Changing Dimensions of Turkey's Foreign Policy

Since the changes introduced in Turkey's foreign policy during the 2000s, it has reached a stage that calls for an urgent review of its regional and global strategic choices. This article analyzes Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's foreign policy doctrine, examines its limitations and critically evaluates its relevance to current foreign policy-making. Recent events in the Middle East pose a challenge to the soft power, 'zero conflict' policy introduced by Davutoglu. Consequently, Turkey's foreign policy rhetoric over the past two years has hardened, triggered by uncertainties in Turkey-European Union (EU) relations, the deterioration in its relationship with Israel, and the Arab Spring events that have engulfed countries in its periphery. Since the EU plays an important role in terms of the democratic and economic transformation of Turkey, the country's accession to the EU would be important in ensuring both the continuance of its soft power strategy and its security strategy in line with Davutoglu's 'strategic depth' doctrine. © 2011 JNU