[Do not dub me shapka broham]

I don't see what Turkey stands to gain from alienating its closest and most valuable transatlantic ally for the past five decades.

The government there might feel that by placating anti-American sentiment they can ensure a governing majority in perpetuity. They might even believe that by bashing the United States, and obstructing us at the outset of Operation Freedom, they will be able to deflect attention from legislative initiatives that are extremely unpopular among the most chauvinistic segments of Turkish society, e.g., their concessions vis-a-vis the status of Cyprus, and recent moves to grant the Kurds more autonomy within Turkish society.

However, if they think that the United States will rapidly forget the slights they have suffered at the hands of their putative allies, and supposed strategic partners, they are sorely mistaken.

[McGavin999]

I think it was a question of thinking that by being anti-American, it would curry favor with the powers that be in the EU. What they don't understand is that the EU is going to fight admitting them tooth and nail.

Their best bet was to have us on their side.

[SmithL]

No, we haven'tforgotten:

Rumsfeld Faults Turkey for Barring Use of Its Land in '03 to Open Northern Front in Iraq

[Owl558]

I'm sure the Europeans (France and Germany) made it clear to the Turks that if they supported the US in Iraq, it would end their chances of joining the EU.

Little did they know that France and Germany have no intention of letting them in the club any time soon. In the meanwhile Turkey will need US support on a variety of issues - Turnabout is fair play.

Allies help you in your time of need. Turkey is not an ally.