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WaPo: A staunchly secular nation of nearly 77 million Muslims, Turkey is a key player in regional politics, particularly with countries such as Syria and Iran, with which Obama is trying to create new openings for dialogue.Lots of goodwill for Obama in Turkey:
Obama has planned meetings with the Turkish president and prime minister, as well as a speech to the Turkish parliament Monday. He is due to arrive Monday evening in Istanbul for visits with key religious leaders and a round-table discussion with students, many of whom will participate via videoconference from Europe and the Middle East.
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Turkish attitudes toward the U.S. tumbled under the Bush administration, falling from 52 percent favorability in 1999-2000 to 12 percent last year, according to the Pew Global survey. But the vast majority of Turks in this cheerful, bustling city seemed to eagerly welcome Obama on his first visit as president to a predominantly Muslim country.
