USA:s syn på Turkiet, från 1997 fram till våren 2007

Sammanfattning: The aim of this essay is to analyze the political interests of the United States Government in Turkey, from 1997 to spring 2007, using a qualitative method. I will also analyze any strategic changes during this period, by using theories of realism, particularly Structure Realism and Rational Choice. Using the Rational Actor Model (RAM), I will analyze how nation states such as the United States act in the political arena in Turkey. How can the US Government legitimize the support to Turkey and at the same time criticize there democratic deficit and their view on human rights. Turkey has been an American Military Ally, via NATO since 1952 and its demographic situation has changed since the Cold War. Turkey is located at the crossroads of the Eastern Islamic and Western Christian worlds, which complicates the situation. In addition 99% of the Turkish population is Muslim and only 1% is Christian, which has affected the development of relationships during the past decade, especially dramatic after September 11, 2001 when the United States focused on threats from Islamic Fundamentalist Groups. The RAM treats governments as unitary rational actors in the broader strategic environment when they calculate and prefer one political alternative to another. The RAM can be used to determine whether and how political actors, in this case the US Government work towards a maximized goal. Hierarchical position in structural realism is also interesting - the bandwagon alternative - which means that states jumps on either the strongest bandwagon or the actor that can guarantee the security of other states. In conclusion from a RAM perspective the analyze shows that the political interests of the US government had changed from a economic-strategic interest before September 11, 2001 to a more security-strategic interest after September 11, 2001. The US Government by using Turkey as military allied had focused on there national goals in Euro Asia trying to guarantee both Turkeys and US economy strategic security during this period. Especially buy controlling the oil and gas from the Caspian Sea. Turkey has also got the leading role and the mission of guaranteeing the peace and democratic development to secure an area of different cultures and religions in there neighbourhood. Keywords: Turkey, US, strategic, military, economy, energy, oil, gas, EU, Cyprus, human rights, Euro Asia, geopolitics, interests