Geopolitical Visions in Turkish Foreign Policy


ATMACA A. Ö., TORUN Z.

JOURNAL OF BALKAN AND NEAR EASTERN STUDIES, vol.24, no.1, pp.114-137, 2022 (SSCI) identifier identifier

Abstract

In the last two decades, Turkish foreign policy has undergone a remarkable transformation and Eurasianism, with its anti-Western and pro-Russian rhetoric, has become more visible in the foreign policy practices/activities of the JDP (Justice and Development Party) government. This article identifies Europeanization/de-Europeanization, Neo-Ottomanism and Eurasianism as geopolitical visions that have shaped Turkish foreign policy goals and instruments during the JDP government era. The article argues that Eurasianism is a result of necessity as Europeanization is off the agenda and neo-Ottomanism is not producing positive results. Overall, however, the evolution of geopolitical visions can be accounted for not only by foreign policy concerns. Domestic political goals and economic interests also matter.