Description
This paper examines how religion has been instrumentalized in Turkish foreign policy from the early 2000s to the present, with a focus on the Justice and Development Party (AKP in Turkish acronym) era. While Turkey has historically maintained a secular foreign policy orientation, the AKP rule has increasingly invoked religious narratives and coopted religious actors in the service of foreign policy to bolster Turkey’s soft power, foster transnational networks, and legitimize foreign interventions. This study explores the dual character of religion as both a diplomatic tool and a source of controversy, analysing cases such as Ankara’s outreach to Muslim-majority states, humanitarian diplomacy, and the activities of state-affiliated religious institutions abroad. Drawing on official statements and secondary literature and employing political discourse analysis as the methodological framework, this research argues that while the use of religion has enhanced Turkey’s influence in certain contexts, it has also deepened regional polarization and eroded trust among foreign partners. By conceptualizing the ‘use’ and ‘abuse’ of religion in foreign policy, this study contributes to broader debates on the instrumentalization of religion and religious identity in international relations and the long-term consequences of blending faith with statecraft.
