Publications Archive

Turkey’s Middle East Policy Reloaded: Rise of Pragmatism? October 10, 2011 / Saban Kardas

Prior to the Arab Spring, Turkey was admired as the rising star of the region owing to its proactive foreign policy agenda. But the oscillations observed in Turkey’s policy during the first few months of the Arab Spring led some analysts to suggest that the country’s regional role was in complete disarray, not least because Ankara failed to anticipate this contingency. Such analyses proved hasty at best, misjudged at worst. Turkey demonstrated flexibility in adapting to the rapidly evolving circumstances and has managed to gain a say in the political processes likely to affect the future of the regional transformation. As the pendulum swings back, Turkey is again being praised as an important regional player. Overall, Turkey has increasingly moved in the direction of putting pragmatism above idealism in the conduct of its regional policies. Yet, a corresponding change has not taken place in the rhetorical parlance of Turkish leaders who continue to advocate an idealist vision of regional order.