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Ankara May Be Poised for Pivot From Middle East to Central Asia

Dorian Jones

   ISTANBUL - Turkey and Azerbaijan are continuing to deepen ties by
   starting a major joint military exercise Monday. The display of force
   comes as some analysts suggest Ankara could be on the verge of a
   foreign policy pivot away from the Middle East to Central Asia.

   The 12-day military exercise involves tank divisions, airborne units,
   and "special forces." Turkish-made weaponry is also set to play a
   prominent role.

   Turkish-made drones were pivotal in Azerbaijan's defeat in October of
   Armenian separatist forces, in a battle over the disputed
   Nagorno-Karabakh enclave in Azerbaijan.

   Azerbaijan's victory is seen as a strategic triumph for Turkey."Turkey
   has invested very heavily in the Azeri military," saidinternational
   relations professor Serhat Guvenc of Istanbul's Kadir Has University.
   The countries have close ethnic ties and define their relationship as
   "one nation, two states."

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