Turkish diplomacy: An attentive neighbour

Major analysis feature. Turkey is playing an increasingly active role in the Middle East but doubts remain about the extent of its influence. Turkey's plan, as explained by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, is to become a 'global actor' and to help build a 'belt of stability, prosperity and security' around itself.

However, the writer asks: how substantial is Turkey’s influence, what is the scope of its ambition and whether its expanded role is as much a reflection of risk as it is of opportunity.