Well, there is the so-called "Trojan Horse" policy. The US backs Turkey's bid to join the EU, and Turkey then backs US interests, to the extent that it can, within the EU. I'm not saying it would necesarily work, from either a US or Turkish point of view. On that point, I have my doubts, but since I don't think Turkey is going to make it into the EU, it's a bit of a moot point as far as I'm concerned.

Not going to happen - they've been trying since the 1960s and they're still a long way from meeting even the most rudimentary criteria.

Sarkozy pretty much told Obama to butt out; who gets admitted to the EU is none of his business. Can you picture Obama or his predecessor talking that way, for example, to the president of Mexico on immigration? I didn't think so.

if turkey joins the Eu Im going to start a civil war

"The biggest country in the EU would be Muslim. That's a stupid thing to do. Obama is supposed to be smart. So why does he advocate a stupid policy? "

Definition: Realpolitik (German: real “realistic”, “practical” or “actual”; and Politik “politics”) refers to politics or diplomacy based primarily on practical considerations, rather than ideological notions. The term realpolitik is often used pejoratively to imply politics that are coercive, amoral, or Machiavellian. Realpolitik is a theory of politics that focuses on considerations of power, not ideals, morals, or principles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realpolitik

Webster Online Definition of Realpolitik: politics based on practical and material factors rather than on theoretical or ethical objectives

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realpolitik

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What Obama is doing, is Realpolitik. Given that Russia is dominating the energy supply of Germany, one way the American influence in Europe might be salvaged, is to offer an alternate route of energy supply for Europe. This southern route would be from Turkey. Of course, in the long run this method of Obama might end up becoming similar to jumping from the fire pan into the fire, but this reasoning explains at least the short run thinking here.

If Obama likes so musch Turket, why doesn't he purpose to make it the 51th state of USA ? It would be easier for him to realize that and European will agree to help him for improving the turkish economy. And he 'll be sure that Turkish people would be better pround to beacame américian citizen then europeen one ! Go on Barack !

This is a move by USA to reward Turks for being nice to Israel. Secondly, it supports the ethic of "hurt Western Civ" by moving the 3rd world Turks into Europe. This policy nicely furthers two important concepts of Western elites.

For all the idiots who thinks Turkey is a 3rd world country, I have one question! Have you ever been to Turkey? Islam is such a scary thing to the whole world. I don't understand why? Is it because some extremest bomb US? Christians or Jews do stupid things everyday. No muslim contry turn around and associated with the whole religous culture. There are extremest in every culture, race and religion. So one black guy robs a store than all black people must be thieves. That is the logic everybody is going by. So ignorant! Turkey is a secular Islamic country. Yeah 99% of Turkey is muslim but those muslim people are not even allowed to cover their heaads in government buildings. Turkey turned its back to all the muslim countries and the only Muslim country that is modern. Woman in Turkey are no different than other countries, they wear tank tops, mini skirts and everything else.

This just in... In response to Obama's statement, Turkey responded, "Gobble gobble... gobble gobble gobble... Gobble gobble. Infidel. Gobble gobble gobble."