Video Related To: Turkey's Syria problem

The Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut held a conference on the Perceptions and Realities of Turkey's Role in a Changing Arab World. The focus was the foreign policy of Turkey in light of the recent tensions in the region. Turkish figures believed that the perceptions toward Turkey have changed since the popular call for change in the Arab world began. After Turkey presented itself as an example of secularism, democracy, and economic development, it finds itself having sour relations with countries like Syria which was until recently a friend. After the kidnapping of 11 Lebanese pilgrims by the Syrian rebels, Turkey was seen by Lebanon not as a mere moderator but as a country which is also biased based on its interests. Turkish observers believe that Turkey wants to be seen as a side with no sectarian intention. Back in 2008 Turkey's Prime Minister Regeb Erdogan enjoyed growing support among Lebanese for his pro-Palestinian stance. Lately, analysts believe this stance could subside; however, the changes in themselves have created problems for all the major players in the region. Observers see that the impact of the revolutions in the region will remain a hot topic of debate. Turkey's previous stance of zero problems with its neighbors seems to have transformed, not only finding itself in a face-off with Syria, but also losing much of its support in Lebanon especially since the issue of kidnapped pilgrims remains unsolved.