Diplomacy Dersi 6. Ünite Sorularla Öğrenelim

How did the rigid atmosphere of the early Cold War years affect Turkey in foreign policy?

The rigid atmosphere of the early Cold War years did not offer Turkey the ability to adopt neutrality and pursue an independent/nonaligned foreign policy course. Turkey’s maneuvering capability was extremely limited during this era.

Following its admission to NATO and given the increasing tension between the two power blocks, Turkey had to pursue a predominantly pro-Western foreign policy course.

What is the Turkish nationalist approach towards Turkey’s relations with Western countries?

Turkish nationalist parties have on the other hand adopted a soft-sceptic approach towards Turkey’s relations with Western countries both bilaterally and institutionally. They have been in favour of Turkey’s membership in NATO and the European Union, yet questioned the logic of the institutional relations if they would dilute Turkey’s strong state identity, societal cohesion, territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

What was the factor that initially pushed Turkey to seek membership in NATO?

The factor that initially pushed Turkey to seek membership in NATO and later on proved to be one of the main reasons for its justification in the eyes of Turkish people was that NATO membership was considered as an important milestone in Turkey’s decades-old Westernization/Europeanization/modernization process. Thanks to NATO membership, Turkey could argue for many years that it was a Western/European state.

Which foreign policies do not hold any place in Ataturk’s diplomatic legacy?

Involvement in the internal affairs of other states and pursuit of expansionist and irredentist foreign policies do not hold any place in Ataturk’s diplomatic legacy.

What is the legacy of the Ottoman Empire regarding diplomatic negotiations?

The legacy of the Ottoman Empire is the idea that Turkey would not be able to achieve its national interests if the gains of the wars won on battlefields were not legitimized through diplomatic negotiations.

How was Turkey’s approach towards NATO during the post-Cold War era?

It reflects Turkey’s determination to influence the transformation of the Alliance from within by making its voice heard more loudly. And Turkey wanted to make sure that NATO’s approach towards Russia does not affect Turkey’s relations with Russia negatively.

What all the following happenings set examples for?

The revision of the Lasuanne regulations on the status of Turkish Straits through the Montreaux Convention in 1936, the incorporation of Hatay region into Turkey in 1939, and the settlement of the Mousul question and the border dispute with Iraq in 1926.

They are the examples of the use of international law and diplomacy in Turkish foreign policy.

What caused Turkish decision makers to perceive Turkey’s neighbors to all directions as the pawns in the hands of great powers?

The facts that many neighbors of Turkey gained their independence from the Ottoman Empire and they were very much assisted by
external great powers in their efforts seem to have led Turkish decision makers feel suspicious of Turkey’s neighbors.

What was the foregn policy Turkey followed in 1980s?

The second arrival of the Cold War era confrontation helped increase Turkey’s geopolitical significance in Western eyes. During the 1980s, Turkey predominantly followed a pro-Western foreign policy stance despite the emergence of some problems in relations with Western countries.

Who is the main actor in charge of defining Turkey’s foreign policy interests and diplomatic goals?

The government is the main actor in charge of defining Turkey’s foreign policy interests and diplomatic goals. Constitutionally speaking, it is the elected representatives of the Turkish people that have the final authority to determine Turkey’s foreign policy orientation.

How did Turkey’s relation with NATO change over the years? 

Turkey has been one of the most important members of NATO since its accession to the Alliance in 1952. Having defined for many years its foreign, defence and security policies on the basis of NATO membership, Turkey began to adopt a more questioning and critical perspective towards the Alliance with the end of the Cold War. Although NATO continues to maintain its importance in Turkish foreign and security policy thinking, it would be wrong to suggest that this is at the same level as it was during the Cold War era. Some public opinion polls show that not many people in Turkey consider NATO membership as essential for the security of the country.

What kind of soft and civilian power instruments are employed in efforts of improving Turkey’s positive image in the eyes of other countries?

Investing in public diplomacy initiatives, transforming the Turkish Airlines into one of the largest air-carriers all over the world, founding the English language TRT-World, redesigning the TRT as a multi-lingual broadcasting company, increasing humanitarian and development aids to poor and needy countries, and establishing particular state institutions in charge of dealing with the problems of Turkish-origin people in the countries which host sizable Turkish communities can all be considered as important soft power initiatives.

In what way is westernization also considered a security strategy?

Westernization is also thought of a security strategy in that Turkey would feel itself safe and secure if it came closer to the West/Europe and its Western/European identity were recognized as such by Westerners/Europeans. Given that the Ottoman Empire came to an end at the hands of the Western European nations, the founding fathers of the Republic assumed that Turkey’s security would improve, if Europeans saw Turkey as a member of the Western/European family of nations.

What was Turkey's stance like during the Second World War?

During the Second World War, Turkey continued the multi-directional foreign policy stance of the interwar period and pursued the socalled active neutrality foreign policy.

Which of all the alternative political ideologies in Turkey stand out most?

Of all the alternative political ideologies, center-of-right, center-of-left, Turkish nationalism and political Islam stand out most.

What has been number one interest in Turkish diplomacy?

The number one national security interest has been to preserve Turkey’s gains and ensure that Turkey survives as an independent sovereign country.

Since the beginning of the Republic, Turkey’s diplomatic efforts have aimed at protecting Turkey’s territorial integrity, national sovereignty and societal cohesion.

What was the most important factor that facilitated Turkey’s accession to the Alliance?

The most important factor that facilitated Turkey’s accession to the Alliance was that the United States, as being the most important NATO member, attributed a tremendous importance to Turkey’s geopolitical position and military capacity in the context of Cold War’s security dynamics. The assumption on the part of the US strategists was that the task of fulfilling NATO’s containment and deterrence strategies vis-à-vis the Soviet Union would be much easier if Turkey joined the Alliance and prevented the Soviet penetration into the eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions.

What was the most distinctive characteristic of Turkey’s approach towards the Alliance during the Cold War period?

The most distinctive characteristic of Turkey’s approach towards the Alliance during this period was that Turkish elites interpreted the risks of being abandoned by NATO much more important than the risks of being entrapped by some alliance policies. Even though certain groups contended that it would be more appropriate for Turkey to withdraw from membership and seek closer strategic relations with the Soviet Union and Third World countries, the advantages of remaining within NATO seem to have far outweighed the costs of membership.

What is the common attitude adopted by AKP governments over the last two decades towards the definition of Turkey’s national identity?

To AKP governments, Turkey should be defined as a central country, suggesting that Turkish rulers adopt a Turkey-centric worldview in defining national interests and policies. In addition, Turkey should be in a position to feel itself as part of each and every geographical location. The main foreign policy objective of Turkey should be to help shape regional developments decisively and to forge interests-based pragmatic relationships with key global actors. Turkish foreign policy should be defined and conducted in a multi-lateral and multi-dimensional fashion so as to make sure that regional and global developments do not negatively affect the liberal democratic transformation and economic development processes at home.