Turkey Facing a New Millennium : Coping with Intertwined Conflicts

Turkey's involvement in the Gulf War in 1991 paved the way for the country's acceptance into the European Union. This text traces that process and in the first part looks at Turkey's foreign policy in the 1990s, considering the ability of the country to withstand the repercussions of the fail of communism. It focuses on Turkey's achievement in halting and minimizing the effects of the temporary devaluation in its strategic importance that resulted from the waning of the Cold War and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the skilful way in which Turkey avoided becoming embroiled in the ethnic upheavals in Central Asia, the Balkans and the Middle East, and the development of a continued policy of closer integration into the European and western worlds. Internal politics are the focus of the second part of the book, addressing the curbing of the Kurdish revolt, the economic gains made, and the strengthening of civil society. Nachmani goes on to analyse the prospects for Turkey in the 21st century, in the light of the impending integration into Europe, which may leave the country's leadership free to deal effectively and finally with domestic issues. Table of Contents Turkey and the Gulf War - coping with intertwined conflicts the Kurdish problem the quest for identity international encounters what the neighbour to the West says - on Greek-Turkish relations a bridge across the Middle East - the Turkey-Israeli rapprochement