The Political Economy of Turkish Foreign Policy

Abstract

In recent years, Erdogan’s rising authoritarian tendencies at home coincided with the hardening of his positions in the country’s foreign relations. From Libya to Syria to Greece to Iraq to Azerbaijan, and yes, even to Israel, Turkey’s actions have been at least controversial and have also led to increased tensions with Cyprus, Egypt and Greece over the EastMed maritime zones, but also with faraway geopolitical players. The article tries to explore the material foundations of current Turkey’s assertive foreign policy, focusing on the main country’s economic indicators, defence capabilities and defence economics. By comparing Turkey’s economic potential and defence capabilities with regional players but also with some other middle or even great powers such as England, France, Italy and Russia, the analysis shows that Turkey’s aggressive international behaviour is not only the outcome of a new nationalist rhetoric but is based on some facts and data that should not be overlooked. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.