Research On U.S.-Turkey Relations Since “9·11”

U.S.-Turkey alliance comes as a result of mutual security needs during the Cold War. In the course of over 60 years, the relations between America and Turkey have experienced ups and downs, evolving from the original security consensus to the current “Model partnership” defined by Obama. Yet despite all the setbacks and unrest caused by the complicated international situation, rapidly changing regional situation and unstable domestic situation, the essence of the bilateral relations remains unchanged. Turkey is still the most trustable and reliable ally of America in the middle-east and strategic pivot of America policy towards the region. Meanwhile, Turkey serves as the indispensable bridge linking the U.S. and the Muslim world. On the other hand, the help and support of the U.S. means a lot to Turkey’s ambition in emerging as a remarkable power in the region as well as its pursuit to become one of the top 10 economies in the world by 2023, which marks the centennial celebration of the founding of the country.America’s global strategy changed since “9·11”, and the U.S.-Turkey relations have been improved. Turkey used to be Washington’s intimate ally and partner during the Afghanistan war, while after the “Northern Front” event in the Iraqi War the bilateral relationship dropped to the freezing point. Historically, the bilateral relationship has pulled and dragged itself forward. And the content of it enriches from the pure security consensus to the stability of middle-east and Middle-Asia, energy development and domestic politics of Turkey. In the past few years, the two countries diverge from each other on issues such as the Kurdish problem and the fight against the “Islamic State”. The adjustment of America’s strategic focus as well as the even more independent diplomatic policy of Turkey lead to reorientation and deliberation of the alliance. Both sides will try to get used to the “New Normal” of the coexistence of difference and cooperation and of obedience and gambling, continuously adjust and deepen the alliance system.Based on overview of the background, the impacts of the America-Turkey relations and reference to representative historical events, the essay analyzes the bilateral relations since “9?11” from four influential factors namely structural, external, personal and occasional events and further look forward to the future prospect. A conclusion is drawn that although there will still be irreconcilable divergences, the mutual needs in anti-terrorism, securing the free flow of energy and maintaining regional stability and Turkey’s realistic reliance on the U.S. will in general preserve the alliance relations. Besides, the development of Turkey will be the major variable in the course of the development of the bilateral relations.