Abstract
Turkey is an ancient civilization having historically strong cultural, political and economic ties with the rest of the Middle East and Central Asia. Turkey’s location at the juncture of Europe and Asia enhances its geostrategic importance in the region. Its rapid economic growth, political stability and military strength make Turkey a regional power having the potential to influence global politics. Moreover, the changes taking place in the Middle East have relegated the traditional regional powers from their position of Arab leadership, paving the way for other regional/extra-regional powers to fill the vacuum. With its historical, religious and cultural linkages with the Middle East, Turkey has begun to impact on the regional dynamics.