"TURKEY ADJUSTS ITS FOREIGN POLICY TO THE PLANNED U.S. WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ
By Emrullah Uslu
Thursday, November 20, 2008
U.S. and Iraqi officials finally agreed on a withdrawal plan requiring Washington to withdraw its forces within three years. The withdrawal will have a direct impact on Turkish-Iraqi relations. Ankara’s immediate concern is related to the control of Iraqi airspace, which will fall under the authority of Baghdad on January 1, 2009. This could affect Turkish air raids on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) camps in northern Iraq. With a green light from the United States, Turkish jets have been launching attacks on the camps since 2007. Moreover, since November 5, 2007, the United States has been sharing satellite intelligence from its Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAV). Ankara is concerned about whether Iraqi officials will allow Turkey to continue its air raids (Milliyet, November 19)."
More:Turkey Adjusts Its Foreign Policy To The Planned U.S. Withdrawal From Iraq - Eurasia Daily Monitor
