Is there really a Saudi – Turkish divide?
By Adel al-Toraifi
Friday, 25 May 2012
Adel al-Toraifi
Dr. Meliha Altunisik, Professor at the Middle East Technical University [METU] in Ankara, published an article on the U.S. Foreign Affairs website dealing with Saudi – Turkish relations. In her article, the writer came to the conclusion that despite the rapprochement that has taken place between the two countries over the past few years, this has been hindered by a number of formidable obstacles and differences in opinion, particularly with regard to the Syrian issue. In her article “Bitter Frenemies: The Not-Quite-Alliance Between Saudi Arabia and Turkey”, Dr. Altunisik gives an account of the historical background over the course of Saudi – Turkish rapprochement, looking at the two countries’ stances on the Arab Spring. The writer portrays Turkey as a country that championed and encouraged the changes prevailing in the region, whereas Saudi Arabia is portrayed as a country that rejects this, adopting an antagonistic approach towards such changes.
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