Turkey's Unique Role in Nipping in the Bud the 'Clash of Civilizations'

S-CAR Journal Article
Dennis Sandole
Dennis Sandole
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Turkey's Unique Role in Nipping in the Bud the 'Clash of Civilizations'
Authors: Sandole, Dennis
Published Date: June 26, 2009
Date: June 26, 2009
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Abstract

This paper focuses on Turkey, a Muslim (but secular) country located culturally and geographically in, and between, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It has a well-embedded Jewish community, enjoys a strong positive relationship with the State of Israel and is a long-term member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Turkey has also been negotiating entry into the European Union, the pre-eminent example of the Kantian system of 'perpetual peace.' The paper addresses these and other aspects of Turkey's complex identity, exploring their implications for 'civilizational' peace, security and stability regionally and worldwide. The paper contributes, therefore, to the discussion on the complex relationship between Islam and the West by framing Turkey as uniquely well positioned to undermine and perhaps even reverse self-fulfilling, post-9/11 trajectories toward a full-blown 'clash of civilizations.

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