“Precious isolation” is how a key foreign policy adviser to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan characterized Turkey's regional status some months ago. This was a highly unconvincing attempt to put a positive spin on Turkey’s increasing loneliness in the Middle East due to policies that turned out to be out of tune with the political realities of the region.
It is no longer a secret, however, that Ankara has been forced to “reset” its regional priorities after this isolation proved to be not so “precious” in the end. The Erdogan government is trying to return to the table now as an active regional player. This new drive also comes at a time when international efforts — including major initiatives by the United States — aimed at overcoming regional crises are gathering speed.
