AMERICAN RESEARCH CENTRE REVIEWS RAND REPORT
Recent reports in various media have been published and articles have been penned by think tanks and non-governmental organizations, all dealing with predictions, forecasts and comments on Turkey-USA relations, Turkey’s position in, and her approach and plans towards, the Middle East. Every such think thank or organization is bubbling with tens, occasionally, hundreds of analysts. It is not quite true to give each one a serious consideration. That said, RAND Corporation, one of the more important institutions in the USA, has recently addressed the 16-month withdrawal plan of President Obama for Iraq. The resultant report presented to the public is an overarching one with details and comes up with solid comments and evaluates the plan with occasional criticisms.
Bahcesehir University American Researches Center, whose advisory board is presided by Dr. Zeynel Abidin Erdem, reviewed the RAND report in a detailed way in a roundtable meeting in October. Among the guests were Mr. F. Stephen Larrabee, the Europe Security Desk Head of RAND Corporation as well as retired ambassadors, who are keeping a very close eye on Turkish foreign policy, press members and academician. All guests shared their profound experience, ideas and predictions in a whirl of brain storm.
The USA’s step-by-step withdrawal plan for Iraq, which is currently buzzing political circles in Washington, the effects of this report on the USA’s foreign policy, its address towards the regional stability, references to potential position of Turkey in the withdrawal plan and last but not least predictions as to Turkey’s potential post-withdrawal policy were all discussed and evaluated.