Description
In the past decade, Turkish foreign policy has decisively moved away from the EU and NATO and found new partners, such as Russia. Yet, despite manifest anger toward the West in general, Turkey’s alliance with the UK has remained stable, as evidenced by multiple high-level visits and cordial relations between the two countries’ leaders. What explains this durability in Turkey’s bilateral ties with the UK? This paper answers this question from the perspective of Ankara and by looking at Turkish elite perceptions of the UK. Primary research in the Turkish parliamentary and newspaper archives covering the last five decades, as well as interviews with former diplomats and politicians, show that Turkish elites believe that the UK treats the country with well-deserved respect and recognition. This self-pride, reflected through the eyes of a Western power, is evident in the way Turkish elites have referred to the Gallipoli Campaign of the First World War. The tragedy of war, which resulted in victory against British colonialism, has produced the persistent belief that a level playing field exists between Turkey and the UK, recognized not only by Ankara but also (and more importantly) by London. While explaining the basis of today’s close diplomatic relations, this finding also adds insights to the burgeoning literature on emotions and IR. Focusing on one particular tragic event in history and how it has constructed identities and diplomatic relations in the post-colonial era, the paper provides an alternative non-Western lens to emotional discourses, centred around pride, self-worth and respect.
