The article is about a recent resolution passed by the US Congress that labeled the mass killing of Armenians in Turkey during World War I a genocide. The resolution has sparked strong opposition in Turkey, prompting protesters to march in front of the US embassy in Ankara chanting "God damn American imperialism." The resolution also caused the Turkish government to recall their ambassador to the US. However, Hilary Clinton said she, along with the Obama administration, was against the decision, calling it "inappropriate." She, along with Turkish officials, said that the resolution was untimely and put a strain on the already tense Turkish-Armenian relations, which were starting to strengthen.
The decision to call the Armenian killings a genocide does not fit into realist theory. Turkey is an important US ally. It's geographic location makes it a perfect "highway" for US supplies into Iraq. It is also a NATO ally, making it involved in the US-led NATO coalition in Afghanistan. If one was looking at this situation through a realist lens, it would clearly make more sense for the US to protect their interests in the region and not pass the resolution. George Bush did not let this resolution pass in 2007, possibly to protect US interests. This way, US and Turkish relations would remain stable and the US would retain a key regional ally.
However, one could see this move as foreshadowing. The realist lens could still be used if the interests we different. The recent Iraqi election, a "milestone" for the US War in Iraq, could symbolizing the ending interests of the US in Iraq. If all goes well, US troops should begin moving out in May. This would reduce the need to use Turkey a way to get supplies into the country. This resolution being passed could sign that the US interests in the region has shifted enough away from Iraq that the US no longer needs to curry to Turkey's favor.
I think it is okay to use realism to analyze. But from a realist position, I still do not think US will ruin its relationship with Turkey for a genocide in World War 1. It is true that it seems that US troops may leave Iraq this May. But this does not mean that US has done with Iraq war. I think from a realist prospective, I will argue that the resolution Turkey does not matter at all, for it has nothing to do with two countries' interests and they just make some gestures. In a word, a realist will argue that the US-Turkey relationship will not be influenced by the resolution.
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