Turkey’s militarized foreign policy provokes Iraq
Sinem Cengiz
May 07, 2021 22:41
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar visits Turkish troops at the border with Iraq in Hakkari province on June 19, 2020. (AP Photo)
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For years, domestic balances, threat perceptions and foreign policymaking institutions have had an important effect on Turkey’s foreign policy pattern. However, the country’s foreign policymaking mechanisms have gone through serious structural changes in the past two decades.
Before the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002, foreign policy decision-making mechanisms were made up of both high-ranking military generals and diplomats. The National Security Council was the key body in those times. Civilian politicians and elected leaders were not very influential in the decision-making processes, especially concerning national security matters. It was always said that “national security matters are too