An Old Married Couple

A Catholic Marriage with Washington

Aslı Aydıntaşbaş made a good point in the article she posted from Washington yesterday: “The Turkish-American marriage has turned into a dull union. There is no longer love nor sparks in this marriage but a dull ‘transaction-based’ relationship. Therefore the future of the partnership is unclear …”

I don’t think any observer who closely follows Turkish-American relations would disagree with that assessment. In the past few years, that mutual trust, friendly feeling and a model of a cooperation-based marriage has notably lost its good old features.

Before explaining the reasons, let’s point out that just because a marriage loses some of its old spark and spirit doesn’t mean the relationship is going to fall apart. In other words, the couple isn’t looking for a separation.

The marriage continues, albeit with different feelings. Presumably it will last for a long time … in exactly the same way as a ‘’Catholic marriage’’ … (It is well-known the Catholic Church doesn’t recognize divorces) …

There are several reasons why the Turkish-American relationship has come to this point. Both sides rely on each other and don’t want to break up. Also, both sides understand that, due to their mutual interests, they will depend on each other for the foreseeable future despite the conflicts that occur from time to time.

Convenience Marriage

In fact, this marriage is quite logical. The union, which took place after World War II, was a marriage of convenience, though mixed with love and excitement of course — presently the weak spot in the marriage. However, one cannot say that everything is going as well as before. From time to time disagreements emerge and significantly shake the partners’ mutual understanding and trust.

The most recent crisis, generated by the Armenian draft bill, is the latest example of this. Previous serious conflicts and disagreements also flared up over Iraq and especially the PKK terrorist threat. There are even some regional problems on which the two sides can not agree, with the question of how to treat Iran topping this list.

There are several things that brought the relationship to this point, though the major changes have occurred on Turkey’s side of the relationship. Turkey is not old Turkey, and the world is not the post-World War II world. Today Turkey is strong due to its economic, politic and social developments and is also a country with greater confidence. Because of this, Turkey can develop more independent policies according to its own interests, which is appropriate. And, these interests may not always be compatible with American policies. In fact, in some cases they may even be opposing…

Turkey Is Not “a bird in the hand’’

Many officials in Washington — and in the capitals of Europe — now admit that Turkey is not “a bird in the hand,” and relations need to reflect this new fact. Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy Philip Gordon’s speech in Washington at the beginning of this week is a prime example of this new approach.

Because of the reasons explained above, it is inevitable that differences of opinion will continue to occur causing strains in the Turkish-American relationship. Naturally, these events influence both side’s feelings (especially in Turkey) just as in any marriage …

However, there are numerous subjects in which both sides share the same goals and opinions. Thus close cooperation in many areas will continue to occur.

It is these issues that bring the two countries together, due to common interests, and reinforce their need for each other. But these forces are not as strong as before. Presently, levels of love, trust and fidelity are not as they were in old times. However, the marriage is enduring under different circumstances. Regardless of how, it should continue …