Public Opinion as a Determinant of the New Turkish Foreign Policy
Public Opinion as a Determinant of the New Turkish Foreign Policy

Summary/Abstract: Whereas Turkey’s foreign policy was traditionally considered to be a domain of the state, it has today – after eight years of AKP rule – become a subject for the public domain and an extension of domestic politics. Indeed, Turkey as a fast growing economy needs new markets and investment opportunities, a fact that necessitates an opening up to countries and regions previously neglected. While this is the main driving force behind the AKP’s new foreign policy, it is also true that the sentiments of the public, and the Islamic public in particular, are too evident in some of the choices made by the government. The author demonstrates these dynamics by looking at Turkey’s ties to Armenia, Israel, Syria and Iran. Thus, for example, Turkey’s growing ties with Iran are extremely popular among the AKP’s Islamic supporters, who admire the Iranian President Ahmedinejad. Ankara’s dealing with Iran’s nuclear pretentions has eventually left Turkey seriously at odds with the US and other Western allies. The author concludes that, while more democratic input in foreign policy administration may be positive in principle, political populism and opportunism can also change the orientation of countries and raise serious questions about where they are headed.

• Details
• Contents