This week in New York, President Barack Obama is expected to make the case for military action against Islamist militants in Iraq and Syria. He dispatched Samantha Power, Ambassador to the UN, to get the conversation started on the weekend talk shows.

"The Iraqis have appealed to the international community to come to their defense, not only in Iraq but to also go after safe havens in foreign countries and what they mean by that, of course, is Syria," said Power on ABC News Sunday. "So they've made the appeal to the international community for collective defense and we think we have the legal basis we need."

The big question: Should the U.S. go forward with air strikes in Syria and, if it does, who will partner in military action?

Turkey is one country the U.S. would like on its side. But the country, which borders both Iraq and Syria, has so far stopped short of publicly endorsing the US plan or offering clear support.

Turkey's special history with Kurdish minorities, both in Iraq and in Turkey, and its close relationship with Iran, are keys to understanding its stance on the issue, said Zachary Lockman. He's chair of the Department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at New York University.