Turkey Predicts Partnership With Egypt as Regional Anchors - NYTimes
A newly assertive Turkey offered on Sunday a vision of a starkly realigned Middle East, where the country’s former allies in Syria and Israel fall into deeper isolation, and a burgeoning alliance with Egypt underpins a new order in a region roiled by revolt and revolution.
The portrait was described by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey in an hourlong interview before he was to leave for the United Nations, where a contentious debate was expected this week over a Palestinian bid for recognition as a state. Viewed by many as the architect of a foreign policy that has made Turkey one of the most relevant players in the Muslim world, Mr. Davutoglu pointed to that issue and others to describe a region in the midst of a transformation. Turkey, he said, was ‘right at the center of everything.’
Mr. Davutolglu, who accompanied him there, said Egypt would become the focus of Turkish efforts, as an older American-backed order, buttressed by Israel, Saudi Arabia and, to a lesser extent, pre-revolutionary Egypt, begins to crumble. On the vote over a Palestinian state, the United States, in particular, finds itself almost completely isolated.
He also predicted that Turkey’s $1.5 billion investment in Egypt would grow to $5 billion within two years and that total trade would increase to $5 billion, from $3.5 billion now, by the end of 2012, then $10 billion by 2015. As if to underscore the importance Turkey saw in economic cooperation, 280 businessmen accompanied the Turkish delegation, and Mr. Davutoglu said they signed about $1 billion in contracts in a single day.
‘For democracy, we need a strong economy,’ he said.
The only thing which is factually wrong, and many folks have been repeating this, is that Israel is increasingly isolated. First, there has been a boycott of Israel in the Middle East for the last 60 some odd years. But Israel’s economy continues to do well—inventing essential items and technologies.
Turkey clearly sees a more lucrative trading position with the other Middle Eastern countries as opposed to Israel. The problem that Turkey faces is raising the quality of life in the Middle East to a level where trade with Turkey makes sense. The idea is basically to form an economic Ottoman Empire.
Is a conflict brewing with Israel? Could be, over the natural gas in the Mediterranean. Until recently, it seemed as though Lebanon and Israel would squabble. Turkey is now in the mix.
