[cm3]

While Turkey has conflicts with some groups who want to grab part of the land or overthrow the government, they are FWIW a useful ally in the region because they have mostly-friendly dealings with UAE, Saudis, Iran, parts of Africa and also Israel. The degree of diplomacy varies, but there aren't many NATO members in that region who are as compatible when it comes to diplomatic ties with the region's powers. Russia, unfortunately doesn't deal with Iran, Israel and the Saudis the same way.

Given their growing business ties and influence in the region, maybe China can be another powerful ally. Or India. It certainly would help to have more than one dependable ally there, but China, like Russia, is in a weird power-play game with the USA, Australia, etc. Russia is more biased than Turkey, and that says a lot since Turkey cannot be a neutral Switzerland type because of their borders and demographic, so they're less of an option.

Also, let's not forget that Turkey has better relations with some ex-USSR nation that have considerable natural resources, due to cultural heritage, but then again strained relations with most of the ex-USSR countries.

It's a mess, but that's world politics.

[the_watcher]

Turkey has the same advantages now that caused it to be the arguable center of the Western world for parts of the previous several centuries: it's simply wildly well-placed, geopolitically. Russia needs at least the presence of a relationship given its never-ending pursuit for warm water ports. Europe realizes that, as the sole overland route to the Middle East (and by extension, all of Asia) without going through Russia, that Turkey is key to both the economic and territorial security of the continent. The Middle Eastern nations recognize that Turkey is a nation with enough Islam in its identity that they are more able to sell their populaces on explicit cooperation, and due to Turkey's importance geopolitically, can be a convenient partner that allows them some interaction with the West (that doesn't need to be sold or hidden to their population). Finally, so long as the US continues to have ambitions in the Middle East or in counterbalancing against Russia, Turkey will remain important because of all of the previously listed reasons.

Once you start paying attention to geopolitics, it becomes fascinating. It helps explain a huge slice of Russian behavior that seems far less logical at first glance, as well as why certain parts of the world seem to be perennial hotbeds of conflict, no matter the prevailing rulers or ideologies.

[lighttower]

This doesn't explain why you need obsolete nuclear warheads sitting 70km from ISIS. Maybe it's a honeypot?

[rrggrr]

Turkey has not been a particularly useful US ally in the region in several decades and it won't be again, perhaps ever. The continued decline of US, Saudi and Russian influence in the Middle East is an irreversible trend, and Turkey is configuring itself to become a leader in the future of the region, both in cooperation and competition with Iran. I think its time for the US to depart Turkey, H-bombs and all, and stop clinging to delusions of power and influence that no longer exist and which face continued decline.

[PopsiclePete]

Declining Russian, Saudi, and US influence in the Middle East? So who's influence is growing at the expense of all of those? Iran's?

[MagnumOpus]

Iran's for sure, particularly with Shia countries, but even with the others as Iran's economic clout growth with the end of oil sanctions.

China's as long as they are willing to funnel money their way via One Belt One Road. (Though China is more interested in Africa than the ME, with good reason.)

Turkey's, particularly with Sunni countries, and also Azerbaijan (shiite but they are united in hatred of Armenians).

[dragonwriter]

The people living in each individual country?

[marze]

That's the complicated viewpoint.

The simple viewpoint is that it is completely nuts.