"Turkey - the West's last line of defense?
By Michalis Firillas
Not a day goes by without some major media outlet running a story, an editorial or simple commentary on Turkey's path toward full membership in the European Union. The importance attributed to this matter has created an exaggerated sense that Turkish membership is directly linked with the preservation of the West. Indeed, even Turkey's staunchest detractors would be hard pressed to deny that it is an important country, certainly from a geopolitical perspective. It is also possible to argue that in many respects Turkey is no more problematic a candidate for accession to the EU than many of the countries that were brought into the fold in 2004, or for that matter in the two earlier expansions. Whether Turkey should become part of the EU is a subject for serious discussion - one that should concentrate on the country's objective needs and capabilities, as well as its ability to contribute and coexist with a coalition of 27 countries. However, the current debate is based on certain problematic assumptions."
More:Turkey - the West's last line of defense? - Haaretz - Israel News
