The New Turkish Foreign Policy: Reassessment and Change

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. 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 East. 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 study 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. Consequently, this research will help to understand fully Turkey's recent involvement regarding the Arab uprisings and increasing commitment to the Middle East.

Autorentext

Tüba Akyaz was born in Germany and grew up in Remscheid. She graduated with a degree in Social Sciences from the University of Cologne in 2012. During her studies she has focused on economics, international politics and empirical research. As a young Fulbright Diversity-Scholar, she has visited the University of Kentucky in the States and absolved one year at the Sabanci University as an exchange student in Istanbul, Turkey. Currently she is working as a project manager and consultant in Cologne.