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Iran nuclear accord requires secular 'reset' of Turkey's foreign policy

In the aftermath of Iran's nuclear accord, Turkey can only play an effective regional role if it adopts a secular foreign policy.
Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of parliament from his ruling AK Party (AKP) during a meeting at the Turkish parliament in Ankara November 26, 2013. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX15TO8

The nuclear accord reached between the P5+1 states and Iran in Geneva during the early hours of Nov. 24 was a heartwarming sign that the international system can still produce diplomatic solutions. It is a success story for Iranian President Rouhani as much it is for the Barack Obama administration. If former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinajad’s extremism and irrationalism had not been replaced by Rouhani’s realism and rationalism — in other words, if Iran’s foreign policy had not truly been "reset" — the world would not feel as at ease as it does right now.

The Iranian example highlights the prerequisite that countries unclog blockages in their foreign policies caused by extremist and fantasizing leaders by changing the actors who cause such obstacles. It is hoped that the fears of some journalists closely following the Geneva process will not come true, and the planned final negotiations will avoid becoming a hostage of the Syrian crisis.

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