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DEMOCRAT LOSSES IN SENATE MIGHT BE GOOD NEWS FOR COPING WITH CRISIS IN SYRIA
Daily Sabah, Turkey
Nov 5 2014
Ragıp Soylu
WASHINGTON -- Republican party got whatever it wanted from Tuesday's
election and majority of Senate now consist of red Senators. By
gaining seven new seats GOP now can block any Presidential nominations,
from Ambassadors to Surgeon General, and try to overhaul Obamacare,
although President Obama holds his veto power, and pass new laws
can make Democrat President looks like an obstructionist. Apart from
its echoes related to usual domestic political matters, Republican
victory means opportunities for Turkey's foreign policy and the
region's unsolved problems under the American leadership for the last
6 years. Republicans, who are famously known for their pro-active
approach to solve crisis in Middle East, can help Turkey to carve out
a proper strategy against ISIS and Assad regime in Syria. "Republicans
will force Obama administration to implement clearer and stronger
foreign policy. Senators, like John McCain, will increase their role
in Syria. Those senators who also usually called as "hawks" think
likewise with Turkey on the topics such as Assad's future, creating a
secure zone, carrying out a no-fly zone and training of Free Syrian
Army. In addition to this, they believe without American soldiers
being on the ground, air operations will be inefficient against ISIS.
"Dr. Kadir Ustun, the Research Director at the SETA Foundation at
Washington, D.C, said.
However foreseeing Republican strategy from now might be tricky too.
Some GOP members defended to stay away from military operations in
Middle East to cut spending and create a smaller federal state in
the past. BarıÅ~_ Ornarlı, Washington Representative of Turkish
Industry and Business Association (TUSÄ°AD), believes that conservative
voices in US' capitol also are bothered by Turkey's recent foreign
policy moves and Republican Senate might take an anti-Turkey stand
on some issues.
"However leading Senators defend a more engaging and aggressive
approach in Syria. They think, like Turkey, that there must be more
comprehensive strategy regarding ISIS."
Republicans favor Turkey on Armenian issue
Some changes within the Senate will help Turkey's distasteful
experiences with the Congress. For example Democrat Senator Robert
Menendez, who is very well-known for his anti-Turkish stance, will hand
over chairmanship of Committee on Foreign Affairs to his Republican
colleague. Menendez passed last April a resolution from the committee
accusing Ottoman Empire of committing genocide against Armenians in
1915 and calling on Turkey to recognize it last. A Turkish diplomat
said that such move was very unexpected and happened very quickly
at that time and it was the first initiative ever trying to pass a
resolution from Senate related to the issue. "We were surprised" the
diplomat added. Menendez's removal from this post will help Turkey's
uncomfortable and weak position in the Senate.
Republicans also kept House of Representatives under control with their
majority. It is another good news for Turkey as House Speaker John
Boehner promised not to bring Armenian issue to the executive agenda
of the chamber. "Congress won't get involved in this issue. We don't
write history, we are not historians" he reportedly said in his visit
to Ankara in April 2014. Ornarlı says despite Boehner's resistance,
because of the significance of 2015, 100th anniversary of Armenian
atrocities, some draft bills can still gain ground. Dr. Ustun agreed,
"it is very hard to foresee what will happen in next year. But
Boehner's existence is a big advantage" he said.
http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2014/11/05/democrat-losses-in-senate-might-be-good-news-for-turkey
Daily Sabah, Turkey
Nov 5 2014
Ragıp Soylu
WASHINGTON -- Republican party got whatever it wanted from Tuesday's
election and majority of Senate now consist of red Senators. By
gaining seven new seats GOP now can block any Presidential nominations,
from Ambassadors to Surgeon General, and try to overhaul Obamacare,
although President Obama holds his veto power, and pass new laws
can make Democrat President looks like an obstructionist. Apart from
its echoes related to usual domestic political matters, Republican
victory means opportunities for Turkey's foreign policy and the
region's unsolved problems under the American leadership for the last
6 years. Republicans, who are famously known for their pro-active
approach to solve crisis in Middle East, can help Turkey to carve out
a proper strategy against ISIS and Assad regime in Syria. "Republicans
will force Obama administration to implement clearer and stronger
foreign policy. Senators, like John McCain, will increase their role
in Syria. Those senators who also usually called as "hawks" think
likewise with Turkey on the topics such as Assad's future, creating a
secure zone, carrying out a no-fly zone and training of Free Syrian
Army. In addition to this, they believe without American soldiers
being on the ground, air operations will be inefficient against ISIS.
"Dr. Kadir Ustun, the Research Director at the SETA Foundation at
Washington, D.C, said.
However foreseeing Republican strategy from now might be tricky too.
Some GOP members defended to stay away from military operations in
Middle East to cut spending and create a smaller federal state in
the past. BarıÅ~_ Ornarlı, Washington Representative of Turkish
Industry and Business Association (TUSÄ°AD), believes that conservative
voices in US' capitol also are bothered by Turkey's recent foreign
policy moves and Republican Senate might take an anti-Turkey stand
on some issues.
"However leading Senators defend a more engaging and aggressive
approach in Syria. They think, like Turkey, that there must be more
comprehensive strategy regarding ISIS."
Republicans favor Turkey on Armenian issue
Some changes within the Senate will help Turkey's distasteful
experiences with the Congress. For example Democrat Senator Robert
Menendez, who is very well-known for his anti-Turkish stance, will hand
over chairmanship of Committee on Foreign Affairs to his Republican
colleague. Menendez passed last April a resolution from the committee
accusing Ottoman Empire of committing genocide against Armenians in
1915 and calling on Turkey to recognize it last. A Turkish diplomat
said that such move was very unexpected and happened very quickly
at that time and it was the first initiative ever trying to pass a
resolution from Senate related to the issue. "We were surprised" the
diplomat added. Menendez's removal from this post will help Turkey's
uncomfortable and weak position in the Senate.
Republicans also kept House of Representatives under control with their
majority. It is another good news for Turkey as House Speaker John
Boehner promised not to bring Armenian issue to the executive agenda
of the chamber. "Congress won't get involved in this issue. We don't
write history, we are not historians" he reportedly said in his visit
to Ankara in April 2014. Ornarlı says despite Boehner's resistance,
because of the significance of 2015, 100th anniversary of Armenian
atrocities, some draft bills can still gain ground. Dr. Ustun agreed,
"it is very hard to foresee what will happen in next year. But
Boehner's existence is a big advantage" he said.
http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2014/11/05/democrat-losses-in-senate-might-be-good-news-for-turkey