Clearly, attentive eyes will immediately notice that Washington is searching for a new language in diplomacy. However, this new language is different from what we are accustomed to. It is broader, more inclusive, and more cautious. Interestingly, the most symbolic step at the center of this search was the American Pope's visit to Turkey. Of course, we know from diplomatic history that this visit was not coincidental. So, is this a result of the US realizing the heavy cost of excessive reliance on the Israel lobby? It is now a well-known fact that the interests of the Israel lobby are not always those of the US. As has been known for decades, the rhythm of US foreign policy has often been determined by the influence of circles close to Israel. No one can deny the power of the lobby here. However, today, a different idea may be circulating in the cold chambers of Washington. Because the national interest is now too big to fit into the shadow of a single agenda.
Recently, as Israel's domestic policy hardening, its growing international isolation, and the pressure placed on America by its human rights files have led to the emergence of a new path for American politics. Protecting your ally is one thing; shouldering all its crises is quite another. At this point, three critical risks have become apparent for America. The first is the risk of excessive dependence on Israel in the Middle East. Washington now sees that an Israel-centric security architecture has significantly narrowed the US's room for maneuver in the Arab world. Here, excessive closeness is turning into diplomatic isolation. The second risk is Europe. In other words, Europe has begun to question America's unconditional support for Jerusalem-centered policies. Frankly, for the US, the transatlantic alliance is too invested in the domestic politics of a single country. The third and final risk, of course, is the American public. Young voters, the Democratic base, church organizations, academics, and even some Republican circles no longer accept the equation that "US interest equals Israeli interest." This is no longer the world of the 1990s and 2000s. Now, viewed from this context, could the American Pope's visit to Turkey be a symbol of the new language to be spoken to break out of this spiral? Yes, in fact, the press is trying to justify the Pope's visit through the context of religion and history. But the phenomenon called politics is not only the visible face, it is also the message being conveyed. So, what is the intended message? Who is trying to convey the message? Against whom? Could the US be building a new soft power area through the Christian world? For years, the US's sole strategic identity in the Middle East has been driven by Israel and security. But now; the US may be saying: We cannot and have never been able to interpret this region through a single sphere of interest. So, why would this message be given through Turkey? Because Turkey is a NATO member, a gateway to the Muslim world, and a key country with the historical memory of Christianity. For these very reasons, the US may be seeking to re-establish its policy of balance through Turkey. In other words, frankly, the American Pope's appearance in Turkey: It may convey the message that the West is not a single-voiced but a multi-channel actor. Should this move now be considered a break with Israel? Of course not. The US may be trying to adjust the tone of engagement here. It may be trading unconditional support for critical alliance, support based on national interests, and a new strategy of close but not dependent. In fact, the American Pope's visit to Turkey could be one of the softest yet strongest signs of this new policy. In short, if the US continues with its old policy, this will eventually turn into a phase that shifts the world's center of gravity. The American public now clearly sees that foreign policy conducted under the direction of the Israel lobby is seriously polarizing domestic politics, alienating it from its allies, and causing losses in the diplomatic arena. Washington is now clearly seeing the cost of shaping world politics by remaining dependent on the interests of a single ally. The fact that decisions made under the influence of a single lobby polarize domestic politics, alienate allies, and cause losses in the diplomatic arena cannot be ignored anymore. Therefore, the US; It is attempting to rebuild its foreign policy with a multi-centered perspective. It takes into account not only strategic and military interests but also economic, cultural, and diplomatic balances. The Pope's visit to Turkey stands as a concrete demonstration of this new approach: strengthening religious and cultural bridges on the one hand, while supporting regional balance and multilateral diplomatic space on the other. For Washington, this is an effort to learn from its past foreign policy, which was driven by a unilateral security and interest strategy, and to pursue a more flexible, inclusive, and balanced path. In conclusion, Turkey, with its geographical location, diplomatic network, and historical legacy, is an indispensable center in the establishment of the new order. This multi-centered US foreign policy vision is absolutely incomplete without Türkiye.
