Turkey and the Middle East after September 11: the importance of the EU dimension

Abstract

The tragic events of September 11th may have added a new dimension to Turkey’s global significance which had decreased with the ending of the Cold War. This article discusses whether Turkey can be defined as a benign regional power and how the course of events starting from 1999, such as the capture of the terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan and the declaration of Turkey as a candidate forEU membership have contributed toTurkey’s constructive role in the region. The changing nature of US-Turkish relations and Turkey’s domestic transformations are viewed in light of Turkey’s bid for EU full membership.