210057 SE BAK10 International Politics and Development (2016W)

In the post-World War II era, the East-West antagonism widely defined the framework within which Turkish foreign and security policy choices were made and implemented. In the face of Soviet revisionism and on ideological grounds, from early on, Turkey sided with the West and sought integration in Western structures. The country closely aligned with the US, became a member in NATO, and inked an Association Agreement with the then European Community hoping full-membership would materialize in the end. In contrast, the country’s relations with its Middle Eastern neighbors remained limited and in many cases burdened by a number of disputes. The end of the Cold War eased relations with former Warsaw Pact countries, but the country’s security situation overall remained dire, which was reflected in the so-called “two-and-a-half-wars” paradigm according to which Turkey should be prepared two wage war against Greece, Syria, and the PKK simultaneously. Relations with two countries just mentioned as well as others (see the case of Iran), however, took a turn for the better after 1999, especially after the Justice and Development (AKP) came to power in 2002. In a changing context, Turkey worked to solve longstanding disputes with neighbors, expand relations with the countries of the Middle East, and reach out to Latin America or Africa. This time, Turkey promoted itself as a benign soft-power aspiring at a “zero problems policy” with its neighbors and pursuing greater levels of interdependence and, where necessary, acting as a mediator or facilitator to solve conflicts. Turkey’s growing relations with countries of the Middle East (see Iran or Syria), the simultaneous deterioration in relations with Israel, and some level of estrangement with the US and the EU, however, stimulated debates as to whether an axis shift was occurring in Turkey’s foreign policy orientation. The ushering in of the so-called Arab Spring, though, completely changed the realities on the ground. Especially the lengthy civil war in Syria along with the strengthening of the so-called Islamic State (IS) ultimately revitalized Turkey’s relations with actors such as the US, EU, and highlighted the relevance of NATO for deterrence and defense. Turkey’s relations with the Syrian regime, Iran, Iraq, or even Russia soured while fighting with the PKK flared up again and the IS allegedly committed two suicide attacks in the country. Overall, rather than the “zero problems” aspirations being met, Turkey once more found itself in a delicate position facing serious challenges and problems at home and abroad.
The proposed course will provide students with an opportunity to look into abovementioned issues and developments in greater detail. It will enhance their knowledge of a country - first and foremost of its foreign and security policies - which has been attracting continuous attention and debated intensely by pundits and the public. The students will analyze various aspects and issue areas (e. g. domestic factors leaving their imprint on foreign policy choices, the role of geo-economics, …), explore Turkey’s relations with a number of selected countries and institutions (US, Russia, NATO, EU, Iran, …), identify and examine problems and challenges faced by the country, elaborate on potential remedies, and discuss overall implications for European security and the course of relations between the EU and Turkey. Focusing on the case of Turkey, the course will also expand participants' knowledge of selected international institutions, issues as well as of relevant theories and academic debates.