Joshua W. Walker
Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2010–2011
AP Photo
November 2010
"The United States and Turkey: Can They Agree to Disagree?"
Policy Brief
By Joshua W. Walker, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2010–2011
Given the headline-grabbing actions of Turkey this summer with regard to both Israel and Iran, a powerful narrative has emerged in which the West has "lost" Turkey. In this Brief, Dr. Joshua W. Walker argues that this narrative ignores the process of democratization in Turkey and the domestic pressures facing a populist Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. To this end, this Brief evaluates US-Turkish relations by placing the recent tensions in a larger historical context and assesses various points of convergence and divergence in this relationship today.
AP Photo
February 13, 2011
"Turkish Lessons, if Any, for Egypt"
Op-Ed, Boston Globe
By Joshua W. Walker, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2010–2011
"Because it must compete, the AKP also speaks to Turks across a much wider range of issues. Today the AKP speaks for a large portion of the Turkish voters who want to see changes made in the approach and character of both their Republic and its international relations toward the West and Israel. With a majority of the Turkish parliament and municipal administrations controlled by the AKP since 2002, the very structure of the secular Turkish Republic is beginning to change. Not through a radical revolution, but rather through an incremental and technical process mandated by the Turkish constitution, something the Brotherhood has never been a part of in Egypt. The AKP draws its strength from its pragmatism not its ideology...."
AP Photo
May 14, 2011
"Turkey Should Wield its Power in Syria"
Op-Ed, Boston Globe
By Joshua W. Walker, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2010–2011
"Syria's economy is in tatters and in need of reforms, regardless of the outcome of the protests. Unless Syria wants to follow the path of North Korea as an international pariah, which is nearly impossible because of its porous borders and central geographic location as a regional crossroads, Damascus has little choice but to look to Ankara for economic help. Stability — or, in reality, status-quo maintenance — has been the mantra of Ankara’s dealing with the Syrian crisis. But Ankara must give the regime in Damascus an incentive to make way for meaningful reforms, including economic liberalization, representative elections and transparent application of rules of law that the protesters are demanding."
AP Photo
May 10, 2011
"Syria is Turkey's Litmus Test in the New Middle East"
Op-Ed, World Politics Review
By Joshua W. Walker, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2010–2011
"...[F]ast-growing Turkey has become Syria's biggest trading partner and Damascus' long-term lifeline, both economically and geopolitically. The countries' ties have resulted in the establishment of a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, a free-trade zone, a visa-free travel regime and several mediation efforts over the past two years. In many ways, Syria has benefited more from its partnership with Turkey than it has from its two-decades-long alliance with Iran."
AP Photo
March 21, 2011
"Turkey's Regional Leadership in the Middle East: Principle or Realpolitik?"
Op-Ed, Turkey Analyst
By Joshua W. Walker, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2010–2011
"Turkey's position on Libya is basically rooted in its large investments in the country and close personal contacts between its leaders. In addition to the well-publicized "human rights" award that Erdoğan received from Qaddafi in December 2010, there are more pressing national economic interests at play. Over the past ten years Turkey has won almost all lucrative construction contracts in Libya and consequently as many as 30,000 Turkish citizens were working and doing business in Libya at the time of the uprisings."
AP Photo
March 6, 2011
"Turkey's Grand Miscalculation on Libya"
Op-Ed, Boston Globe
By Nader Habibi and Joshua W. Walker, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2010–2011
"If the behavior of Iranian government after the 1979 revolution and the Kuwaiti government after it was liberated from Iraqi occupation in 1991 can shed light on how a post-Khadafy government will behave in Libya, then Turkey would be better off to reconsider its position. In both cases the new governments in power politicized their foreign trade and contract awarding procedures. Nations that were perceived to have been friendly during the struggle were rewarded with profitable contracts while those perceived to have been hostile were ignored. If Turkey does not join the countries that are putting more and more pressure on Moammar Khadafy, it risks losing not only its hard earned credibility in the region as a champion of democracy but also its access to the Libyan economy after Khadafy is defeated."
AP Photo
February 13, 2011
"Turkish Lessons, if Any, for Egypt"
Op-Ed, Boston Globe
By Joshua W. Walker, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2010–2011
"Because it must compete, the AKP also speaks to Turks across a much wider range of issues. Today the AKP speaks for a large portion of the Turkish voters who want to see changes made in the approach and character of both their Republic and its international relations toward the West and Israel. With a majority of the Turkish parliament and municipal administrations controlled by the AKP since 2002, the very structure of the secular Turkish Republic is beginning to change. Not through a radical revolution, but rather through an incremental and technical process mandated by the Turkish constitution, something the Brotherhood has never been a part of in Egypt. The AKP draws its strength from its pragmatism not its ideology...."
AP Photo
November 29, 2010
"Can Kurdistan Serve as an Internal Sanctuary for Iraqi Christians?"
Op-Ed, The Huffington Post
By Joshua W. Walker, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2010–2011
"...[T]he arrival of thousands of Christians will be a heavy social and economic burden on the government and people of Kurdistan. Yet this humanitarian gesture might offer them several positive benefits. First, it will generate considerable international goodwill for the Kurdish region, which would be invaluable in future negotiations with the central government over disputed territories. Second, as mentioned earlier, Christians are a highly educated and skilled minority who would contribute further to the economic prosperity of the Kurdish region. Finally, by accommodating the Christians, the Kurdish region can demonstrate that it is a tolerant and multicultural society, and hence further enhance its image as a role model for the rest of Iraq and perhaps even the Middle East."
AP Photo
November 2010
"The United States and Turkey: Can They Agree to Disagree?"
Policy Brief
By Joshua W. Walker, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2010–2011
Given the headline-grabbing actions of Turkey this summer with regard to both Israel and Iran, a powerful narrative has emerged in which the West has "lost" Turkey. In this Brief, Dr. Joshua W. Walker argues that this narrative ignores the process of democratization in Turkey and the domestic pressures facing a populist Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. To this end, this Brief evaluates US-Turkish relations by placing the recent tensions in a larger historical context and assesses various points of convergence and divergence in this relationship today.
AP Photo
October 28, 2010
"America's Silence by Default"
Op-Ed, GlobalPost
By Joshua W. Walker, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2010–2011
"Given divergent views on Iran and Israel, and conflicting interests of a newly arrived super-regional versus traditional super power, American foreign policy towards Turkey is in dire need of extensive diplomatic engagement and leadership that is currently lacking given the absence of its highest diplomat in the country. America is missing a critical tool of effective diplomacy, namely a U.S. ambassador in Ankara that can help to communicate and coordinate an already difficult relationship."
