Turkey in International Relations

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Introduction

The formation of international relations in the context of the struggle for independence and strengthening international positions is the area of the Turkish development course that deserves particular attention. Tense situations in the Middle East and the aggravation of relations with imperial powers complicate the promotion of the values of freedom. Erdogan’s current policy is largely based on following Islamic concepts promoted during the time of the Ottoman Empire and involves moving towards independence. The assessment of the characteristics of Turkish international relations can provide an opportunity to assess its prospects and barriers to achieving geopolitical dominance in its region.

Turkey’s Views on Others and Others’ Views on Turkey

In terms of its internal development, over the past centuries of formation, Turkey has changed significantly. In his speech, Mr. Cagaptay, the author of the book about Erdogan’s empire, notes that the country’s official leaders “have converted Turkey from a low-income country to a middle-income country” (WashingtonInstitute, 2019). This conclusion is supported by the facts about poverty indicators and living standards and is reasonable.

The alliance with the US and NATO opens up positive prospects for Turkey, which allows other members of this military bloc to see in it an ally and potential partner in an important world region. However, as Cagaptay (2020) states, “Turkey’s nearby neighbours, such as the Greeks and Arabs, have a different memory of Ottoman rule than that of Erdogan” (p. 59). At the same time, Western partners note the positive development of the country with steady dynamics towards the establishment of diplomatic relations and the promotion of democratic values.

Impact of the Imperial Past on Turkish Foreign Policy

Erdogan’s vision of Turkish foreign policy is largely based on involving Islamic values as integral elements of his political activities. President takes into account the imperial past of the country during the Ottoman era, and some aspects are adopted. In particular, according to Cagaptay (2020), Erdogan “has taken steps to eliminate the Kemalist legacy and resurrect the Ottoman past – often in the distorted, Islam-dominated version that the Kemalists have taught him” (p. 287).

This trend was observed even during the presidential election campaign. The author notes that “a good amount of Islamic symbolism was choreographed into Erdogan’s oath-taking ceremony,” which indicates the policy of the revival of the Ottoman past (Cagaptay, 2020, p. 233). Such a vector is reflected in the international relations of the country and determines its current goals.

Mimicking Ottoman Sultans

The course on expanding the influence of Turkey in the international arena is a consequence of the past rulers’ heritage. In of the speakers’ performance at the meeting devoted to the Middle East issues, the activities of “macho leaders” are mentioned, and he notes that “Turkey has a similar issue with its past” (WashingtonInstitute, 2019). Today, modern politicians in Turkey, including its current president, imitate imperialist approaches to the power of the Ottoman sultans. Cagaptay (2020) argues that Erdogan’s foreign policy approaches are “a continuation of the policies of the country’s Turkish leaders, from the late Ottoman sultans to Ataturk” (p. xvii). This is expressed in a desire to create an influential country. Nevertheless, the key difference is in strengthening the state as a whole but not in an attempt to conquer new lands.

Sources of Conflict Between Erdogan and the Arab Countries

One of the main reasons for the government’s conflict with the Arab countries is the desire of Turkey to maintain its geopolitical integrity and independence in the region, while strengthening Muslim power in other countries. Cagaptay (2020) cites the president’s vision regarding the current situation: “Turkey can become influential only if it gains influence over Muslim states near and far” (p. 19). Immigration issues with representatives of the Arab countries prove that the state is not ready to give up its leadership positions and does not intend to concede superiority in the region. This, in turn, leads to disagreements and the lack of support for countries with revolutionary moods.

Future Scenarios for Turkish Foreign Policy

Several scenarios for the development of Turkish international relations are possible. In her official presentation, one of the speakers notes that “real linking with the strategic West” is unlikely (WashingtonInstitute, 2019). Turkey needs to maintain its independence and promote the idea of preserving the achieved values. A more likely scenario is presented by Cagaptay (2020), who remarks that the state should keep its position of “a status quo country” because ties with either Russia or Arab countries will not allow maintaining dominance in the region (p. 270). This assumption is supported by the idea that the aforementioned countries are “anti-status quo states” (Cagaptay, 2020, p. 270). Therefore, joining unions and promoting a close contact is unjustified for Turkey.

Sources of Tension Between Turkey and the US

One of the main reasons for tension between Turkey and the United States in recent years is associated with a policy of interference in the Middle East region in order to eliminate the threat of Islamic extremists. According to Cagaptay (2020), initially, “Turkey and the USA did not share primary objectives in Syria” (p. 131). The Turkish government was not ready to support the idea to “bolster the YPG,” which came from the United States (Cagaptay, 2020, p. 130).

These differences, in turn, identified other contradictions caused by the priorities for eliminating external threats. Cagaptay (2020) states that in the last years of the danger of terrorism in the Middle East, Ankara saw the YPG as its primary threat,” and “Washington considered ISIS as its primary threat” (p. 131). These aspects of foreign policy distinguish the interests of the two powers and create challenges for cooperation.

Origin of Turkish Foreign Policy under Erdogan

Despite the background of the Ottoman Empire, Erdogan’s course was developed later. Cagaptay (2020) argues that it “grew out of the tree of political Islam in Turkey, namely the Welfare Party (RP), the original home of political Islam in the country in the 1980s and the 1990s” (p. 32). At this time, a moderate conservative trend was formed, and all subsequent changes in the life of the country under the leadership of Erdogan were based on following Islamic rules with an emphasis on modern development. In his speech, Mr. Cagaptay matches “the economic transformation with political reforms” as a result of the course towards independence and dominance in the region (WashingtonInstitute, 2019). This assumption is objective in the light of the current success achieved by Turkey in its economic, military, and other sectors.

Aspects of Turkish Identity

In conditions of the struggle for dominance in the region in question and recognition in the international arena, Turkey promotes the ideas of independence and freedom as important values. Cagaptay (2020) cites the slogan of Erdogan, who, among other things, mentions “integrity, respect, and self-esteem” as the crucial elements of the national identity that defines the policy of the country’s international relations (p. 40). In addition, the author notes that the modern Turkish government implies “avoiding intimate ties with Middle Eastern states” (Cagaptay, 2020, p. 50). As a result, these aspects of the national identity determine the directions of the country’s foreign policy and explain its course towards promoting strength and independence under pressure from powers with imperial styles of development.

Conclusion

A comprehensive assessment of the features of international relations promoted by the Turkish government allows identifying its priority areas and goals. The Islamic background of Erdogan’s current policy does not allow submitting to either Western or Eastern countries and dictates individual development strategies. Contradictions in the Middle East are the subject of disagreements among Turkey and other major powers. The features of the country’s national identity determine its ambitions and movement towards independence and freedom. The foundations of the power of the Ottoman Empire are the background that the government uses to develop the state and enrich its military, economic, and other areas.

References

Cagaptay, S. (2020). Erdogan’s empire: Turkey and the politics of the Middle East. London, UK: Bloomsbury Publishing.

WashingtonInstitute. (2019). Erdogan’s empire: The evolution of Turkish foreign policy [Video file]. Web.

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