administration, which was unable to produce effective foreign policies, not only weakened the position of the United States in the international arena, but also that of Turkey, one of the most significant NATO members.

The irresolute and hesitant foreign policies of the U.S. in the Syrian crisis disturbed Turkey's political stability. While the "Friends of Syria Group," which includes among others the U.S., Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, took the upper hand during the beginning of the Syrian peoples' uprising for a democratic and prosperous Syria, the hesitancy of the U.S. and the schism among the member states benefited the opposing pact composed of the Syrian regime, Iran and Russia.

During the last decade, Turkey took significant steps and made vital maneuvers in foreign policy. First of all, the bilateral relations between Turkey and Israel, which came to a halt due to the Mavi Marmara crisis, were restored. The military tension between Russia and Turkey, which emerged from Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane, were resolved through diplomatic initiatives.

Some academic circles have criticized the current relations between Turkey and Russia as an exaggerated form of rapprochement. Yet, Turkish-Russian relations have only returned to the position they were in before the warplane crisis. The assassination of the Russian ambassador to Turkey proves that some secret political circles are aiming to worsen Turkish-Russian relations. Yet, the resolution of the warplane crisis is for the benefit of both Turkey and Russia, and their allies.

The incapable Obama administration harmed relations between not only the U.S. and Turkey, but also between the American and Turkish people. Terrorist elements in Turkey have begun to allege that Turkey aided and abetted Daesh, while the Obama administration-supporting media extended the reach of the given allegation into the American public. The cooperation between the U.S. and the PKK terrorist group in Syria, along with Fetullah Gülen's residence in the U.S., seriously harmed the American image in the eyes of the Turkish public.

In the Syrian civil war, Turkey has made vital political maneuvers. Turkey stands as one of the guarantor countries for establishing permanent peace in Syria, while significant steps for the resolution of the Syrian crisis were taken under the leadership of Russia, Iran and Turkey and the observation of the U.S. and the United Nations.

Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield devastated the northern forces of Daesh in Syria, hence, the rightful rise of Turkey's international image as the main military force fighting Daesh. With Donald Trump becoming American president, Turkey's military operations against Daesh have begun to be more greatly appreciated by the American public. Now, political analysts argue that Turkey and the U.S. will work together against the terrorist organizations in Syria.

After President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's telephone call with the U.S. President Donald Trump, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Mike Pompeo, Vice President Mıke Pence, John McCain, one of the most important Republican senators, and the U.S. Chief of General Staff visited Turkey. In addition, the prime ministers of the United Kingdom and Germany also recently visited Turkey.

The dense diplomatic mobility of Turkey during the last few months proves that Turkey is by no means an insignificant country that can easily be isolated. Her geopolitical position, her proximity to international hot spots, and her alliance with the U.S. and Europe all render Turkey a solution partner for regional and international problems. In short, Turkey's recent diplomatic maneuvers demonstrate not only her diplomatic achievements, but also her indispensability for regional peace.