Erdogan’s Neo-Ottoman Foreign Policy
Relvance: International Relations
Context
Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Türkiye has adopted an assertive, ideologically driven yet pragmatic foreign policy, seeking to revive its regional leadership through a mix of Islamism, nationalism, and strategic autonomy—often termed “Neo-Ottomanism.”
Ideological Foundations
- Shift from Kemalism to Political Islam:
- Atatürk’s vision: Secularism, Westernization, and peace-centric foreign policy.
- Erdogan’s AKP: From pro-EU and economic reforms (2002) → to Islamist-nationalist assertiveness post-Arab Spring.
- Inspired by Ottoman Doctrine:
- Ittihad-i Islam (Unity of Islam): Used by Sultan Abdul Hamid II to unite Muslims against Western imperialism.
- Erdogan mirrors this ideology—supporting pan-Islamic causes, especially in West Asia and South Asia.
Practical Applications
- Arab Spring: Türkiye backed Islamist movements (e.g., Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, rebels in Syria and Libya).
- Syria: Supports opposition to Assad (e.g., HTS); balances ties with Russia via tactical cooperation.
- Libya: Backed Tripoli-based Islamist government post-Gaddafi.
- Caucasus: Armed Azerbaijan in the 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh war against Armenia.
- Ukraine-Russia Conflict:
- Supplied Bayraktar drones to Ukraine.
- Bought S-400 missiles from Russia, defying NATO.
- Refused to impose sanctions on Moscow.
- Gulf Region: Military base in Qatar, cautious rapprochement with Saudi Arabia and UAE.
- South Asia: Aligned with Pakistan on Kashmir, supported Pakistan diplomatically post-Operation Sindoor.
Balancing East and West
- NATO member, hosts U.S. nuclear weapons at Incirlik base.
- Supported Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership, leveraging for political concessions.
- Acts as a swing power between Russia, the West, and Islamic nations.
Strategic and Domestic Challenges
- Economic Crisis: High inflation, currency collapse, unemployment.
- Authoritarian Drift:
- Power centralization via constitutional amendments (executive presidency).
- Suppression of dissent (e.g., arrests of opposition figures like Ekrem Imamoglu).
- Geopolitical Overreach:
- Tactical wins (e.g., Syria, Libya) but strategic uncertainty.
- Fragile ties with Arab monarchies (historic mistrust).
- Domestic Instability threatens regional ambitions.
Mains Questions
Q. Discuss how ideology and pragmatism shape Türkiye’s foreign policy under President Erdogan.
Q. Examine the implications of Türkiye’s neo-Ottoman foreign policy for regional stability in West Asia and Eurasia.
