Turkey is realigning its Middle East policy and trying to build bridges with the newly emerging leaders of the “Arab Spring.” It is also coordinating its movements much more closely with the West than was the case a few months ago.
Clearly the period of “idealism” in Ankara’s foreign policy, represented by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s overambitious vision for the region, ended with the events in Libya and Syria. Now is the time of realism and pragmatism.
This is also what is behind the much reported talks said to be underway between Turkey and Israel aimed at overcoming the “bad blood” resulting from the Mavi Marmara incident. The two countries obviously feel they have to improve ties at a time of great volatility in the region.
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