An American geographer specializing in southeast Europe and the Middle East examines Turkey's prospects for membership in the European Union, a process that recently received a positive recommendation by the European Commission. Of particular importance in the debate over Turkish accession are claims that cultural differences divide Europe and Turkey, and overshadow both their shared history and practical economic and geopolitical considerations. The author argues that two issues of great interest to the European Union and the domestic politics of its member states-immigration and regional security-relate directly to Turkey's geopolitical situation, complicating its bid for full membership. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: F20, J61, O10, O52. 3 figures, 3 tables, 53 references.