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Strategic Autonomy as a Dynamic of Convergence in Türkiye-EU Relations
Türkiye’s foreign policy has been deemed by analysts as a “re-orientation” and rupture with the country’s diplomatic past.
- Sinan Ülgen,
- Sophia Besch,
- İlke Toygür
Türkiye has been a key NATO ally for over 70 years and a noteworthy defense and security partner for the United States ever since, despite an often colorful bilateral relationship. Today, Turkish-U.S. relations are under strain as a result of numerous factors. This initiative aims to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities in this longstanding and important relationship, with a view to making policy recommendations that would serve the shared interests of both Türkiye and the United States.
This project is led by Alper Coşkun.
Türkiye’s foreign policy has been deemed by analysts as a “re-orientation” and rupture with the country’s diplomatic past.
Türkiye is an important transatlantic actor in Sino-Western competition. It can add value to Western efforts aimed at synchronizing policies toward a rising China. And yet, at present, Ankara’s policies on China are not harmonized with those of its partners in the West.
As the transatlantic allies adapt to Europe’s new geopolitical realities, maintaining unity against Russia will be critical. Türkiye will have a pivotal role to play in this long-term effort.
Calls for a more robust European defense pillar are often strong in principle but weak in detail. At NATO’s headquarters, most would consider Turkey as integral. But on EU premises , there would be little appetite to include Ankara when conceptualizing the defense of Europe.
As the United States continues to divert its energy to respond to China’s rise, the EU could start laying the foundations of a new security architecture on the European continent.
The postponement of Erdoğan’s Washington visit may be a missed opportunity, but the NATO Summit in July offers a chance to get back on track.
In contrast to the deadlocked land war, Ukraine’s tactics in the Black Sea have dealt Russia humiliating defeats, with Turkey emerging as the sea’s maritime power
The agreement, paired with Türkiye’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO accession, is a much-needed opportunity to put the countries’ distressed relationship back on track.
Not only could the policy proposal create jobs in Türkiye, including for the 3.3 million Syrian refugees there, but it could also provide a much-needed boost to Türkiye-U.S. relations through enhanced bilateral trade.
The country faces deep societal divisions about major aspects of its identity, with consequences for its future as an international actor and a regional power.
Türkiye wants to maintain strategic independence by working with Russia and China even as it sustains its ties to the West.
An interview detailing the nuances of Turkey’s foreign policy