Anyone learning about the subject of Turkish-American relations only this week would be forgiven for assuming that these two countries don't have much love for each other and are headed towards a serious crisis threatening their tenuous ties. They'd be justified in making this assumption, given all the barbs exchanged between Ankara and Washington over these past few days.

But looked at from the perspective of over half a century of strategic and political ties, which have had their ups and downs, any suggestion that Turkish-US ties are in peril would be off the mark. Both countries now rely on each other more than ever, especially in view of the volatility in the Middle East.

Far from falling asunder, the two countries “have come closer than at any time,” according to Namik Tan, Turkey’s ambassador to Washington, speaking to the Turkish daily Hurriyet recently. But this doesn't mean that the sides see eye-to-eye on every issue. Both countries have differences in their policies towards to the region. And there are some touchy topics that trigger angry reactions, as seen over these past few days.

The week started with mutual sympathy in the wake of the deadly suicide attack on the US Embassy in Ankara by the maverick left-wing urban terrorist group, the Revolutionary Peoples’ Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C). So what soured the mood overnight?