Turkey’s Balance of Power Politics in the Axis of Europe, US, and Russia

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The downfall of relations between Turkey and the U.S. along with certain European countries in the last few years have weakened the country’s ties with the Western alliance. Considering that this alliance was established with NATO during the Cold War and based itself on security cooperation, the negative approach adopted by Western states towards Turkey’s security has deteriorated these relations. There are two issues that are distracting and inexplicable in terms of the solidarity expected from the NATO alliance. The first is, despite listing the PKK as a terrorist organization, Western states are allowing affiliates of this terrorist group to act freely in Europe. Second is the un-hidden military and financial support for the PYD, which is another arm of the PKK. The policies of Turkey’s Western “allies” during the July 15 coup attempt, which were perceived as a tacit support for the coup, further deteriorated relations. Similarly, countries like the U.S. and Germany opening their doors and offering protection to FETO members, who are being prosecuted as perpetrators of the coup attempt, is disconcerting Turkey.

Moreover, the insistence of these countries, in utilizing organizations like PKK/PYD and FETO as a means to “re-calibrate” Turkey’s “shifted axis” continues to obstruct healthy relations between Ankara and Western capitals. It should be highlighted that these listed terrorist organizations are not the only methods Western countries adopt in their so-called process to “re-orbit” Turkey. Attempts to press Turkey on Iraq, Syria and Qatar fronts, and enabling mechanisms of economic disruption like Germany did, and ventures aiming to spread distrust through adjudications like the US did can be considered as said tools.

Ankara not backing down from its independentist foreign policy means the continuation of the Western attacks.

In this case, what should Turkey’s foreign policy look like?

Firstly, as the country has limited economic and military capacity in comparison to global powers, Turkey will inevitably seek a balance that will relieve the pressure from Western countries and allow it a wider room for maneuver. In this respect, Turkey should improve relations with global powers like Russia and China, while emphasizing cooperation and tensions with regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Iran.

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Turkey’s Balance of Power Politics in the Axis of Europe, US, and Russia - Politics Today

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