I'd be interested to know who people think who they think is the U.S.'s most important ally in the middle east? I will initially side with Turkey as I think they could become a good bridge between the Western and Eastern countries. However, I think their "secular" efforts could hurt them.
Tell me what you think and we'll see if you can change my judgment.
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Well that depends on your defintion of important. If you are looking at which ally of ours has the largest impact on the dynamics of the region then there is no doubt that it is Israel. If you are looking at the ally with the most potential to help us bridge gaps with our adversaries then it is probably Jordan. There is also the simple consideration of who is our largest trading partner in the region. This could be Turkey or several other countries.
I am surprised and curious as to why you think Turkey's efforts to keep their government secular would hurt us. I think that in that aspect they can serve as an example to the region. Also of our allies they are the ones who are the most pissed at us for the moment. After the House passed a bill accknowledging the Armenian genocide they recalled their ambassador. That is a significant slap in the face. They are still really touchy about that part of their country's history.
I think I was going for who would help us build adversaries. I am interested that you chose Jordan. I think even though we back Israel with the most aid they have a negative effect on our perception in the Middle East. As for Turkey...they take secularism to an extent that is unhealthy for a country and they back it by military intervention, which I don't think is a good method to resolve issues. I think as much as we want Turkey to be part of the West, it is still very much a part of the East, and to tell the people they can't have a party because it's too Islamic is to take away their democratic freedom. However, the military would argue that they are preserving the system as they fear a formation of a theocracy.
Perhaps you have heard something about Turkey that I haven't. From what I heard the secular parties in Turkey have been trying to block amendments to their consitution that would establish Islamic courts and Islamic law. If the military is using force to stop an Islamic party from organizing then that is wrong. Democracy means the people choose their form of government even if it is not one we would choose. Human rights is also a factor though. No government has the right to step on the human rights of its citizens.
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