This Council on Foreign Relations-sponsored Independent TaskForce report examines the various trends in Turkey and assesses theirconsequences for U.S. policy toward the country and the region morebroadly. The report begins by taking stock of the modern U.S.-Turkeyrelationship, noting strains over the past decade stemming from differencesover policy toward Iraq. The Task Force then considers thepolitical, social, and economic reforms Ankara has made in recent yearsalong with threats to further progress. The report also includes a discussionof Turkey's potential role as a regional energy hub and its growingimportance to foreign policy debates within and beyond its traditionalreach in NATO and Europe.Within each section of the report, the Task Force offers recommendationson how the United States can support Turkey's continuedemergence and build a deeper working relationship that acknowledgesAnkara's growing importance. It encourages the United States andother democracies to urge Turkish leaders to follow through with theircommitment to writing a new constitution that better protects minorityrights and basic freedoms and clearly defines the relationship betweenmilitary and civilian authorities.The Task Force further recommends exploring a Turkish-AmericanPartnership to deepen trade and economic ties and calls on the two countriesto expand bilateral trade and investment. The Task Force advocatescontinued liberalization of Turkish law on intellectual property, tax,and business regulations. And it calls on the United States to work withTurkey as it becomes a more important actor in the energy sphere.There is much the United States can do, the Task Force says, to promoteconstructive collaboration in foreign policy, from partnering withthe Turkish development agency on regional aid to supporting Turkey'sburgeoning role as a regional economic engine. Close consultationsare warranted on regional challenges, including stopping the violencein and bringing political change to Syria and frustrating Iran's bid fornuclear weapons and regional primacy. American support for rapprochementbetween Turkey and Israel is also encouraged.