Turkey's New Middle Eastern Approach

WOS: 000274454700008The new Middle Eastern approach of the AKP government represents the abandonment of the former Turkish policy of avoiding involvement in the region or being active in the region on behalf of the West. It stipulates improving relations with the neighboring countries in every field with a zero-problem goal, turning relations with the regional countries into a strategic supremacy and advantage and thus creating a strategic depth and security belt around Turkey. The new approach, which has attracted the enmity of certain circles and countries, has made Turkey a much more effective and respected country in the region. The initiatives and views of Turkish authorities, which destroy former prejudices, are supported by regional countries to a certain degree and bring about positive developments in the region. Although the new approach will not eradicate deep-rooted regional problems and historical enmities in the near future, it points to the right direction for regional countries and world powers. It also demonstrates the problems, limitations and indispensability of pursuing an independent foreign policy for Turkish policy makers