Turkey's Asia Relations

Description

This book explores shifts in Turkey's foreign policy and the relevance of Turkey's reconnect offensive with Asia. With the end of the Cold War, Turkey and the West had lost the mutuality of interests and threat perceptions, particularly towards Russia. Western countries are now occupied by the rise of China and are in search of new allies in the Asia Pacific. Turkey is left in its region to deal with Russia and crises that are primary outcomes of Western failures in Syria, Libya, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Qatar. In the absence of its Western allies, Turkey engaged with Russia alone to deconflict and stabilise Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan. Turkey's ruling conservative AK Party, however, had won elections from 2002 to 2012 on a strong pro-EU and pro-West agenda. Now, it is talking about ‘strategic autonomy’, ‘multidimensionalism’, ‘diversification’, or ‘the world is bigger than five’. The new foreign policy gestures are underpinned by the rise of the domestic defence industry, nationalist politics at home, and increased trade relations with key Asian economies, China, India, and Indonesia. At an international level, the ruling party has instrumentalised strong criticism of the West for injustice and neglect of the Turkish, Muslim, Islamic, and non-western world. Although this reminds of the history of Turkey's failed quests to shift from a West-centric foreign policy to an unknown direction, the book argues that Turkey's reconnect with Asia is rather to complement and strengthen its relations with the West. Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables The Narratives in Transitions Introduction References Three Transitions in Turkey’s Foreign Policy The Pursuit of Nation-ness Pan-Islamism Kemalism and Its Disjuntures Conclusion References Ottoman–Asia Relations: A Study of the Ottoman and Mughal Relations Introduction Effect/Role of Caliphate on the Ottomans’ Relations with Asian Powers Ottoman–Atche Sultanate Relations Ottoman–China Relations Ottoman Relations with South Indian Rulers The Dynastic Competition Between the Ottomans and Mughals Role of Safavid and Uzbeks in the Ottoman–Mughal Relations Ottoman–Mughal Relations Conclusion References A Post-Cold War Era Context of Turkey’s Asia Relations Pre-Cold War The Cold War Pakistan–Turkey Bangladesh–Turkey Relations Conclusion Primary Sources Turkey’s Foreign Policy in Asian Media Opinions Bangladesh India China Pakistan Conclusion References Strategic Diversification Turkey’s Relationship with Afghanistan and the Pakistan Factor: An Examination of Historical and Geopolitical Factors Historical Background Turkey’s Engagement in Afghanistan’s Since 9/11 Turkey’s Engagement with the Taliban and Pakistan Conclusion References Turkish-Asian Cooperation in Diversified Strategic Environment Introduction Asia-Conceptual Ambiguity Belatedness Limitedness/Constraints Awareness Comprehensiveness Security and Defence Cooperation Conclusion References Turkey’s Policy Towards Crisis Regions in Asia After 2002 Introduction Turkish Foreign Policy Since 2002 Kashmir: Status Quo Oriented Approach Turkey’s Uyghur Dilemma: Solidarity Versus Pragmatism The Rohingya Crisis: A Protectionist Approach The Moro Conflict: A Mediator Role Conclusion Bibliography Turkey’s Asia Opening: Problems and Prospects Introduction ‘Turkish Soft Power’ from Sufi Networks to AK Party Era Turkey’s Role Model as a Soft Power Resource Reengaging with Asia Turkey’s Opening to Asia The Challenges Before Soft Power References The Belt and Road Initiative, the Middle Corridor and Turkey’s Asia Policy: An Analysis Introduction Overview The BRI and Turkey The Middle Corridor and China BRI and the Middle Corridor: Complementarity or Competition? Potential Opportunities Key Challenges Conclusion References The Transactions Between the Two Worlds: Turkey’s Repositioning in the Global Economy Introduction Episode I: Turkey’s Rise as a Balanced ‘Trading State’ in a Multi-Polar World Episode II: Turkey Challenged and Emerged as a Developmental State Episode III: Breaking the Stalemate Through the Rise of Industrial State Quo Vadis? Turkey’s ‘Axis Shift’ Revisited Conclusion Annex: Turkey’s free trade agreements and regional trade agreements References Turkey’s Balancing Efforts in Its Economic Relations with Asia Introduction The Deficit: Turkey’s Merchandise Trade with Asia The Balancing Act: Investments from Asia and Services Trade Conclusion References Energy Security in Turkey’s Asia Relations Turkey’s Energy Scenario Turkey’s Energy Mix Gas Turkey’s Asia Relations Middle East and Turkish Energy Security A Sustainable Energy Security The Pipeline Diplomacy Collaborations, Investments, Joint Ventures The Caspian Sea Conundrum Conclusion References Appendix Select Chronology of Turkey–Asia Relations Conclusion Index