Turkey's Growing International Politics and Strategic Diplomacy

The Turks have always found their way of becoming the center of attention of international politics and global diplomacy in one way or the other. Historically starting from the Sultans of the Ottoman empire to the modernization of Mustafa Kamal Ataturk after World War 1 and today in the revival of the Turkish empire under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey has always taken keen interest in the regional and international political developments in her surroundings.

Middle East

Turkey's heavy influence in the Middle East cannot be denied. Yet it's role is seen as somewhat critical and controversial. Historically large parts of the Middle East was considered as Ottoman territory before the loss in WW1 and the dissolution of the empire in 1921 by allies. It is eminent that the Turks would like to keep a considerable amount of influence in the Middle East especially the regions close to the Turkish borders. 

Syrian Policy

Turkey has adopted an aggressive Syrian policy, merely due to common borders and a constant security threat to it's national interests. The Turkish government is very sensitive and cautious on the Kurd issue. It opposes Kurd nationalist views and any kind of Kurd self autonomy in the region. Erdogan's government has categorically declared PKK, YPG and other similar Kurd political forces and armed militias as enemies of the Turkish nation and even conducted military operations inside Syria. 

In this photo provided by Turkey's Islamic aid group of IHH, Syrians fleeing the conflict in Azaz region walk at the Bab al-Salam border gate, Syria, Feb. 5, 2016.

 

IHH/AP

ISIS, Al-Nusra and Al-Qaeda's presence in Syria is also a threat to the Turkish national interests. Turkey has deployed heavy troops on the Syrian border and even built a 115 kilometer long buffer zone in Northern Syria in August 2019. Despite having a hostile relationship with Syria's Bashar-Al-Assad, Turkey has achieved her strategic and diplomatic goals in the region by securing it's national and regional interests.

Photo: Reuters 

Relations with Israel

Previously Turkey had a love and hate relation with Israel. In 2000's both the countries' bilateral relations drastically deteriorated after Gaza bombings, describing Israeli policy in the Gaza Strip as "state-sponsored terrorism". All diplomatic operations are suspended between the two countries. Over the years Erdogan has distanced himself from the Israeli leadership and vocally supports the Palestinians for their right of freedom.

Almost a war with Russia

Turkish government took an audacious step when they shot down a Russia Su-024 back in 2015. Turkey claimed the Russian jet violated Turkish airspace up to a depth of 2.19 kilometer. The relations between both the countries came to a breaking point. To the extent that a limited war between Turkish armed forces and Russian forces was seen around the corner, but both nations decided not to engage in any kind of conflict after an hour of telephonic conversation between both countries' foreign ministers. Another diplomatic victory of Turkey after indulging herself in such a hostile situation. 

Role in Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

In the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Turkey is in full support of their Azerbaijani allies. There were also reports of Turkey using Syrian rebels to fight the Arminian forces.  According to other reports Armenia accused Turkey of shooting down an Armenian Su-25, yet Turkey denies any such incident. Turkey is seen openly criticizing Armenian actions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It was not surprising to see Turkey stepping that quick in the conflict as it did. On the other hand Russia seems to support Armenia countering Turkish strategy. 

Turkish National Defense Minister Akar and Turkish Force Command in Azerbaijan

Photograph: Arif Akdoğan

A Muslim Block

Back in 2019 a Muslim Block was being formulated while Turkey playing a key role in it. Leadership of Turkey, Malaysia and Pakistan conducted joint meetings discussing major issues faced by Muslims all around the world including the phenomenon of Islamophobia. Later during the UNGA speech Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the Kashmir conflict the "burning issue". He also said "Steps taken following the abolition of the special status of [occupied] Jammu and Kashmir further complicated the problem. We are in favor of solving this issue through dialogue within the framework of the UN resolutions and especially in line with the expectations of the people of Kashmir.”

Relations with Europe

The Treaty of Lausanne is about to expire in 2023. Geo-political analysts are raising their concerns of what the Turkish leadership might do after the treaty expires. Will Turkey revive her Ottoman empire's legacy? or will Turkey further expand her influence to achieve regional or even global strategic dominance? And in this course of action is there any threat to the European nations? These are the crucial questions that are roaming European minds with grave concern and worry.

Dispute over Cyprus 

Turkey has an ongoing dispute with Greece on the issue of Cyprus. In 1974 the Turkish invasion of Cyprus led to the independence of The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Since then the Turkish government has taken a firm stand on the issue. Turkey opposes any kind of Greek dominance over the island of Cyprus and wants to revive it's Turkish superiority in the region.  

Bitter relations with France 

In recent events French President's prejudice against Islam and the Muslims had raised many questions of the well being of the Muslim community of France. Recently French president Emmanuel Macron has seemingly been talking in favor of freedom of speech and freedom of expression while referring to Charlie Hebdo's offensive cartoons of prophet Muhammad PBUH.

Turkish President Erdogan (left) France's Macron (right)  (Credit: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Tensions have sparked all over the Muslim world protesting against France. Turkey came into media's spotlight when President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that French president Emmanuel Macron should under go mental checkup after his offensive statements on reforming Islam and describing Islam as religion in crisis. Both the leaders seem willing to take on this fight, as Turkish president called on Turks to boycott French products amid an escalating dispute over Paris’s support for the right to caricature Prophet Muhammad.

Keeping in mind this is not the first time French and Turkish leadership have gone head to head against each other. Previously France has also opposed Turkish support to Azerbaijan calling Turkish leader’s “reckless and dangerous”. In addition tensions between both the countries further went downhill when Macron and Erdogan exchanged harsh statements on the issue of Cyprus and earlier on the role in the Libyan civil war.

Poster of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul. (AFP)

Turkey as a Muslim reformist

Today the Republic of Turkey under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan is somewhat seen as a Muslim reformist among the Muslims of the world. People seem to idealize the Turkish nation as a hope of reviving their lost golden period of the Muslims. The concept of Ummah and Khilafat seem to restore in people's minds. In addition to this, the economic prosperity and welfare of the Turkish nation is also one of the main reasons Muslims fancy Turkey. Erdogan in the process of making Turkey the ideal Muslim reformist is  gradually changing the internal and external structure of the Turkish state and society, making Turkey a key powerful regional and international player in global diplomacy and international politics.