The trajectory of a modified middle power: an attempt to make sense of Turkey's foreign policy in its centennial

ALTUNIŞIK M.

TURKISH STUDIES, vol.24, no.3-4, pp.658-672, 2023 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 24 Issue: 3-4
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/14683849.2022.2141624
  • Journal Name: TURKISH STUDIES
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Historical Abstracts, Index Islamicus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Political Science Complete, Public Affairs Index, Sociological abstracts, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.658-672
  • Keywords: Turkish foreign policy, middle power, cusp states, historical legacy, pivotal geography, TURKISH, DISCOURSE, DIPLOMACY, IDENTITY
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This article explores the general characteristics of Turkey's foreign policy in long duree by introducing the concept of a modified middle power. It argues that its historical legacy, the ambiguity of its regional belonging, and its real and constructed pivotal geography have modified Turkey's 'middlepowerness' and led to its in-betweenness. As such, the Turkish Republic, in its 100 years of history, has developed different strategies that aim to both remedy and sustain this in-betweenness. It is argued that this characteristic has been Turkey's contribution to global politics. Yet, during the AKP rule, especially since the 2010s, Turkey's in-betweenness has been undermined, ultimately weakening Turkey's position and role.