Turkey is a critical US ally in the Middle East and a member of NATO. Amid the Arab Spring protests, President Barack Obama praised Turkey as a model democracy for other majority Muslim nations.
If protests and Erdogan’s response create a wedge between the US and Turkey, it is likely to complicate American policy and diplomatic efforts in the region. Much of the military aid that the Obama administration has agreed to provide to the rebels is likely to pass through Turkey.
Turkey has already displayed its ability to complicate US regional policy initiatives by voting against American-supported United Nations sanctions against Iran and fanning tensions with Israel.
