Insight Turkey / issues

Editor's Note | Spring 2024

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 16:03:00 GMT

This issue of Insight Turkey offers a thorough examination of the current state of Middle Eastern politics, exploring the characteristics, patterns, and progress in the region and their impact on global politics. Additionally, we address other subjects such as Türkiye’s bilateral relations with the Balkans and Indonesia, Indonesia’s foreign and domestic policy, and educational changes in Türkiye. We hope that the detailed discussions and diverse viewpoints presented in this edition will provide our readers with valuable insights and deepen their understanding of the complex geopolitical landscape

The Palestinian People’s Righteous Struggle in Light of the War of Aggression against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 13:28:00 GMT

Israel’s continuous war on Gaza turns out to be one of the deadliest genocides in modern world history. Despite the apparent evidence of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, the international community failed to take the necessary steps that would stop Israel from committing crimes against humanity, which include, but are not limited to, killing civilians, forced displacements, attacking educational, religious, and medical institutions, and stopping the entrance of food and water. While only one of these is enough to charge Israeli politicians and officials with crimes against humanity, Israel is protected by some great powers and has been given a blank check on their crimes. As if all of these are not enough, the Israeli illegal settlers are committing more and more crimes against Palestinians in the West Bank, encouraged mainly by the Israeli authorities. Despite all of these attempts at ethnic cleansing, Palestinians demand an independent state within its 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Palestine and the Arab Regional Order: What Changed after Operation Al-Aqsa Flood?

Mon, 30 Nov -0001 1:04:08 GMT

This commentary examines the changes and transitions in the Arab regional order in relation to the Arab-Israeli conflict since the foundation of the Israeli state. The discussion centers on four main transformations in the Arab regional order that occurred after major wars or confrontations with the Zionist regime. It also suggests that due to Operation al-Aqsa Flood, the conflict may enter a fifth phase. In addition, the analysis addresses the failure of the strategic decision made by the Arab states to only back a political settlement with Israel. It also argues that the American strategy to integrate Israel into the region and pursue a policy of normalization with its Arab allies was the main causality of the October 7 attacks. Finally, the discussion explores Israel’s strategic losses that diminish its strategic value in the region.

Hezbollah’s Shortsighted Strategy for the War in Gaza

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:21:00 GMT

This commentary argues that Hezbollah felt duty-bound to open a front in Southern Lebanon to ease Israel’s military pressure on Hamas. Hezbollah indicated that its participation in the war will continue until reaching a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, apparently expecting the hostilities to last only for a few weeks. However, the war dragged on for months as Israel pledged to keep it going until destroying Hamas and, contrary to what Hezbollah expected, pushing it away from the border area to ensure the safety of its residents in the upper Galilee settlements. The fighting in Southern Lebanon turned into a war of attrition against Hezbollah as Israel eliminated most of its field commanders by drone attacks. Should Israel succeed in evicting Hezbollah from the border area, it would lose its claim to resistance to liberate Lebanese territory still occupied by Israel, increasing the pressure on it to disarm like all other Lebanese factions when the civil war ended in 1989.

Syria’s Political Stalemate: International Efforts and Regional Dynamics

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:26:00 GMT

International efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria began early on in the war. The Arab League was the first body to attempt to mediate, starting in late 2012, but these efforts faltered due to the refusal of the regime –emboldened by the political support of Russia and China– to make a single concession, despite being on the back foot militarily. In 2015, new international efforts were launched to resolve the crisis. The U.S. and Russia reached an agreement over the formulation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, which became the basis of UN-led negotiations between the opposition and the regime, including discussions on constitutional reform that began in 2019. However, more than a decade into the conflict, a political solution still appears distant, and is now closely linked to the fate of the foreign forces present in the country. The regime is no longer solely responsible for obstructing a solution. The presence on the ground of its allies, Russia and Iran, adds additional obstacles. It is no longer possible to formulate a peace deal without addressing the security concerns and various interests of foreign forces in Syria.

Recent Miracle in the Turkish Vocational Education and Training System

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:31:00 GMT

This commentary examines the transformation of vocational education in Türkiye, addressing its challenges, innovations, and impacts. Türkiye’s system, including the Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School (MTAL) and the Vocational Training Center (MESEM), has historically faced difficulties due to policies like the “coefficient application,” which restricted access to higher education for vocational graduates. Recent reforms, such as a revamped management model, industry collaboration, enhanced production processes, and integration of research and development (R&D) and intellectual property (IP) culture, have increased enrollment rates, improved education quality, and enabled rapid production of essential goods during crises. These changes have also advanced vocational training in the defense industry, attracting top-performing students. Consequently, these reforms have addressed vocational education challenges and contributed to societal improvements, including reduced youth unemployment and increased women’s employment, positioning Türkiye as a model for vocational education globally.

Boosting Influence: Türkiye’s Renewed Military Activism in the Balkans

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 18:26:00 GMT

While military and defense issues dominated Türkiye’s Balkan policy in the 1990s, economic, social, and cultural aspects became more salient from the early 2000s on. This article examines the resurgence of Türkiye’s military and defense activities in the Balkans since the late 2010s. By demonstrating various platforms of military presence and defense cooperation, the article discusses how Türkiye’s engagements in military and defense fields are widening and deepening. Türkiye actively participates in international operations and regional defense cooperation mechanisms, often assuming leading roles. Bilateral cooperation with Balkan countries has been further strengthened by new agreements signed in recent years. Türkiye has also seen a substantial increase in defense industry exports to the region, supporting the development of these countries’ defense capacities. Driven by various factors and motivations such as its commitment to regional peace and stability, its advancements in defense industry and military technology, its quest for a stronger role in the region, and the increasing interest of Balkan countries in collaborating with Türkiye, the rising activism in military and defense fields indicates a new trend in Türkiye’s Balkan policy. Thus, military and defense engagements, which were a significant dimension of Türkiye’s Balkan policy in the 1990s, are regaining importance, even if within a different context and driven by new dynamics.

Public Opinion and Reaction to Israel’s War on Gaza after October 7 in Türkiye

Mon, 30 Nov -0001 1:04:08 GMT

This article investigates the perception and the reaction of Turkish people to Israel’s war in Gaza. For this purpose, we utilized a survey involving 1,393 respondents. First, we documented that there is widespread support for Palestinians from both sides of the political spectrum, Second, 94 percent of people do not believe that Israel’s public statements about protecting civilians are true. Third, an overwhelming percentage of people also joined the economic boycott by not buying Israeli products. Although young voters are less likely to support the Palestinian cause, this relationship disappears once voting preferences are taken into account. This implies that voting preferences matter for understanding the support for Palestinian cause. Compared to those who do not vote or vote for parties with a small base, AK Party and MHP voters are relatively more likely to support and CHP and HDP voters are relatively less likely to support the Palestinian cause. Overall, these results show that there is a strong pro-Palestine sentiment in Türkiye, and companies that have business ties with Israel are going to be hurt economically by the ongoing war due to consumer boycotts.

Contested Spaces and Ethnocratic Policies: Navigating the Geopolitics of Heritage and Identity in Jerusalem

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:39:00 GMT

This study explores the architectural and demographic dynamics of Jerusalem, examining public discourse to determine the presence of neo-colonial ethnic segregation and socio-spatial divisions. Furthermore, it aims to discern the underlying motivations influencing urban architecture and to identify challenges within Jerusalem’s demographic and architectural frameworks. Approach of the study encompasses an extensive review of academic publications, news articles, and both qualitative and quantitative data. The study includes documentation and archival research published in both international and national journals. Significant focus is placed on studies from global and regional organizations such as UNESCO, ICOMOS, the UN, IPCC, the EU, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), UNICEF in the State of Palestine, and various urban delineation and conservation projects by TİKA across the Jerusalem (al-Quds) metropolitan region. The paper critically assesses the city’s evolution into a space characterized by ethnonational divisions, heightened militarization, and increasing violence, which suggest a shift from an ‘ethnocracy’ to an ‘urban apartheid.’ Finally, this paper proposes transitioning from ‘ethnocracy’ to ‘democracy’ as a solution for achieving a truly modern and democratic Jerusalem metropolis.

The U.S. Recognition of Israeli Sovereignty over the Golan Heights: A Threat to International Peace

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:44:00 GMT

This research shows that the U.S. recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights is a radical shift in U.S. policy regarding the ownership of lands seized by military force since the Second World War. It is also considered a new and implicit abandonment by Washington of its commitment as a guarantor of the post-war international order. Moreover, this recognition will set a precedent for other countries to militarily seize any lands they claim are vital to their strategic security. Crucially, this recognition does not have any legal effect. It is null and void, with no international value or legitimacy, and is a clear violation of the provisions of international law and international treaties, agreements, covenants, and norms. It also threatens international peace and security and incites other countries to seize illegally the lands of their neighbors. Furthermore, it is contrary to all resolutions that have been issued in a legitimate manner, including those issued by the United Nations obligating Israel to return these lands. The Golan is legally recognized internationally as occupied Syrian territory before and after this recognition. Since the right to self-determination is linked to peoples and not to states, Israel cannot confiscate this right under the pretext that “the Syrian state has engaged in an aggressive war against its people.”

Navigating Humanitarian Aid in Syria: Challenges, Complexities, and Paths to Sustainable Solutions

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:47:00 GMT

This study explores the role of foreign aid as a soft power tool by providing an understanding of the interrelation between foreign policy and aid. The study is based on interviews with aid experts. The findings of the study unambiguously demonstrate that aid and foreign policy are intertwined since, in most cases, foreign aid falls under the responsibility of foreign ministries. Besides the humanitarian imperative, the geopolitical account has a crucial importance in the decision-making process that cascades down from the general foreign policy agenda. In addition, the strategic interests of the donor country are contributing to the decision-making. The prominent themes are national security, tackling terrorism, preventing immigration influx, and economic goals. The study also demonstrates the extent to which aid can be politicized in its extreme form by focusing on Russian vetoes in the UN Security Council and the Syrian government’s weaponization of aid.

Unveiling the Türkiye-GCC Economic Partnership: ARDL Cointegration Approach

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:52:00 GMT

This analysis examines the economic relationship between Türkiye and the GCC countries, focusing notably on the economic and trade ties. It argues that while mutual relations have increased during the AK Party era, historical commercial relations have been subject to fluctuations due to regional and foreign policy preferences. Descriptive analysis using secondary data supports this claim. Cointegration techniques are also employed to empirically analyze the trade relationship between the two sides from 1994 to 2020. The results indicate long-term cointegration in Türkiye-GCC economic relations, with bilateral trade positively affected in the long-term. However, the findings also suggest that as GCC countries’ exports to Türkiye increase, Türkiye’s exports to the GCC increase even more over the long-term.

Linking Economic Diversification and Regional Investments in the Gulf: Saudi and Emirati Investment Trends in Egypt

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:58:00 GMT

This study investigates the link between the economic diversification policies and regional investment strategies of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, focusing on these countries’ investment trends in Egypt as a case study. It explores how these investments serve as instruments of economic statecraft for Saudi and Emirati leaders, designed to bolster diversification objectives and address political, economic, and environmental risks. The findings uncover a notable increase in Saudi and Emirati investment in Egypt since the early 2000s. These investments not only prioritize sectors highlighted in their diversification blueprints, such as real estate, finance, and tourism but also extend into agricultural and renewable energy sectors, offering avenues to mitigate climate and environmental challenges. Ultimately, the study concludes that while these regional investments may support domestic diversification endeavors and promote economic integration within the region, they are also underpinned by the geo-economic agendas of Saudi and Emirati leaders, aiming to hedge against political and economic uncertainties.

Bahraini-Turkish Relations: A Strategic Role Adaptation of Manama

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:18:00 GMT

Turkish-Bahraini bilateral ties provide a fertile ground for a comprehensive set of discussions on regional affairs, yet it is an understudied topic with little work done on these bilateral ties. This research aims to fulfill a valid gap in the Gulf studies literature by describing the Bahraini foreign policy dynamics in its relations with Türkiye. In this respect, the purpose is to answer two questions: What are the major national role types that Bahrain accommodates in the contemporary Middle East system in conducting foreign policymaking towards Türkiye? How does Bahrain’s role conceptions towards Türkiye work under a sub-regional Saudi hegemony? There has been continuous, solid, yet limited diplomatic communication between Bahrain and Türkiye. With a hybrid use of post-structural discourse theory and role theory the nature of the emerging ties is elaborated, focusing on the Bahraini foreign affairs. This research proposes that there are two dynamics in the Bahraini foreign policymaking towards Türkiye: a faithful ally of Saudi Arabia and strategic role adaptation. These roles are either played simultaneously, as is the case in the peak years of cooperation with Türkiye, or being a faithful ally of Saudi Arabia dominates Bahrain’s strategic role adaptations, notably in the times of crises.

Mapping the Potential of the Strategic Partnerships between Indonesia and Türkiye: Challenges and Opportunities

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:29:00 GMT

Using Nadkarni’s theoretical framework, this study argues that Türkiye has been unable to raise its relations with Indonesia to the level of strategic partnership. This study examines the reasons for this in two separate layers: First, as a rising middle power, Indonesia is a country where the role of the leader in the foreign policymaking process is relatively influential. This situation shows that Turkish policymakers should take into consideration the leaders’ foreign policy orientations in their relations with Indonesia. Secondly, Turkish decision-makers need to carefully analyze internal factors such as culture and domestic politics when developing relations with middle-power countries. In this context, although this study finds that military and commercial relations between Türkiye and Indonesia have reached a significant level, it argues that this is still not sufficient for a strategic partnership. Finally, this study suggests that Indonesia and Türkiye should build their relations by thoroughly considering the internal dynamics in each country.

The Global Maritime Fulcrum and Its Repercussions on Indonesian Free and Active Foreign Policy (2014-2019)

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:32:00 GMT

This article aims to examine the realization of the Global Maritime Fulcrum (GMF) and its repercussion on “free and active foreign policy” in Indonesia, in the context of the country’s need for infrastructure investment and rising tensions due to China’s economic dominance through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). To achieve GMF’s five main pillars, primarily maritime connectivity, the Indonesian government has received a large amount of loans from Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and allowed Chinese direct investment (CDI), including infrastructure investment such as Industrial Parks. However, there are concerns that this could endanger one of Indonesia’s fundamental foreign policies, which has been “free and active” since its independence. The research concludes that between 2014 and 2019, increased Chinese direct investment in Indonesia contributed to GMF, mainly through infrastructure investments and maritime connectivity, yet to employ GMF without violating free and active foreign policy, Joko Widodo’s approach was conducted through middle power strategy.

Contemporary Islamic Thought in Indonesia 2010-2023: Contested Public Sphere

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:37:00 GMT

Indonesian Islamic thought is important in the context of contemporary Indonesian politics. Contemporary politics has seen a shift from sectarian and ideological toward more inclusive and dynamic dialogues. In Indonesian Islamic thought, there is a contestation in the public sphere between conservative and progressive currents. The conservative trends are usually rather closed to new interpretations, while the progressive tend to be open to new trends based on social realities. The future of open Islamic thought in Indonesia as a characteristic of wasatiyah Islam will be maintained as its two largest Islamic organizations, Muhammadiyah and the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), continue to fight for the ideals of Islam. In addition, inclusive Islam will gain strength if political parties are no longer sectarian but extend the post-Islamism movement.

From the Invasion to the October Protests: Iraq’s Search for Stability Caught in U.S.-Iran Crossfire

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 14:36:00 GMT

Iraq was a significant regional power during the Saddam Hussein regime, especially in his first years of reign. However, the Gulf Wars and the end of the Cold War almost wiped-out Iraq’s military and political capabilities in the region. Beginning with Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the country was smothered under harsh UN sanctions and invasive weapons inspections. Ironically, the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq gave a huge room for Iranian influence on Iraqi politics, which harbored a U.S.-Iranian battle for influence. The U.S.-Iran competence and successive Iraqi governments’ failure to deliver services to Iraqi people met with a heavy backlash as massive anti-government protests that began in 2015 forced the Iraqi governments to introduce reform programs. In particular, the October Protests of 2018 challenged the Iraqi elite’s political influence on Iraqi politics and prompted them to lead technocrat governments. In the years since, Iraq’s politicians have been trying their utmost to convert Iraq from a conflict-torn and oil-dependent nation to one that is a significant player in the Middle East.

From the Invasion to the October Protests: Iraq’s Search for Stability Caught in U.S.-Iran Crossfire

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 14:44:00 GMT

Art and the Arab Spring: Aesthetics of Revolution and Resistance in Tunisia and Beyond

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 14:57:00 GMT

The book’s primary audience is scholars of international relations who are in- terested in the Arab Spring but wish to look at it from a new angle, as well as multidisci- plinary researchers interested in the subject matter. Overall, it is an important piece of work that should not be neglected.

A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: The Saudi Struggle for Iraq

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:07:00 GMT

The ideological hostility and walls of suspicion between Riyadh and Tehran have become a significant dynamic in the relations with post- Saddam Hussein Shiite led Iraq. The policies thoroughly analyzed in this work, A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: The Saudi Struggle for Iraq by Katherine Harvey, exemplify how historical traumas and prejudices can pro- foundly influence the foreign policymaking process.

A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: The Saudi Struggle for Iraq

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:07:00 GMT

The Age of Counter-Revolution: States and Revolutions in the Middle East

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 16:59:00 GMT

The book The Age of the Counter- Revolution by Jamie Allinson, a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Edinburgh, is based on his expertise in Middle Eastern politics to provide a nuanced examination of these complex events. The book extends beyond the regional focus to engage with broader discussions about the nature of revolution and counter-revolution in the contemporary world, making a significant contribution to the field of political science and international relations.

Arab Petro-Politics

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:06:00 GMT

Arab Petro-Politics, which is a historical reference source, has not been updated or expanded since its first publication in 1984 until this new 2023 edition. In this context, the only criticism can be said that the book was not updated in subsequent editions. The argument expressed by the author that “the Palestine issue is decisive in the policies of Arab states” (p. 51) has begun to change in recent years. Expanding new editions, especially considering the post-1990 period (the post-Cold War period) would have made the book much more valuable for researchers and academics studying the Middle East. In present times, the Arab states’ utilization of oil as a weapon in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has waned in significance. Meanwhile, Israel continues to carry out attacks against Palestine, largely without substantial reactions from the Arab states, actions that some perceive as amounting to genocide.

The EU, NATO, and the Libya Conflict: Anatomy of a Failure

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:12:00 GMT

Marcuzzi’s work is both timely and essential, providing a critical examination of a conflict that has had implications for regional stability and international security. The book is structured into well-defined sections that methodically explore the chronological unfolding of events, the decision-making processes, and the strategic miscalculations that led to what Marcuzzi terms a “failure” of the international community’s efforts in Libya (p. 157). In this regard, the book mainly comprises of two sections: ‘responsibility to protect’ and ‘responsibility to rebuild.’

Governments and Politics of the Contemporary Middle East: Discontinuity and Turbulence

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:18:00 GMT

The book provides a comprehensive guide for students, academics, and policymakers who seek to understand the Middle East’s complex and dynamic political structure. It analyzes how the region’s political systems and governments have evolved and shaped the current situation by offering a broad historical perspective. The book provides a highly relevant and comprehensive introduction to the complexities of a region in constant flux. The book’s multidisciplinary approach, which combines knowledge from political science, sociology, and history to provide readers with a comprehensive grasp of the area’s politics, is one of its strongest points. The author’s primary motivation is not the Middle East’s historical or religious background but rather the recent developments in the region in terms of geostrategic and economic issues. However, despite focusing on more contemporary politics, the book reserved several chapters for history and religion.

Détente: The Chance to End the Cold War

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:24:00 GMT

Crowder’s background as a diplomat afforded him access to numerous politicians, enabling him to portray events with remarkable accuracy and to weave a narrative that includes politicians, diplomats, soldiers, and activists from around the world. This unique approach differentiates Crowder’s work from other academic studies. By focusing on direct narratives and using a rich tapestry of sources, he creates a detailed and engaging portrayal of the détente period.

Great Power Politics in Greater Eurasia: Regional Alliances, Institutions, Projects, and Conflicts

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:29:00 GMT

The expansive region stretching from the Baltic states to Central Asia has become a contested space characterized by competing interests among global actors such as Russia, the European Union, Türkiye, the U.S., Iran, China, and India. As what we call Eurasia has no clear physical borders and comprises multiple complex sociopolitical and economic dynamics, this volatile backdrop underscores the need to revise how we analyze great power politics. Indeed, while the U.S. has been more reluctant to be directly involved in many of the geopolitical competition grounds, vacuums emerged after the Cold War. More recent events like the Arab Uprising have led to a shift in the dynamics of great power politics. This has not only created more space for rising global powers like China to expand their influence but also for rising regional powers like Türkiye, Iran, and Saudi Arabia to play a more significant role in this region

Ukraine and Russia: From Civilized Divorce to Uncivil War

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:34:00 GMT

D’Anieri emphasizes that a traditional problem in international politics and the new one in the post-Cold War era linked the Russia-Ukraine conflict to broader European affairs, making both much more challenging to deal with. In this respect, the steps one country considered necessary to protect itself were threatening by others and led to a cycle of action and reaction, generally known as a security dilemma. Additionally, the enlargement of NATO to Eastern Europe was another issue.

Russia’s War against Ukraine

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:39:00 GMT

Gwendolyn Sasse’s Russia’s War against Ukraine provides a concise yet clear and comprehensive overview of the lead-up to the current state of war by focusing on independence, regional diversity, protest, the democratic transformation of Ukraine, and the role of Putin. Sasse’s work fits well within a growing body of literature on the subject. By choosing to focus on specific elements, the author deliberately omits other relevant aspects of conflict, such as military and strategic components. However, the reader could have benefitted more from a brief explanation of the role of external actors involved, such as the U.S., NATO, and the EU.