Turkey’s Middle East Policy between Domestic Politics and International Requirements
Turkey’s Middle East Policy between Domestic Politics and International Requirements

Summary/Abstract: Despite its Western orientation, alienation from the Middle Eastern affairs has never been realised for the Republic of Turkey. For decades Turkish foreign policy makers had underlined the primacy of ‘West’ in Turkish foreign policy. However, at the beginning of the 21st century Turkish state elite found themselves in role searching between Europe and the Middle East. Since 1990s, Turkey has undergone a serious internal reform process that has changed the framework of its foreign policy. Particularly with the 22nd government, which came to power in November 2002, Turkey’s ruling elite has gained self-confidence that it can play a constructive role in the region. This development has created more room for maneuver in Ankara’s Middle East policy. However, as a result of domestic sensibilities and external pressures, the Turkish government has found itself to play a two-level-game regarding its Middle East policy. In this article, the 22nd Turkish Government’s Middle Eastern policy making will be analyzed as a two-level game, which has been played by Turkish foreign policy makers in between domestic constrains and international pressures.

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