Turkey’s “Zero Problems with the Neighbors” Policy: Was It Realistic?

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Ali Askerov, Director of Graduate Study (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: With the advancement of power in 2002, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has introduced revolutionary policies in Turkey in various realms, including foreign affairs. The new trend in the foreign policy focused on not having problems with neighbors. This could be possible or nearly possible theoretically but eliminating century-long and deep-rooted conflicts with some of the neighbors would not be easy in practice. The new idealistic/moralistic approach necessitated new ways of policy formulation based on mutual gains and unthinkable concessionson the part of Turkey. Ankara’s new approach had given a special importance to building bridges of trust with the neighbors, which also seemed attractive to the political leaders of the neighboring states. This idealistic/moralistic approach was vulnerable to the dynamic political and economic developments in the region and the world in general. The policy did not have a power of sustainability due to the various old, new, and emerging problems around Turkey and hence, the government had to give it up gradually and take a new course of foreign policy based on realistic approaches to defend its national interests

Additional Information

Publication
Contemporary Review of the Middle East, 4(2), 149-167
Language: English
Date: 2017
Keywords
Turkey, foreign policy, conflict, national interests, zero problems with neighbors

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