Closer Iran ties could help end swamped Turkey from political crisis: Analyst

A political analyst says that the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan could end the political bickering in his government by forming a closer alliance with Iran.

In an article published by The New York Times on Sunday, professor of international affairs at Johns Hopkins University Vali Reza Nasr said that Erdogan’s government faces a political challenge due to a recent bribery and corruption scandal, sluggish economic growth and setbacks in foreign policy.

In the past year, “Erdogan’s Middle East policy has gone adrift. Tumult across the region has eroded Turkey’s influence and dented its economic aspirations.”

However, a new foreign policy strategy could help Erdogan to repair the tarnished image of his Justice and Development Party ( AKP|) if “he can show that Turkey will once again play a central role in the Middle East,” the analyst added.

“With American influence in the region in decline, and with Israel and the Persian Gulf monarchies finding themselves united in their opposition to Iran, Turkey could find itself playing a central role thanks to its links with Iran,” he added.

The analyst noted that Turkey has an opportunity to restore its international standing through a new Turkish-Iranian partnership.

“The Iranian turn has come at an opportune time for Turkish foreign policy …. . In Iraq, where a crucial oil deal hangs in the balance, Turkey needs Iranian cooperation. It also needs Iran’s help on Syria,” Nasr said commenting on the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers.

Turkey plunged into political crisis after dozens of government officials and prominent businessmen close to the Turkish premier were arrested for inquiry on graft charges on December 17.