Tweet
RE-ELECTED OBAMA FACES DIRE CHALLENGES
Hurriyet
Nov 8 2012
Turkey
Obama sails through the challenge presented by the Republicans
to retain his hold on the US presidency, but more storms clouds
are forming on the horizon, ready to impede his progress on issues
like Syria's crisis, Iran-Israel tensions, the Arab Spring and the
economic woes
Relations between Turkey and the United States are expected to enter
a new and intensified hectic period amid ongoing regional crises,
such as Syria's turmoil and Iran's controversial nuclear drive,
amid Democrat Barack Obama's victory in the U.S. elections.
Although Obama's relatively non-interventionist and multilateral
foreign policy will not shift much in its direction, expectations
are high that he will be much more engaged with global affairs in
his second term.
However, before diving into world politics, he needs to appoint a new
figure replacing outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Among
the candidates for the post of top U.S. diplomat include John Kerry,
a senator for Massachusetts, and Susan Rice, the U.S. permanent
representative at the U.N. Security Council, although the former's
chances appear much higher than they do for Rice, a career diplomat.
Rice's credibility, however, took a blow after making controversial
remarks regarding the killing of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens
on Sept. 11. Kerry, meanwhile, ran as the Democratic candidate for
presidency in 2004 but lost against George W. Bush. The Massachusetts
senator, who was at the same time chairman of the Foreign Affairs
Committee, is a high-profile politician with strong leadership
character and could continue Clinton's effective diplomacy.
Middle East top issue
Among so many important global issues, the Middle East will likely
be the most immediate issue Washington has to focus on as the crisis
in Syria causes more and more civilian deaths.
Obama has said he will continue his close cooperation with allies like
Turkey and Israel in dealing with the Syrian crisis without promising
more military engagement. Turkish diplomats believe there is room for
the U.S. to adopt a more flexible and even activist policy in Syria
with no specific demand for military action.
The Obama administration has not hid its concerns that an immediate
collapse of the regime would pave the way for Islamist groups to gain
power, making things worse for Israel.
Another major potential risk in bilateral ties is Ankara's
disappointment in receiving sufficient support from Washington in its
fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkish
government have become more outspoken, criticizing the U.S. for not
doing enough. The Armenian diaspora's pressure on the president to
recognize the killings of Armenians in 1915 at the hands of Ottoman
Empire will surely continue to be a problem as well.
November/08/2012
Hurriyet
Nov 8 2012
Turkey
Obama sails through the challenge presented by the Republicans
to retain his hold on the US presidency, but more storms clouds
are forming on the horizon, ready to impede his progress on issues
like Syria's crisis, Iran-Israel tensions, the Arab Spring and the
economic woes
Relations between Turkey and the United States are expected to enter
a new and intensified hectic period amid ongoing regional crises,
such as Syria's turmoil and Iran's controversial nuclear drive,
amid Democrat Barack Obama's victory in the U.S. elections.
Although Obama's relatively non-interventionist and multilateral
foreign policy will not shift much in its direction, expectations
are high that he will be much more engaged with global affairs in
his second term.
However, before diving into world politics, he needs to appoint a new
figure replacing outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Among
the candidates for the post of top U.S. diplomat include John Kerry,
a senator for Massachusetts, and Susan Rice, the U.S. permanent
representative at the U.N. Security Council, although the former's
chances appear much higher than they do for Rice, a career diplomat.
Rice's credibility, however, took a blow after making controversial
remarks regarding the killing of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens
on Sept. 11. Kerry, meanwhile, ran as the Democratic candidate for
presidency in 2004 but lost against George W. Bush. The Massachusetts
senator, who was at the same time chairman of the Foreign Affairs
Committee, is a high-profile politician with strong leadership
character and could continue Clinton's effective diplomacy.
Middle East top issue
Among so many important global issues, the Middle East will likely
be the most immediate issue Washington has to focus on as the crisis
in Syria causes more and more civilian deaths.
Obama has said he will continue his close cooperation with allies like
Turkey and Israel in dealing with the Syrian crisis without promising
more military engagement. Turkish diplomats believe there is room for
the U.S. to adopt a more flexible and even activist policy in Syria
with no specific demand for military action.
The Obama administration has not hid its concerns that an immediate
collapse of the regime would pave the way for Islamist groups to gain
power, making things worse for Israel.
Another major potential risk in bilateral ties is Ankara's
disappointment in receiving sufficient support from Washington in its
fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkish
government have become more outspoken, criticizing the U.S. for not
doing enough. The Armenian diaspora's pressure on the president to
recognize the killings of Armenians in 1915 at the hands of Ottoman
Empire will surely continue to be a problem as well.
November/08/2012