A NEW TURN IN TURKEY'S FOREIGN POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Abstract

Recently, Turkey's policy in the Middle East has undergone changes due to global and regional structural transformations, as well as changes in the domestic political arena. Changes in US engagement with the region, as well as the growing role of Russia, have forced Turkey to strike a difficult balance between the two. The AKP government, while distrustful of both sides and aware of the sharp divergence of interests with them on some issues, has tried to strike a balance in Syria as well as in Libya. In addition, Turkey is in fierce competition with the Saudi ArabiaUAE axis across the region. As a result, Turkey's new Middle East policy is characterized by heightened threat perception, zero competition with other regional powers, increased use of military force, risky behavior and a brinkmanship balance.