Since the war in Iraq, Turkey has been sort of a role model for other middle eastern countries. A nation continually striving to gain prosperity and maintain peace with other nations. It has been ruled by a democratic parliament for over 60 years.
Its neighbor Syria has been breaking down with violence and tension. Its citizens are fleeing to Turkey in the thousands. Turkey has been understanding to these people and strives to help humanitarian and security concerns in Syria. They look at their neighbors as family and the unfortunate blood that has been shed as their own. The foreign policy in Turkey is to lend a hand without being asked first. The middle east does not need a civil war to break out in Syria and Turkey will support their peace at all costs.
Meanwhile tensions between Turkey and Israel increase as the UN “Palmer Report” concluded that Israel used unnecessary force against the ship which was providing aid to Gaza. They have still received not even an apology for the Flotilla raid last year. Therefore diplomatic ties have been downgraded as Turkey expelled Israeli diplomats. This worries many in terms of Turkey’s role in the peace process in the middle east with much concern over the long-term consequences as the political relationship with Israel crumbles.