A strong security partnership with Turkey has been an important element of U.S. policy for the last five decades. However, in the last few years, U.S.-Turkish relations have seriously deteriorated, and today they are badly in need of repair. The arrival of a new administration in Washington presents an important opportunity to put Washington's relations with Ankara on a firmer footing. Turkey plays a critical role in four areas of increasing strategic importance to the United States: the Balkans, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the Middle East, and the Persian Gulf. In each of these areas, Ankara's cooperation is vital to achieving U.S. policy objectives.

"Prepared for the United States Air Force"--T.p. "Prepared for the United States Air Force." "RAND Project Air Force."

Summary -- Abbreviations -- The U.S.-Turkish security partnership in transition -- Iraq and the Kurdish challenge -- The broader Middle East -- Russia and Eurasia -- The European dimension -- U.S.-Turkish defense cooperation -- The domestic context -- Alternative Turkish futures -- Conclusion: Revitalizing the U.S.-Turkish relationship.