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Since the Israeli war on Gaza last January, Turkey´s role in Middle Eastern politics has become significantly more prominent.
When Recep Tayyip Erdogan´s Justice and Development (AK) Party took office in 2002, it pledged that it would not forsake its historic, religious and cultural bonds with other Muslim countries.
During the Gaza conflict, the party made good on its promise. Turkey´s government did not hesitate to voice its displeasure at Israel´s military actions, which it said were targeting the civilian population of Gaza.
Last week, the Turkish government demonstrated its loyalties again, banning Israeli warplanes from participating in an international military air exercise.
The Anatolia Eagle exercise has been held since 2001 under the auspices of a Turkish-Israeli military agreement signed in 1996. The war-game usually involves Turkish, Israeli and US troops, and has been seen by Israel as a golden opportunity for its pilots to practise over a much larger air-space than usual.
The Turkish decision raised eyebrows in Israel, where Turkey has long been seen as an ally, and has prompted concerns about future relations between the two countries.
"It raises the question: What direction is Turkish policy taking?" wondered Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, after Turkey´s decision was made public.
http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2009/03/200934165449939647.html
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