Increasing 'orientalism' in Turkey's foreign policy?

Turkey is developing a new foreign policy called the „Strategic Depth‟ through which she wants to deal not only with the West but also with the Muslim neighbouring states and to consolidate her position in her traditional influence sphere stemming from Ottoman times. It might be a fact that it is easier for the AKP-elites due to their more pious background to throw out their feelers in that broader region than the Kemalist elites. The enthusiasm for accession to the European Union seems to have cooled down. Does this in combination with the criticism on Israel mean that Turkey is turning away from the West? Opinions are divided: some analysts talk about a new 'Orientalism', whereas others say that Turkey is just conducting a policy of 'complementarity'. Even the Middle East does not want to give up the West. The solution might be that Turkey is seen as belonging to the West as well as to the East.Dit boek omvat de proceedings van een internationale conferentie 'Breaking the Stereotype', eind oktober 2010 in Istanbul.status: publishe