Reassessment of Turkish Foreign Policy

Turkey’s Changing Role in the Middle East

Thèse de Bachelor , 2012 , 56 Pages , Note: 1,3

Politique - Région: Proche-Orient

During the recent years Turkey has put immense efforts in healing relations with its neighbors, establishing closer ties regarding various interest areas, be it economic, cultural or political issues and acting as a facilitator in its close environment. Interestingly, this kind of approach was increasingly voiced at various international occasions since the Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi-AKP) came to power in 2002. However, once one looks back in history, Turkey during the 1900s conducted a very different foreign policy strategy and viewed its close neighbors with suspicion and mistrust.
This study argues that there has been a reassessment in Turkish foreign policy which has helped Turkey to acquire a new role in the Middle Eastern region. In this regard, this research aims to analyze whether there has been a changeover in Turkish Foreign policy and if so, what were the consequences regarding Turkey’s relations with its neighbors. Along with that purpose, this paper will elaborate on the factors which have shaped Turkish foreign policy, primarily on economic aspirations. Furthermore, the goal of this research is to focus particularly on Turkey’s relations towards its Middle Eastern neighbors. In this context this study provides an overview about the different phases Turkish foreign policy has undergone and examines Turkey’s changing role in the Middle East. Consequently, this research will help to understand fully Turkey’s recent involvement regarding the Arab uprisings and increasing commitment to the Middle East.
This study is relevant in order to follow up Turkey’s increasing new role in the international arena. Nowadays, Turkey fills the news and headlines either in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and even in Africa . In order to understand recent discussions about Turkey one has to look behind Turkish foreign policy and in this sense, this paper provides a certain insight about former and current foreign policy goals of Turkey. Thus, to be able to see an overall picture, especially regarding the developments tied with the Arab spring, it is relevant to enlighten Turkey’s role in her surrounding regions, particularly in the Middle East.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. INTRODUCTION.
• 1.1. Turkish Foreign Policy
• 1.2. State of Research on Turkish Foreign Policy
• 2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK.
• 2.1. Complex Interdependence
• 2.2. Complex Interdependence and Turkish Foreign Policy.
• 3. TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY IN CLOSE UP
• 3.1. Turkish Foreign Policy during and after the Cold War.
• 3.2. Reassessment of Turkish Foreign Policy.
• 3.2.1. Reassessment of Turkish Foreign Policy-Making in the Middle East.
• 4. IN THE AFTERMATH OF TURKEY'S NEW FOREIGN POLICY.
• 4.1. Consequences of this new approach in Turkish Foreign Policy.
• 4.2. Perceptions about Turkey in the Middle East.
• 4.3. Turkey as a Model for the Arab World?.
• 5. CONCLUSION

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This study aims to investigate the reassessment of Turkish foreign policy and its impact on Turkey's role in the Middle East. It examines the factors that have shaped this policy shift, particularly focusing on economic aspirations and Turkey's relations with its Middle Eastern neighbors. The research explores the different phases of Turkish foreign policy, analyzing the evolving relationship between Turkey and its surrounding regions. Key themes explored include:

• The reassessment of Turkish foreign policy and its impact on Turkey's role in the Middle East.
• The factors shaping this policy shift, particularly focusing on economic aspirations.
• Turkey's relations with its Middle Eastern neighbors.
• The different phases of Turkish foreign policy.
• Turkey's involvement in the Arab uprisings and its increasing commitment to the Middle East.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of Turkish foreign policy and its recent evolution, highlighting Turkey's growing international engagement. It also discusses the current state of research on Turkish foreign policy, emphasizing the ongoing debate about Turkey's shifting focus from the West to the East.
• Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework: This chapter delves into the concept of "complex interdependence" as a theoretical framework for understanding Turkish foreign policy. It explains how this theory can be applied to analyze Turkey's complex and interconnected relations with its neighbors.
• Chapter 3: Turkish Foreign Policy in Close Up: This chapter focuses on the evolution of Turkish foreign policy, examining its trajectory during and after the Cold War. It delves into the reassessment of Turkish foreign policy and its implications for Turkey's role in the Middle East.
• Chapter 4: In the Aftermath of Turkey's New Foreign Policy: This chapter explores the consequences of Turkey's new foreign policy approach. It examines the perceptions of Turkey in the Middle East and analyzes whether Turkey can serve as a model for the Arab world.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This research focuses on the reassessment of Turkish foreign policy and its implications for Turkey's role in the Middle East, particularly in the context of economic aspirations and relations with its Middle Eastern neighbors. Key concepts explored include complex interdependence, Turkish foreign policy, Middle East relations, economic development, the Arab uprisings, and Turkey's regional engagement.

• Université: University of Cologne (Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität zu Köln)
• Cours: Internationale Politik
• Note: 1,3
• Auteur: Tugba Akyazi (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2012
• Pages: 56
• N° de catalogue: V204432
• ISBN (ebook): 9783656317999
• ISBN (Livre): 9783656318408
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Turkish Foreign Policy, Turkey, Middle East, Syria, Israel, Iran, Ahmet Davutoglu, Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Economy, Turkish Politics, Iraq, Arab Uprising, Arab Spring, Turgut Özal, Balkan, USA, Complexe Interdependence, Keohane, Turkish Foreign Trade, Nye