The World Policy Institute
at New School University
presents a special free event

WHY TURKEY AND WHY NOW?

a panel discussion with

OMER ONHON, Turkish Counsel General in New York, formerly Head of Department for Middle East in Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and

MOSHE MAOZ, Professor of Middle Eastern studies at Hebrew University and author of 14 books and 50 articles on Arab-Israeli relations, Syrian history and Palestinian politics

Moderated by

ALON BEN-MEIR, World Policy Institute Project Leader on the Middle East

More than any other time in the past few decades, Turkey can play a pivotal role in advancing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and become a major political and economic force in the Middle East. Unlike the European nations and even the United States, Turkey enjoys good relations with all the major players in the region. To achieve this, it has improved relations with Iran, mended a conflict over water with Syria, refrained from being dragged into the war in Iraq, made far reaching constitutional and legislative reforms, dramatically expanded economic trade and military cooperation with Israel, and has become directly involved in Palestinian economic development. Turkey’s role as a bridge between the Islamic world and Europe will also be explored. Turkey has gone through a broad reform process to qualify for EEC membership. How far will it go with its reforms? These and other subjects will be explored by the panelists.

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 6:00-7:30 p. m. Swayduck Auditorium, first floor, 65 Fifth Avenue (between East 13-14th sts.). Admission is free.

RSVP 212-229-5808 ext 1 or email wpi@newschool.edu. If you need special accommodations, please call at least five days in advance.