Turkey, Israel, U.S.: A Careful Balancing Act

As the United States withdraws its forces from Iraq, it is expecting a re-emerging Turkey to be a force of stability in the region. This U.S. interest in a stable Turkish power fits well with Ankara's own ambitions to become a major global player. Turkish goals, however, require that it move away from its decades-old relationship with Israel and take a much tougher stance against its traditional ally. And this makes the U.S. challenge in the region even more daunting as it tries to engage in a careful balancing act between the two.