Changing Dimensions of Turkey’s Foreign Policy

Abstract

Since the changes introduced in Turkey’s foreign policy during the 2000s, it has reached a stage that calls for an urgent review of its regional and global strategic choices. This article analyzes Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s foreign policy doctrine, examines its limitations and critically evaluates its relevance to current foreign policy-making. Recent events in the Middle East pose a challenge to the soft power, ‘zero conflict’ policy introduced by Davutoğlu. Consequently, Turkey’s foreign policy rhetoric over the past two years has hardened, triggered by uncertainties in Turkey-European Union (EU) relations, the deterioration in its relationship with Israel, and the Arab Spring events that have engulfed countries in its periphery. Since the EU plays an important role in terms of the democratic and economic transformation of Turkey, the country’s accession to the EU would be important in ensuring both the continuance of its soft power strategy and its security strategy in line with Davutoğlu’s ‘strategic depth’ doctrine.

Introvertált külpolitikától regionális puha hatalmi ambíciókig. A török külpolitika átalakulásának elemzése

“…(Balogh et al 2013) Davutoğlu 15 As mentioned earlier Davutoğlu drew up his foreign policy vision in his book Stratejik Derinlik in 2001 (Davutoğlu 2001) and later he contributed to the concept with several articles for example (Davutoğlu 2008;Davutoğlu 2011;Davutoğlu 2013) 16 In 2013 a special issue of Turkish Studies was released that had a comprehensive account on regional influence of Turkey. see: (Oğuzlu 2013; Oğuzlu and Dal 2013; Çağaptay 2013b; Çağaptay 2014; Dal 2013; Kardaş 2013; Yeşiltaş 2013) On the issue see also: (Murinson 2006;Robinson 2007;Turin 2007;Hursoy 2011;Adam 2012Murinson 2012 himself, as the Prime Minister's advisor and as foreign minister also contributed significantly to the development of Turkish foreign policy analysis.…”