Description
The primary research question of this project revolves around understanding Turkey's foreign policy behavior in the early XXI century by analyzing its relationship with a set of different partners: a traditional strategic ally such as NATO and a non-traditional ally such as Russia over the last 20 years. By analyzing Turkey's relations with NATO and with a non-traditional ally over the past two decades, this research project seeks to contribute empirically to the literature on middle-power behavior in the international system. The project seeks to illuminate the intricacies and conduct of Turkey's foreign policy, particularly during crises, to scrutinize Ankara's stance and the factors that influence the nation's alignment or divergence with NATO and Russia. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of middle power conduct, shedding light on the strategies employed by countries like Turkey as they navigate the global arena and strive to carve out their own space and increase their posture in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape. Furthermore, the project will empirically contribute to the literature concerning international alliances, which, starting from the 21st century, have not been deemed of primary significance and are coming back to the agenda following the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This project employs a qualitative research methodology grounded in foreign policy analysis and process tracing techniques.
