The Turkish-Syrian Relations (2002-2010)
Saddah El-Habashneh, Department of Political Science,Muatah University, Al-Karak, Jordan.
Abstract
This study has aimed at addressing and discussing the main aspects and envisaged future scenarios of the Turkish-Syrian relation since the ascension to power in Turkey of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2002. The study used analytical and descriptive approaches and has concluded that:
First: the Turkish-Syrian relations have witnessed a remarkable development after the coming to power in Turkey of the Justice and Development Party, with its Islamic background. AKP has adopted a multiple-dimension policy which has had influential effect on the Turkish relation with the Islamic and Arab worlds. The party policy has been concentrated on minimizing controversial issues with neighboring countries, working on making Turkey as an attractive core, not marginal, country through emphasizing the historical and geographic importance of Turkey and its relations with the Arab countries and Iran. For these considerations the AKP has adopted a policy of openness towards Syria realizing its implicit importance as a proper ally, with its influential role in the future of the region, the future of Iraq and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Second: on the other side, it is noted that Syria, since the occupation of Iraq in 2003, has found itself in political isolation. Syria found its opportunity to end this situation by enhancing its relation with Turkey. Turkey, therefore, has played crucial role to put and end to the international isolation of Syria and, furthermore, helped with refining the American-Syrian relation, and prevented USA from targeting Syria and encourage negotiation between the two countries. Turkey succeed in mediate between Syria and Israel and patronized indirect negotiations between the two countries in 2008. Also, Turkey realizes the Syrian importance and role in the future of the region and the Arab Israeli conflict.
Third: the improvement of the Turkish-Syrian relation has coincided with deprecation in the Turkish-Israeli relation. Formerly, Turkish-Syrian discord had been source of Turkish-Israeli accord. Turkish-Syrian dispute during the 1990s resulted from conflict over water and disagreement over the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party presence in Syria, these factors led to Turkish-Israeli corroboration during that period.
Fourth: Turkish-Syrian relation has improved, yet, there are some controversial issues between the two countries as the water issue, the Iskenderun question and the Turkish-Israeli military corporation.
It seems that the anticipated the Turkish-Syrian relation will improve, yet not at the expense of the Turkish relations with the West and Israel.
Key words: Turkish-Syrian relations, Rajab Tayyip Erdoًan, Justice and Development Party, future of the Turkish-Syrian Relations.