ArmRadio -- With already-troubled Turkey-U.S. ties further challenged by NATO plans for a missile defense system, Washington is now attempting to use one of the touchiest issues in the two countries’ relationship to gain Turkish cooperation.

In official talks with Turkish authorities, U.S. officials said Ankara’s policies on Iran, tensions with Israel and position on the anti-missile system would determine the course of Turkish-American relations and be a test case for how Turkey wants to position itself going forward. Unless there is some improvement in these three areas, Washington made clear through diplomatic channels, Turkey should not be surprised to see a resolution recognizing Armenian Genocide pass before the end of the year.