In recent years, not only have the changes in Turkish foreign policy been discussed but also the key factors and actors behind the change. This book deals with both the professional and academic life of the foreign minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoğlu, and provides information on him and on developments in Turkish foreign policy. The author, Gürkan Zengin, is a journalist with an interest in foreign relations. His book includes a number of important stories of Davutoğlu from when he was a university professor and advisor up to today as a diplomat and minister. It seems that the author reached his conclusions and got information for the book from colleagues of Davutoğlu, his writings, and from other media. At first sight, this book is very beneficial for those who are interested in Davutoğlu and Turkish foreign policy in general.
In the prologue Zengin starts his book by using the comparison of “the man who pushes the car”, likening cars to Turkish foreign policy and Davutoğlu to the man who pushes Turkish foreign policy. It is a very successful comparison. Actually after Davutoğlu’s work as an advisor and minister, Turkey has started to play a very important role in world politics. And importantly for Turkey, Davutoğlu has changed the direction of foreign policy with his “zero problem with neighbors” policy. Davutoğlu explains the aim of his zero problem policy by saying “if we think about that Turkey is exactly surrounded with enemies, then we cannot make expansion, just show defensive reaction. When we achieve zero problems with our neighbors, we will also gain extraordinary space of movement in foreign policy” (p. 88). Davutoğlu believes in minimizing the possibility of conflict, and argues that countries have to increase economic cooperation. The book contributes to a better understanding of this policy.
The author makes strong connections and gives a good background for Davutoğlu’s interest in Bosnia in the 1990s and today’s Turkish foreign policy in Balkans. When Davutoğlu was a professor in Malaysia, Alija Izzetbegovic requested that Davutoğlu become an honorary consul to Bosnia, a position he accepted. When Davutoğlu saw Bosnian students, who wanted to study academic areas apart from international relations and politics, he said that “in your country, there will be war, your country will not need economists or businessmen but diplomats and international law experts” (p. 442). Zengin also examines Davutoğlu’s efforts to help Bosnia within NATO. When Davutoğlu convinced NATO that Bosnia was a potential member, Zengin says that in Bosnia it was declared almost a national holiday and Bosnian newspapers paid a lot of attention to it. This information is very important for those who want to see the connection between Turkey’s Balkan policy and the existing support for it in the Balkans.
The other most important part of the book is about the Mavi Marmara issue, which was when nine Turkish citizens were killed in international waters by Israeli commandos that were stopping the ship taking humanitarian aid to Gaza. The book portrays Turkish diplomacy during and after this historical event. When Davutoğlu received the news, he was in Rio de Janeiro. Immediately, he called the Turkish permanent representative in the UN and asked him to immediately convene the UN Security Council. When Davutoğlu reached New York, the meeting started and he used very harsh words toward Israel. The author provides a lot of information about the Mavi Marmara issue in the book, as well as the role of Davutoğlu and his diplomacy.
The author also touches on Davutoğlu’s now-classic book, Strategic Depth, one of the most important contribution to international relations literature in Turkey. Although it is in its 60th edition, the lack of clear language, which would allow for a wider readership, is considered an issue. Zengin not only contextualizes this book, he also gives a very simplified summary of the book and its main ideas. In that sense, Zengin’s book can be seen as a public interpretation of Strategic Depth.
Despite the book’s simplicity, there are some issues. For example, the book has no systematic structure and it is written in a journalistic style rather than with a careful analysis. But its simple language is an advantage in getting a wider readership to provide a popular analysis of Davutoğlu and his ideas..
Hoca: Türk Dış Politikasında Davutoğlu Etkisi
In recent years, not only have the changes in Turkish foreign policy been discussed but also the key factors and actors behind the change. This book deals with both the professional and academic life of the foreign minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoğlu, and provides information on him and on developments in Turkish foreign policy.
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