Insight Turkey / issues

Editor's Note | Fall 2022

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 14:35:00 GMT

With one more year coming to an end, we are pleased to present to our readers yet another insightful issue of Insight Turkey that has attempted to analyze current regional and international developments comprehensively. We are looking forward to providing you with more next year!

Iran in the Wake of Mahsa Amini’s Death

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 12:09:00 GMT

Demonstrations and violence in Iran have continued for the last three months. After Mahsa Amini’s death, the protests against the compulsory headscarf rule soon turned into demonstrations in which Sunni groups, especially the Kurds and the Balochs, came to the fore. This situation has led to a high number of deaths. The demonstrations in the capital Tehran, mostly supported by the middle-upper class, did not receive great support despite the discomfort of the broad masses. Instead, they turned into protests by university students, generally led by elite segments such as artists and athletes. When the Persian media and opposition activists abroad came to the fore, the reformist segment in the country was largely silent. Different political groups turned the events into a power-sharing ground for post-Khamenei politics. However, the fact that the events have entered their third month and the state has not yet resorted to its traditional iron-fist method raises questions. In the same period, the tension in Iran’s relations with the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Republic of Azerbaijan reveals the transitivity and interaction between domestic and foreign policies.

The Role of Gulf Sates in Iraq after 2017

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 12:58:00 GMT

The commentary analyzes the role of the Gulf in Iraq after 2017 in light of the complex process of Gulf-Iraqi relations from 2003 to 2017. Furthermore, it examines the repercussions of the Gulf crisis, and analyzes the dimensions of the development of the relationship. The study presents a future vision for the relationship in light of a set of determinants related to the Iraqi political reality, Gulf foreign trends, and the impact of the variables affecting the Gulf's role in Iraq.

The Chaos of Constitutional System and Political Failure in Iraq

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 12:59:00 GMT

This study attempts to present and analyze the chaotic nature of the Iraqi constitutional system since 2005 and its impact on the political-economic and social crises. The study also attempts to explore sectarian problems and political quotas that emerged due to the existence of a deep gap between the culture of reactionary parties that do not believe in the democratic modern state, the philosophy of liberal democracy, institutionalism, the separation of powers, or respect for human rights.

COVID-19 Crisis and EU: Liberal Values versus National Interest

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 13:00:00 GMT

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis, a great question arose about the possibility of applying liberal ideas in international politics and whether the national interest would prevail over liberal values in the international system. The EU is one of the most prominent of these case studies, as the countries of the EU suffered from weak collective efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19. This article aims to analyze whether the national interest will prevail over the liberal values of the European Union or not during the crises. This article argues that liberal values flourished tremendously in peace, but in times of crisis, liberal values are put to the test. Sometimes they can fail because national interest calculations are embedded deeply in nation-states. As long as liberal ideas converge with the national interest of nations, liberal institutions like the European Union can stand strong.

Iran and the Gulf: The Era of Hassan Rouhani

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 13:05:00 GMT

The paper utilizes the theory of neoclassical realism as its theoretical foundation to understand the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). An insight is provided into defining Rouhani’s foreign policy discourse and slogan, primarily towards the GCC, while addressing the significant shifts in the region, which implicated Iran’s Rouhani stance towards the GCC and its members. The paper concludes with how the recent developments of the Iranian elections and Ebrahim Raisi will impact the future of Iran-GCC relations. From an analytical standpoint, it was found that Rouhani had difficulty engaging with the GCC countries due to impediments by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Similarly, the article highlights Rouhani’s era in Iran’s foreign behavior towards the GCC while exploring whether he achieved his foreign ambitions and provided a vision for the significant challenges awaiting the Raisi presidency.

Israel and the Syrian Crisis: Ardent Desire and Restrain Risk

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 13:07:00 GMT

This article addresses the strategic Israeli attitude concerning the Syrian crisis, linking the historical conceptualisation of Syria and its role in the Arab-Israeli conflict with Israel’s current strategic considerations and the effect of the Lebanese syndrome upon Israel’s historical collective memory. Syria has always been regarded as Israel’s archenemy due to its organic ties with revolutionary pan-Arabism and support for the struggle against the Jewish State. While Israel thus hoped that the ‘Arab Spring’ uprisings would overthrow the Ba’ath regime or weaken it to the point of collapse, it has refrained from any military intervention, first and foremost because of what may be called the ‘Lebanese syndrome’ —namely, the fear of renewed entanglement and a repeat of its bitter experience in the First Lebanon War.

COVID-19 in Palestine: Nationalism and Sovereignty

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 13:08:00 GMT

The article examines the early spread of COVID-19 in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) in light of nationalism and sovereignty. For Palestinians, the spread of COVID-19 has been challenging due to domestic and regional interactions and limited sovereignty, undermining their ability to combat the virus. Israel, often without coordination with the Palestinian Authority (PA), determined who could enter and exit the OPTs, including tens of thousands of Palestinians working in Israel, leading to an increased number of infections in the West Bank. The pandemic awakened Palestinian national sentiment, serving as a reminder of disunity and lack of sovereignty. Despite these challenges, we show that the Palestinian health system unsuccessfully attempted to overcome the crisis. The combination of economic [inter]dependence on Israel, lack of sovereignty, and nationalist resurgence help explain why the Palestinian health sector recorded thousands of cases following the second wave of the virus. COVID-19 has only further revealed how Palestinians could not practically operate independently from Israel.

Reconsidering ‘EU Actorness’ in Changing Geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 13:10:00 GMT

The discovery of hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean reshuffled the existing foreign policies, increased the region’s geopolitical importance, and acted as a catalyst for the emergence of new geopolitical dynamics and political alignments. The European Union (EU) has been involved in the Eastern Mediterranean region due to foreign, security, and energy policy considerations. The hydrocarbon deposits have the potential to provide diversification of resources and act as a bridge for greater cooperation in the region. Instead, the explosive geopolitical context evokes insecurities and threat perceptions. This article aims to contextualize the EU’s engagement in the Eastern Mediterranean region vis-à-vis the latest developments and political factors.

Small State Foreign Policy in Central Asia: The Cases of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 13:12:00 GMT

This article examines and compares the foreign policy preferences of three small states in Central Asia, namely Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, in the post-independence era. Although the three countries share similar features, such as a common Soviet legacy, landlocked position, and population size, the foreign policy behavior differs in Turkmenistan. While Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan align with Russia, Turkmenistan embraces permanent neutrality. This study argues that natural resource endowment, coupled with fewer internal threats and geographical constraints compared to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, helped Turkmenistan to pursue a neutral and more independent foreign policy. Yet, over-reliance on China as the major buyer of Turkmen natural gas may make it difficult to sustain permanent neutrality.

Increasing Realism in Turkish Foreign Policy in the Post-Davutoğlu Era

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 13:13:00 GMT

This article compares Turkish foreign policy in the post-Davutoğlu era with the previous period and analyzes the changes and continuities in these two periods. In the first years of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) period, the Davutoğlu era, Turkish foreign policy featured soft power and cooperation-based characteristics. While maintaining its proactive and multi-dimensional aspects, there were three crucial changes in Turkish foreign policy in the post-Davutoğlu era. First, the elimination of the Fetullah Terror Organization (FETÖ) network from the state institutions and organizations after the July 15 coup attempt contributed to the effective functioning of the state, more autonomous foreign policy, and successful military operations. Second, Türkiye adopted a new security concept aiming to eradicate the sources of terrorism both within and outside its borders and began to use more hard power. Third, Türkiye increased its capabilities in crisis management in its relations with great powers and managed its autonomous foreign policy. These three changes in the post-Davutoğlu era led to increasing realism, autonomous foreign policy, and the rise of deterrence and the sphere of regional influence.

Making Sense of International Order(s): Contending Theories

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 15:35:00 GMT

The rising economic insecurity and inequality in the West have undermined liberal internationalism’s social purpose. Thus, liberal internationalism should curtail its global reach. Liberal democracies can make the world safe by returning to liberal internationalism’s club-like character. Constructivism argues that building an international order is substantially a business of managing cultural diversity. However, diversity regimes both constitute certain cultural forms and exclude others. As a result, cultural and political contestation intensifies and challenges the present international order. A lasting international order necessities legitimacy by tolerating cultural diversity. However, whether the liberal international order is legitimate enough is a contested one.

Turkey and the EU in an Energy Security Society: The Case of Natural Gas

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 12:06:00 GMT

The book provides major contributions to the literature, including theoretical and empirical. In the literature geopolitics, economics, and environmental studies are frequently used as a theoretical framework to explore issues relating to energy. This book strives to draw a distinct theoretical framework from the more prevalent geopolitical approaches. To understand the energy security relationship that exists between Türkiye and Europe, the author addressed the issue with Buzan’s structural interpretation, which made use of one of the international relations theories, the English School. Based on Buzan’s approach, Korkmaz utilizes the concept of an energy security society. The author’s goal in using this concept is to improve our understanding of society by using primary institutions. The book’s second addition to the literature stems from its inquisition into the attitudes of different Turkish players on energy security in the context of natural gas cooperation with the EU. This book analyzes in detail the stance of the actors involved. It offers energy researchers a comprehensive examination of Turkish and European energy supply security.

Sea Change: Ottoman Textiles between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:16:00 GMT

Sea Change is a deeply researched book full of information on textile production and consumption in the Ottoman Empire from 1400-1800. For the layperson or even for historians of the period looking to add an extra dimension to their understanding, it is perhaps too focused on the minutiae of textiles while not giving enough weight to how these textiles can tell us more about the history surrounding them. For art historians or historians whose research has led them to specific questions regarding Ottoman textiles, however, this book will certainly be a treasure trove to return to time and again.

The Faces of Contemporary Populism in Western Europe and the US

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:24:00 GMT

Making a remarkable contribution to understanding various degrees of contemporary populism, it helps to understand how populism as an ideology is tarnished by competing approaches in the U.S. and Western European countries. This book will surely act as a pathway for further research in the domain of populism and is certainly a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand trends in modern politics where far-right populism has increasingly led to the degeneration of welfare systems and also the deregulation of economies.

Justice and Leadership in Early Islamic Courts

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:29:00 GMT

This volume, Justice and Leadership, is a compendium of legal history in the early Islamic period with a focus on the concepts and practices in the judicial discourse of Islam. The volume, which brought different worlds –social, political, and religious– of legal history together, is a beneficial read for students of Islamic law.

A Political Theory of Muslim Democracy

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:48:00 GMT

A Political Theory of Muslim Democracy is a fresh, timely, and groundbreaking work for readers and academics interested in the current philosophical debates ranging from liberalism, modernity, and multiculturalism to religion and politics. It is also a rich source of reference for those who are interested in the debates surrounding the Muslim world and MENA region politics. Additionally, it is a valuable contribution to the literature on democracy, secularism, and the public sphere, especially in the emerging field of comparative political theory.

The Fourth Ordeal: A History of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, 1968-2018

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:54:00 GMT

The book tries to frame the current predicament the Muslim Brotherhood is experiencing within the internal conflict between two schools of thought: “an energetic Islamist intelligentsia around Umar al-Tilmisani” and “a group of hardliners of the first cohort” (p. 389). Although these internal disputes between the middle generation and the old guards have been addressed in the relevant literature, understanding the current chaos in light of this tension between the two schools of thought is quite enlightening. And because of this, the book, in my humble opinion, can be accepted as a contribution to the literature concerning the Muslim Brotherhood. Future scholars of the Brotherhood will benefit from it to understand what happened to the organization after the bloody coup.

Between Empire and Nation: Muslim Reform in the Balkans

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:58:00 GMT

Between Empire and Nation provides a coherent understanding of the events, the people, intellectual ideas, and initiatives that defined the reform movement among Bulgaria’s Muslims. It proves to be a significant contribution to a vital but neglected chapter in the history of Muslims in Bulgaria. In this regard, the work is not only essential for students studying Ottoman Balkans but also for scholars studying the formation of the Bulgarian nation-state. Just as significantly, the study promises to be useful for those scholars working on reform movements in the Muslim world. Bulgaria’s Muslims, like other Muslims in different parts of the world, grappled with the challenges of modernity and Islam in their writings. They also took an active role in transforming their major institutions, culture, and society as a minority group during the formative years of the Bulgarian nation-state.

EU, Turkey, and Counter-Terrorism: Fighting the PKK and ISIS

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 14:04:00 GMT

The EU-Türkiye related literature mostly concentrates on the EU’s expansion, its conditionality on Türkiye’s democratization, and the strategic dimension of the relationship. Ilbiz and Kaunert, however, adopt a holistic approach to how the paradigm shifts in Turkish counter-terrorism policies that occurred during these periods to point out their basis in different domestic and EU-level factors and conclude with a remarkable articulation in contrast to the argument within the literature regarding the EU diffusing its norms for “altruistic” reasons. They argue that the EU is a rational actor only concerned with self-interest.

China’s Economic and Political Presence in the Middle East and South Asia

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 14:11:00 GMT

This book presents a holistic perspective of China’s presence in the discussed countries. Even readers unfamiliar with Chinese foreign policy and the BRI can grasp the general topic. This book, in general, sticks by China’s non-interference policy in each chapter. As mentioned earlier, some concepts like the Islamic world, are used unclearly and referred to very little. Nonetheless, it is very useful in terms of future suggestions. I recommend the book as a good reference for graduate students, academicians, and people who wonder how China works.

The Foreign Policy of Islamist Political Parties: Ideology in Practice

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 14:18:00 GMT

The book enables the reader to compare the practice of an ideology in six countries. For each country, a meaningful discourse analysis for the diplomatic practices has been conducted to convince the political scientists and experts of international relations how the tension between ideology and its implementation took place in the first decades of the twenty-first century. This content enables us to grasp significant aspects of the difficulty of harmonizing a sacred and religious understanding into the more mundane, practical, and multi-sided realm, i.e., international relations.