Insight Turkey / issues

Editor's Note | Fall 2024

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 21:08:00 GMT

This issue of Insight Turkey seeks to address many of these topics, offering in-depth analyses to enhance our understanding not only of Turkish foreign policy but also of the regional and global dynamics in which Türkiye plays a pivotal role.

Post-Sinwar Hamas and Palestinian Resistance

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 19:15:00 GMT

This commentary examines the effects of the martyrdom of Yahya Sinwar, the head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, as the mastermind of Operation al-Aqsa Flood, on the Palestinian resistance, on the ceasefire agreement, and on the future of the Hamas movement. The commentary posits that Sinwar’s martyrdom confirmed the Israeli occupation’s chronic failure to understand the mentality of the Palestinian resistance on October 7. The occupation’s failure to expect Sinwar to be fighting on the front lines, as well as its expectation of the weakness of the resistance after Sinwar’s martyrdom, serves as additional evidence that the primary characteristic of the Israeli occupation is its lack of understanding of the resistance's mentality and Palestinian society. The commentary predicts that this characteristic will persist, causing the occupation to continue its crimes and inflict irreparable damage upon itself.

Understanding Iran’s Position in the Post-October 7 Middle East

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 19:48:00 GMT

On October 7, the Middle East witnessed a dramatic shift that reshaped geopolitical and security dynamics. Iran's central role in this transformation has not been limited to influencing the Israel-Palestine conflict but has also produced significant implications for regional stability and global power competition. While Iran denied its organizational role in Hamas's Operation al-Aqsa Flood, Tehran's “forward defense” approach has facilitated a new dynamic of wearing down Israel through its regional armed partners while avoiding direct confrontation. This dynamic has created the risk of direct conflict and even war between Iran and Israel. Categorically avoiding the option of war, Iran has made strategic use of regional diplomacy, particularly its rapprochement with Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia. However, Iran's domestic challenges, anticipated policy shifts in the U.S. under Trump, and regional rivalries complicate Tehran's position. This commentary examines Iran's policy toward Israel from historical, strategic, and contemporary perspectives. It explores the strategic calculations and balancing actions and mechanisms implemented by Iran in the post-October 7 period to avoid a full-scale war in the region.

The Second Trump Administration and Its Implications to the Global Order

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 20:13:00 GMT

The prospect of a second Trump term has reignited global apprehensions, sparking renewed debates about the future trajectory of U.S. foreign policy and its broader implications for international relations. Would his administration once again pursue the "America First" approach, marked by isolationist tendencies, weakened multilateral frameworks, strained alliances, and often unpredictable policymaking style? Or might it chart a new path, potentially adapting to shifting global realities and responding to mounting challenges with a more measured and conciliatory strategy? This commentary seeks to delve into the heart of these debates by examining three key pillars: Trump’s prior foreign policy decisions and their long-term impacts, his current campaign promises and rhetoric, and the evolving geopolitical challenges that await the U.S. on the world stage. Would a second term amplify the unpredictability of his first, further eroding trust in the U.S. as a global leader, or might it reflect lessons learned, offering a recalibrated strategy aimed at balancing national interests with global responsibilities.

War as the True Adversary and Türkiye’s Pivotal Role in Forging Peace

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 20:27:00 GMT

The central thesis of this article depends on deterrence theory and posits that nuclear war, rather than any specific nation or faction, constitutes the true adversary in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and that averting nuclear escalation must be prioritized above all else. After establishing the rationale for this position, the commentary offers a critical analysis of both Western and Russian policies, highlighting their role in intensifying the conflict without sufficiently accounting for the risks of nuclear confrontation. As an alternative peaceful path, the article examines the Turkish approach as a concise applied case study, emphasizing its balanced diplomatic and military engagement with both Ukraine and Russia. Through its promotion of dialogue and facilitation of peace negotiations, Türkiye exemplifies a strategic approach to conflict resolution that aims not only to prevent further escalation —especially the threat of nuclear conflict— but also to pave the way toward sustainable peace.

Türkiye’s Public Diplomacy Ecosystem: Institutionalization, Arguments, and Practices

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 13:37:00 GMT

Türkiye’s public diplomacy has begun to be addressed within a systematic framework following the establishment of the Directorate of Communications in 2018. With this new phase, Türkiye, has entered a period which is marked by the strengthening and deepening of its public diplomacy policies across institutional, theoretical, and practical terms. Today, Türkiye’s public diplomacy ecosystem, composed of diverse actors, is shaped by the principle of ‘Strengthening the Türkiye Brand.’ Enhancing Türkiye’s reputation globally, cultivating positive perceptions, and establishing permanent relationships with foreign audiences sit at the heart of Türkiye’s public diplomacy practices and nation branding strategies. This article aims to put a spotlight on Türkiye’s public diplomacy ecosystem by examining its practices and highlight the transformative impact of institutionalization on this ecosystem through the concept of nation branding. It is stressed that as public diplomacy efforts led by the Directorate of Communications have become institutionalized, Türkiye has been actively promoting its nation brand, making use of different aspects of public diplomacy tools. The article shines light on public diplomacy actors’ efforts regarding the shared goal of ‘Strengthening the Türkiye Brand.’

Can Türkiye Ensure a Small-Scale Pax Turka through Its Defense Industry and Military Power?

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 16:07:00 GMT

Türkiye’s relentless efforts to produce indigenous weapons have eventually turned into a success story. While the production of mid-range and mid-size advanced weapons is already concluded, the race for the most advanced and largest weapons is still underway. This study argues that Türkiye has partly ensured a Pax Turka in some conflicts, and the more sophisticated weapons the Turkish defense industry produces, the more the Pax Turka might be prevalent, at least in some parts of the region. A small-scale Pax Turka is likely because, first, the decisive factor for peace is military strength and industry, which Türkiye considerably has and is continuing to have. Second, Türkiye is eligible to lead friendly countries, and the latter may accept the former’s leadership due to various advantages as well as necessities. Third, Türkiye and regional countries, which are also buyers of Turkish weapons, have similar characteristics and are dependent on each other, compelling them to uphold peace with the help of Türkiye. The study also asserts that the scope of Pax Turka may expand in the 2030s.

Public Diplomacy Cooperation Proposal for Türkiye and Azerbaijan

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 16:26:00 GMT

This study posits that Türkiye and Azerbaijan, united by the concept of “one nation, two states,” which is deeply ingrained in public opinion and reflected in their cooperation, can expand their strategic partnership into the realm of public diplomacy. Both nations have sought to align their interests, increase their visibility on the global stage, engage with people from other countries, and share their narratives with the world. Notably, both countries prioritize public diplomacy activities. Azerbaijan’s public diplomacy efforts have primarily centered on highlighting Armenia’s occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Khojaly Massacre since its inception. These issues have been Azerbaijan’s primary policy focus, limiting its ability to develop its public diplomacy tools and actors in other areas. Conversely, Türkiye appears to place relatively greater emphasis on public diplomacy activities within its region and boasts strong public diplomacy tools and actors. This study aims to transfer Türkiye’s public diplomacy experiences to Azerbaijan and explore the potential for joint public diplomacy initiatives between the two nations. By comparing the public diplomacy policies of both countries, the study analyzes the prerequisites for Türkiye and Azerbaijan to engage in joint public diplomacy activities.

An Analysis of Personal Values, Militaristic-Internationalistic Ideologies, and Attitudes of Türkiye: Case of Russia-Ukraine War

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 17:09:00 GMT

This research aims to determine the mediating role of militarist and internationalist sentiments in the relationship between the personal values of Turkish society and their attitudes toward the war. According to the results, it was observed that the degree of an individuals’ conservative and self-transcendence values affected their attitudes toward war. Moreover, the militarist attitude had a partial mediator role in the participants’ conservatism and self-transcendence values on the attitude towards war, and the internationalism dimension had a partial mediator role in the effect of the self-transcendence value on the attitude towards militarism. The research results are expected to make theoretical contributions to addressing the international relations literature and the concepts of attitude and value developed in psychology and also provide valuable contributions in directing government policies and judgments regarding the determining of a society’s attitude toward war.

The Republican People’s Party’s Approach to the Kurdish Question: A Comparison of Deniz Baykal and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu Periods

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 17:43:00 GMT

This study focuses on the Kurdish question that has occupied the political and social agenda of Türkiye for a long time. It also closely examines the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) approach to the issue. This study analyzes and compares the approaches of two former chairmen of the CHP, the late Deniz Baykal and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, to the Kurdish question. The study focuses on the approaches of the two leaders to nationalism, ethnic identity, and identity politics while it tries to capture the continuity and change in the CHP’s attitude toward the Kurdish question. The study uses comparison and discourse analysis methods and concentrates on party programs, election manifestos, and the leader’s speeches. The concern of protecting the regime seemed to determine the CHP’s approach to the Kurdish question during the Baykal period, but the socio-economic problems of the Kurds defined the party’s approach as it partially moved away from nationalist policies in the Kılıçdaroğlu period.

Iran’s Intelligence Apparatus from Past to Present: Institutional Process and Political Handicaps

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 18:37:00 GMT

The Iranian intelligence apparatus acquired an institutional structure in the modern period, particularly under the rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. It was associated with the renowned SAVAK and underwent substantial transformations following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Notwithstanding the initial reservations of certain revolutionary leaders, notably Ruhollah Khomeini, it re-emerged as a formidable ministry in 1984. Since the 2000s, with the reinforcement of the IRGC within the country and its growing importance in all strategic sectors, from energy to communication, parallel structures have begun to emerge in the field of intelligence. This situation stems from the internal power struggle and represents a significant source of vulnerability and potential leaks, as later acknowledged by former intelligence directors. This article will provide a concise overview of the historical milestones of the Iranian intelligence apparatus up until 1979, followed by an examination of the debates that took place during the post-revolutionary restructuring of the security bureaucracy. In this context, the structure and activities of the Ministry of Intelligence will be compared with those of similar institutions in other countries. Finally, the issues that have arisen as a result of the competition between the intelligence agencies of the IRGC and other intelligence organizations will be discussed.

Navigating Geopolitical Corridors: India-Iran’s Aspirations in Central Asia under the U.S. Pressure

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:05:00 GMT

The quest for expanding influence in Central Asia has long been a pursuit for India and Iran, driven by historical, cultural, economic, and strategic imperatives. This article seeks to understand why these two countries have not been able to materialize their shared goal despite possessing high potential and a common desire. Drawing on the theoretical framework of neoclassical realism, this study highlights how systemic constraints, particularly those imposed by the U.S., have impeded India’s efforts to draw closer to Iran and thwarted the finalization of crucial joint infrastructure projects, such as INSTC and the development of Iran’s Chabahar port. Key to these constraints is the regional strategy employed by the U.S., which aims to bind India within the Indo-Pacific alliance-building framework while isolating Iran through sanctions regimes. Employing the process tracking method and drawing insight from national documents and statements of senior officials, this research sheds light on the complex interplay of international system dynamics impacting the pursuit of India and Iran’s regional ambitions.

Infrastructure Projects and Iraq’s Economy: Studying the Implications of the Grand Faw Port and the Dry Canal

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:10:00 GMT

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the impact of two significant infrastructure projects in Iraq on the country and the region. It explores how the development of the Grand Faw Port and the Dry Canal, which are two projects connecting Iraq with Europe through Türkiye and Syria, could revolutionize Iraq’s role in global trade and its overall economic landscape. The study employs a qualitative approach to assess the geopolitical advantages, strategic importance in the Middle East, and potential synergy with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, especially with the potential to connect Iraq’s projects with the China-Pakistani Economic Corridor. It also considers the role of these projects in energy transit and the associated challenges. The research suggests these projects could bring substantial economic and geopolitical benefits to Iraq, enhancing its regional influence and cooperation. This detailed examination highlights the strategic significance of these projects for Iraq’s future economic development and international positioning.

Sumgait vs. Khojaly: Unraveling the Nexus of Moscow’s Interests, Denialism, and Hidden Agendas

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:32:00 GMT

The violence, fatalities, and displacement of people during the Sumgait events of 1988 and the Khojaly massacre of 1992 etch them in the collective memory, marking significant moments in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict during the twilight of the Soviet Union. This study aims to examine the Sumgait events of 1988 and the Khojaly massacre of 1992 in a comparative manner. To this end, the following research questions will be addressed within the study’s scope: What were Russia’s imperialistic interests in its ‘passive’ and ‘active’ involvement in both cases? Did the parties to the conflict exhibit a motive of denialism concerning the compared cases? Lastly, were there any premeditated and deliberate actions during the events?

Rethinking Peacebuilding in Afghanistan: A Post-Structuralist Approach

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:48:00 GMT

This paper examines the “liberal peace” paradigm and its associated peacebuilding methodological approach, identifying significant roadblocks arising from its epistemological and ontological foundations and institutional hegemony. The failures of the “liberal peace project” in conflict-affected societies have raised doubts about its validity and reliability as a transformative approach. Despite claims of compatibility with local cultural, social, and religious sensitivities, the implementation of top-down theoretical frameworks has often lacked genuine emancipation, yielding disparate outcomes. Surprisingly, there has been limited effort to deconstruct the entire “liberal peace” paradigm. This paper does not propose alternative peacebuilding approaches; instead, it aims to stimulate critical reflections to foster the emergence of alternative discourses. Focusing on Afghanistan as a case study, the analysis employs post-structuralism to deconstruct the theoretical underpinnings of the “liberal peace” order and to examine the U.S. peacebuilding framework in Afghanistan. By doing so, it reveals the intricacies of the “liberal peace” approach and identifies potential areas for improvement and reformulation.

In Pursuit of Regional Hegemony: How Iran Is Using the IRGC to Resist U.S. Influence

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:50:00 GMT

With its ancient history, deep-rooted culture and rich heritage, Iran has been an influential power in the Middle East. Hence, Iran has always wanted to be the dominant power in the region. During the Pahlavi dynasty, Iran emerged as a significant regional power with close relations with the United States. However, the 1979 Islamic Revolution changed Iran’s foreign and regional policy. The alliance with the U.S. turned into hostility, and a more aggressive policy toward neighbors was pursued. This has resulted in Iran becoming increasingly isolated, both internationally and regionally. Iran’s status internationally, as a pariah state, has precluded the utilization of conventional warfare tactics by the Iranian state in its dealing with powerful rivals. Consequently, Iran has adopted different means to become a regional hegemonic power.

Soft Power and Great-Power Competition: Shifting Sands in the Balance of Power between the United States and China

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 14:05:00 GMT

The transformation in the global balance of power and China’s growing influence requires a reassessment of the concept of power in the context of international relations literature. This book, which includes essays on the post Cold War period by Nye, one of the leading theorists of the concept of soft power, and the transcript of an online interview conducted with Nye as part of the “China and World” webinar series organized by the Center for China and Globalization in 2021, provides an important theoretical framework for understanding the changing global dynamics.

The Commander-In-Chief Test: Public Opinion and the Politics of Image-Making in U.S. Foreign Policy

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:40:00 GMT

Jeffrey A. Friedman presents an alternative understanding of the common ideas around foreign decision-making and the policy application process. The alternative challenge the understanding that each issue has somewhat of an impact on the processes of presidential policy and that there is not a sizable pattern. He points out the problematic correlation between personal image-making and foreign policy positions. The book does not necessarily provide a formula for success in foreign policy making and the popularity of a leader but rather makes the patterns visible of what, at times, can be an unpredictable relationship.

Tribalism and Political Power in the Gulf: State Building and National Identity in Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:05:00 GMT

Tribalism, bedouinism, and tribal politics are constantly a topic of interest in Gulf Studies. The persistence of publications revolving around the relationship between tribes and the state proves that such notions remain relevant and valid in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) political context. In their book, Tribalism and Political Power in the Gulf: State Building and National Identity in Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, Courtney Freer and Alanoud al-Sharekh deal with tribes as modern and political units and explore how such terms are used, pointing to different meanings attached depending on the context. Therefore, they successfully highlight the dynamic and changing nature of the tribe, along with tribal values and customs, as adjusting and evolving elements in a political and social environment rather than having a single, stable definition. They selected Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE —GCC’s ‘super-rentier states’— as their case studies for a comparative approach, believing them to be the best examples of rentier state theory in the Gulf, given their similar circumstances.

The Futures of Racial Capitalism

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:15:00 GMT

Although capitalism experienced various crises in the 20th century, it overcame each of them. Despite its criticisms, capitalism continues to persist in the 21st century. In the book The Futures of Racial Capitalism, Gargi Bhattacharyya offers an ambitious and detailed critique of capitalism. The book consists of six chapters, excluding the introduction and conclusion. The chapters present solid arguments for why capitalism is dangerous and for recognizing it as such. The book’s central premise revolves around racial capitalism, a term coined by Cedric Robinson to describe the inherent connections between capitalism and racial exploitation. According to the book, racial capitalism is not simply an economic system that functions in parallel to racism; rather, it is a system that is deeply dependent on racial hierarchies and differentiation to sustain itself.

Food Security, Affordable Housing, and Poverty: An Islamic Finance Perspective

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:20:00 GMT

The book, Food Security, Affordable Housing, and Poverty: An Islamic Finance Perspective, is part of a series that aims to contribute to developments in the Islamic finance industry, moral economics, regulatory and supervisory issues, and risk and asset management. This series focuses on key developments in the Islamic finance sector, as well as related contributions to moral economics, innovations in financial instruments, regulatory and supervisory issues, risk management, insurance, and asset management. The book explores the issue of poverty, intricately intertwined with food security and affordable housing. The book argues that financial institutions’ lending practices and collateralization issues are driving up prices in the housing and food sectors.

Migration as Economic Imperialism: How International Labour Mobility Undermines Economic Development in Poor Countries

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:48:00 GMT

Immanuel Ness’s Migration as Economic Imperialism: How International Labour Mobility Undermines Economic Development in Poor Countries critically examines the relationship between international labour mobility and economic development in poor countries. The book disputes the belief that labor migration from the Global South to wealthier countries is mutually beneficial. Rather, Ness contends that this migration represents a contemporary form of economic imperialism that perpetuates underdevelopment in poorer countries while benefiting the economies of wealthier nations.

The Political Outsider: Indian Democracy and the Lineages of Populism

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:53:00 GMT

Populist movements in various countries, including India, the United States, Türkiye, Spain, and Brazil, mark a new direction in studying political science and democracy. One common characteristic of populism is the people’s opposition to the democratic system and practices, which tend to be established and benefit the political elite. An interesting question to discuss, in this context, is why populist movements are important for democracy.

Social Movements and the Struggles for Rights, Justice and Democracy in Paraguay

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:58:00 GMT

Struggles for Rights, Justice, and Democracy in Paraguay and Social Movements is a detailed and comprehensive work aimed at readers with a strong interest in Latin American studies and Paraguayan socio-political issues. Its in-depth case studies and historical analysis make it particularly valuable for researchers, academics, and policymakers. The book provides a nuanced understanding of various social movements in Paraguay offering insights into how these movements have shaped the country’s political and social landscape. It is an essential resource for those seeking to understand the dynamics of grassroots activism, democratization, and social justice in Paraguay, particularly in the Latin American context.

The Shining Star of the 21st Century: Organization of Turkic States

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 19:06:00 GMT

Globalization, multipolar international system and new economic initiatives in Eurasia, such as the Belt and Road Project, alongside the energy crisis between Europe and Russia and the emergence of new energy routes, have presented significant opportunities for the rise of the Turkic world. Initially, the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) focused on cooperation in the fields of culture and economy, known as low politics. Since 2010, however, it has expanded to include security and military cooperation, referred to as high politics. The integration process of OTS is progressing rapidly, and significant decisions are made annually. The introduction of OTS is crucial for Eurasia’s prosperity, security, and stability. Therefore, the book The Shining Star of the 21st Century: Organization of Turkic States, published by the Directorate of Communications of the Republic of Türkiye, aims to provide an essential introduction to OTS and its vital role in shaping the region’s future.

Türkiye’nin İstiklali: Milli Teknoloji Hamlesi

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 19:10:00 GMT

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, has caused unprecedented global change, advanced existing technologies and significantly impacted the international system. Countries such as China and South Korea, aiming to lead this change and strengthen their competitive advantage, are increasing their investments, recognizing the importance of technology and innovation on the global stage. They are challenging the technological dominance that has enabled the United States of America to maintain global leadership since the Cold War.