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16. (C) The greatest potential strategic problem for the US, however, and the one that has some of the commentators howling, is the Turks neo-Ottoman posturing around the Middle East and Balkans. This "back to the past" attitude so clear in Davutoglu's Sarajevo speech, combined with the Turks' tendency to execute it through alliances with more Islamic or more worrisome local actors, constantly creates new problems. Part of this is structural. Despite their success and relative power, the Turks really can't compete on equal terms with either the US or regional "leaders" (EU in the Balkans, Russia in the Caucasus/Black Sea, Saudis, Egyptians and even Iranians in the ME). With Rolls Royce ambitions but Rover resources, to cut themselves in on the action the Turks have to "cheat" by finding an underdog (this also plays to Erdogan's own worldview), a Siladjcic, Mish'al, or Ahmadinejad, who will be happy to have the Turks take up his cause. The Turks then attempt to ram through revisions to at least the reigning "Western" position to the favor of their guy. Given, again, the questioning of Western policy and motives by much of the Turkish public and the AKP, such an approach provides a relatively low cost and popular tool to demonstrate influence, power, and the "we're back" slogan. Source: Wikileaks
Below is the confidential memo leaked by Wikileaks in its entirety. In it, the analysis articulates that Turkey foreign policy has "Rolls Royce ambiitions but Rover resources."
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"As a colleague of mine, a seasoned Turkey-watcher, put it, “I gotta say, I have a newfound respect for the American diplomatic corps”. He had just read Ambassador James Jeffrey’s despatch from Ankara dated 20 January 2010, made public courtesy of the hell raiser de jour, Wikileaks. It won’t be too immodest to say that at times the ambassadorial memo reads like our latest ECFR report or indeed a post on this very blog. A memorable quote: “With Rolls Royce ambitions but Rover resources, to cut themselves in on the action the Turks have to "cheat" by finding an underdog (this also plays to Erdogan's own worldview), a Siladjcic (sic), Mish'al, or Ahmadinejad, who will be happy to have the Turks take up his cause.” " D. BECHEV
Washington’s man is also cognisant that the special relationship with the EU is key to Ankara’s appeal to newly-found Middle Eastern partners. The ambassador thought that an issue-by-issue approach to “frenemy ” Turkey is what the US needs. The bargain over missile defence struck at NATO’s recent summit in Lisbon suggests that continued cooperation, though difficult, is possible."
Turkey’s neighbourhood policy makes it into Wikileaks
30th November 2010 | Author: Dimitar Bechev
Below is the confidential memo leaked by Wikileaks in its entirety. In it, the analysis articulates that Turkey foreign policy has "Rolls Royce ambiitions but Rover resources."
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 06 ANKARA 000087
"As a colleague of mine, a seasoned Turkey-watcher, put it, “I gotta say, I have a newfound respect for the American diplomatic corps”. He had just read Ambassador James Jeffrey’s despatch from Ankara dated 20 January 2010, made public courtesy of the hell raiser de jour, Wikileaks. It won’t be too immodest to say that at times the ambassadorial memo reads like our latest ECFR report or indeed a post on this very blog. A memorable quote: “With Rolls Royce ambitions but Rover resources, to cut themselves in on the action the Turks have to "cheat" by finding an underdog (this also plays to Erdogan's own worldview), a Siladjcic (sic), Mish'al, or Ahmadinejad, who will be happy to have the Turks take up his cause.” " D. BECHEV
Washington’s man is also cognisant that the special relationship with the EU is key to Ankara’s appeal to newly-found Middle Eastern partners. The ambassador thought that an issue-by-issue approach to “frenemy ” Turkey is what the US needs. The bargain over missile defence struck at NATO’s recent summit in Lisbon suggests that continued cooperation, though difficult, is possible."
30th November 2010 | Author: Dimitar Bechev
