"Turkey accedes to a missile defense plan
Turkey agreed Nov. 20 to integrate itself into NATO’s planned ballistic missile defense, or BMD, network during the alliance’s summit in Lisbon.
Though a potential Iranian missile threat is often cited as the motivation for the United States-led BMD project, a deeper, strategic purpose lies in its ability to provide the U.S. with a platform to underwrite a Eurasian alliance aimed at containing Russia’s growing influence in its former Soviet territory. Turkey is also concerned about Russia’s growing influence, but until this point has been reluctant to sign on to a BMD proposal. However, sensing a geopolitical opportunity in its near abroad, Ankara believes that its relationship with the United States – which has frayed over the past year – must be strengthened in order to take full advantage of its blossoming role. Washington welcomes Turkey playing that role, particularly in the Middle East, as long as Ankara remains a strong partner with the West, something it is attempting to affirm with its consent to the deal."
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