Turkey: A Bridge to the Middle East

Abstract

Turkey's geostrategic importance to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is widely recognized in the West. Sharing a common border with the Soviet Union and maintaining the second largest standing army in NATO, Turkey is positioned astride the main southern route of advance into western Europe from the East. It is this NATO role that is most often used as the rationale for United States military and economic aid. Often neglected is the critical role Turkey plays as a barrier to Soviet expansion and influence in the Middle East. Recent improvement of economic and diplomatic relations with other Islamic nations has added a new dimension to this equation. Today, Turkey is enjoying the most prosperous period it has experienced since the decline of the Ottoman Empire. Since 1980, rapid economic growth has resulted in a significant increase in trade with Arab states and this has led to corresponding increases in cultural and diplomatic relations. Increased influence connotes a stronger voice in issues affecting the region. The government's foreign policy objectives are a direct reflection of Turkey's geographical location, historical ties, and expanding Arab relations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 31, 1989
Accession Number
ADA209190

Entities

People

  • Allen K. Mcdonald

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Economic Systems
  • Employment
  • Foreign Policy
  • Foreign Relations
  • International Trade
  • Investments
  • Law
  • Manufacturing
  • Market Economy
  • Money
  • National Security
  • Security
  • Terrorists
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Ussr
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • International Relations and European Studies