Summary of Turkey's Foreign Policy and Historical Context

Introduction

• Overview of Turkey's recent foreign policy actions under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
• Discussion of NATO's role and Turkey's controversial actions as a member state.

NATO and Turkey's Foreign Policy Actions

• NATO Overview: Defensive military alliance founded against Soviet expansionism.
• Turkey's Actions: Seen as rogue; aggressive foreign policy since 2010s.
  • Threats against Greece (e.g., ballistic missile capabilities).
  • Military invasions in Syria (2016-2019) resulting in territorial occupations.
• Economic Moves: Shutdown of Kirkuk-Sehan pipeline affecting Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq.
• Support to Azerbaijan: Military assistance against Armenia; denial of the Armenian Genocide.
• Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Balancing act; selling arms to Ukraine while purchasing Russian energy resources.

Historical Context of Turkey's Formation

• Post-Ottoman Period: Emergence of the Republic of Turkey after World War I.
• Treaty of Sèvres (1920): Division of the Ottoman Empire, creation of independent states for Armenians and Kurds.
• Turkish Independence War: Reaction against harsh treaty terms leading to the Treaty of Lausanne (1923).

Ethnic and National Identity Policies

• Kurdish Population: Ongoing policies of assimilation; denial of Kurdish identity.
• Armenian Genocide: Ongoing international controversy regarding historical events between 1915-1917.
• Demographic Displacement: Population exchanges between Greece and Turkey post-independence.

Geopolitical Ambitions and Military Strategy

• Marmara Region Importance: Key geographic area for trade and agriculture; historical significance.
• Military Expansion Goals: Desire to secure borders and influence surrounding regions (e.g., Aegean Sea).
• Rejection of International Maritime Laws: Turkey's stance on territorial waters and economic zones (EES).

Cold War and NATO Membership

• Joining NATO (1952): Driven by fear of Soviet expansion; strategic asset for the West.
• Territorial Disputes: Ongoing issues with Greece, especially surrounding Cyprus.

Recent Developments and Future Outlook

• Energy Security: Discovery of natural gas reserves in the Black Sea; reduced dependency on Russian imports.
• Kurdish Insurgency: Ongoing conflict with PKK; military interventions in Iraq and Syria.
• International Relations: Turkey's balancing act between East and West; tensions with NATO allies.
• Maritime Claims: Ongoing disputes with Greece and Cyprus over resource exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean.
• Demographic Trends: Future projections indicate population advantages for Turkey over Greece.

Conclusion

• Turkey's multifaceted foreign policy shaped by historical legacies, national identity, and geopolitics.
• Complex interplay of domestic and international factors influencing Turkey's position within NATO and the broader global landscape.