issues | Insight Turkey https://www.insightturkey.com/ issues EN Editor's NoteInsight Turkey,in its 10 th volume, is out with a new design. We hope you will like it.https://www.insightturkey.com/editors-note/editors-notehttps://www.insightturkey.com/editors-note/editors-noteMon, 21 Nov 0208 18:22:08 GMTArticlesThis paper examines the impact of contested national identity on Turkish and Japanese foreign policies. Applying a modified constructivist theoretical framework, it seeks to explore the ways in which the national identities of Turkey and Japan are constructed, internalized and in turn externalized through their foreign policies. In examining the case of Turkey and Japan, the paper problematizes national identity as a contested space characterized by a dash of opposing sub-national identities with distinct readings of national interests and security. Hence foreign policy decisions emerge in the context of this contestation among opposing national identities.https://www.insightturkey.com/article/torn-identities-and-foreign-policy-the-case-of-turkey-and-japanhttps://www.insightturkey.com/article/torn-identities-and-foreign-policy-the-case-of-turkey-and-japanFri, 21 Nov 2008 12:54:28 GMTArticlesThis article seeks to analyze identity discourses in Turkey and Germany in the wake of the end of the bipolar world order. The radical changes taking place in the international system in the late 1980s and early 1990s led to extensive internal debates on state identity in both countries. It is puzzling that despite heavy discussion in Ankara and Berlin, in the end, both retained the former identities they had constructed during the Cold War. Systemic changes resulted in alternative state identity narratives in both countries, without leading to any major change in the direction of foreign policy. One of the main arguments of this paper is that the main reasons behind the preservation of former identities in Turkey and Germany were the political, strategic and economic benefits that both countries had acquired during the Cold War. Another important argument is that Turkish and German state identities based on the “Western” orientation were well-established and resistant, at least, to the alternative models which were being discussed in the post-Cold War era.https://www.insightturkey.com/article/systemic-changes-and-state-identity-turkish-and-german-responseshttps://www.insightturkey.com/article/systemic-changes-and-state-identity-turkish-and-german-responsesFri, 21 Nov 2008 13:03:21 GMTArticlesDespite its unique geographical and cultural position between East and the West, Turkey, throughout its modern history, has followed a Western-oriented foreign policy. This essay argues that Turkey’s Western orientation is closely linked to Turkey’s official Western identity created as a result of Turkey’s modernization project in the years following the Independence War. The Islamist challenge to this new identity occasionally created a tension between the secular/Kemalist elite and the Islamists in Turkey, which from time to time impinged upon Turkey’s foreign policy. The debate on Turkish foreign policy has been an extension of the debate on national identity in the past and still continues to be so. Therefore, in order to better understand the main determinants of Turkey’s foreign policy preferences and behaviors, an analysis of Turkish identity is needed.https://www.insightturkey.com/article/modernity-identity-and-turkeys-foreign-policyhttps://www.insightturkey.com/article/modernity-identity-and-turkeys-foreign-policyFri, 21 Nov 2008 13:13:52 GMTArticlesTurkey’s foreign policy needs a new orientation in the light of the new regional and global developments. As a major country in the midst of the Afro-Eurasia landmass, Turkey is a central country with multiple regional identities that cannot be reduced to one, unified category. In terms of its sphere of influence, Turkey is a Middle Eastern, Balkan, Caucasian, Central Asian, Caspian, Mediterranean, Gulf, and Black Sea country all at the same time. Turkey should appropriate a new position in its region by providing security and stability not only for itself but also for its neighbors and the region. Turkey’s engagements from Africa to Central Asia and from EU to OIC are parts of new foreign policy vision. Domestically, Turkey needs to deepen and enrich its democracy, accommodate the differences within its society, and strengthen the coordination and balance among its institutions in 2008 and the years that follow. These initiatives will make Turkey a global actor as we approach 2023, the one hundredth anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Republic.https://www.insightturkey.com/article/turkeys-foreign-policy-vision-an-assessment-of-2007https://www.insightturkey.com/article/turkeys-foreign-policy-vision-an-assessment-of-2007Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:18:53 GMTArticlesThis paper attempts to evaluate the forces behind the Turkish-Greek rapprochement, its prospects and its limitations. In the first part, through an analysis of the route from detente to rapprochement. the case for sustainable changes in the foreign policies of the two countries will be made from confrontation to cooperation. In the second part, the effect of Europeanization on the foreign policies of Greece and Turkey and on their bilateral disputes will be discussed, with a view to presenting the overall contribution of the EU to bilateral affairs in the way of opportunities offered and constraints set. Finally, in the third and fourth parts it is argued that obstacles to rapprochement still remain, particularly in the form of nationalism.https://www.insightturkey.com/article/europeanizatiaondn-nationalism-in-the-turkish-greek-rapprochementhttps://www.insightturkey.com/article/europeanizatiaondn-nationalism-in-the-turkish-greek-rapprochementFri, 21 Nov 2008 13:44:23 GMTArticlesThis article, based on a book published by SETA, looks at the attitudes of Turkish people towards what is conceived as the West and Western culture. While some polls suggest a deep anti-European and anti-American sentiment in Turkey with a dear opposition to Christianity as the religion of the West, the current survey suggests evidence to the contrary. Survey findings show that there is no anti- Westernism in Turkey based on religion, culture, or civilization. Perception of the West is fragmented and does not lend itself to easy categorizations. There is no animosity towards Christianity. In feet. Most participants use a respectful and even venerable language when talking about the Christian religion. While most participants do not feel comfortable with the invasion of Turkish society by western cultural products, they see no essential conflict between the core values of the two cultures. While the perception of Western religion, culture and civilization is mostly fragmented and reveals considerable diversity, Western politics is uniformlv perceived as negative and hostile.https://www.insightturkey.com/article/turkish-perceptions-of-the-westhttps://www.insightturkey.com/article/turkish-perceptions-of-the-westFri, 21 Nov 2008 13:51:56 GMTArticlesThis paper challenges the view that the AKP is an "Islamist Party" and "hardly a democratic opening." It puts forward the argument that the AKP's recent election victory represents a triumph over (1) inward-looking, anti-EU, ultra Turkish nationalism, (2) unwarranted military interference in politics, (3) selfish Kemalist desires to protect their own privileged position and (4) misguided secular fears of a secret Islamic agenda.https://www.insightturkey.com/article/discussing-recent-literature-on-turkish-politics-the-myth-within-the-mythhttps://www.insightturkey.com/article/discussing-recent-literature-on-turkish-politics-the-myth-within-the-mythFri, 21 Nov 2008 13:59:28 GMTArticlesThis article analyzes the identity dimension of EU-Turkey relations from the constructivist perspective in international relations theory. It contends that in EU-Turkey relations, European and Turkish identities are undergoing a continuous process of reconstruction and negotiation. In this process, Turkey's representational practices assume importance in reshaping European identity. In response to the arguments of those who oppose Turkey's EU membership on the identity ground this article claims that a constructivist perspective foresees the possibility that European and Turkish identities can be reconstructed in such a way as to make the justification of Turkish membership possible and desirable from an identity viewpoint.https://www.insightturkey.com/article/negotiating-europe-eu-turkey-relations-from-an-identity-perspectivehttps://www.insightturkey.com/article/negotiating-europe-eu-turkey-relations-from-an-identity-perspectiveSat, 22 Nov 2008 12:20:06 GMTBook ReviewsDuring the long years of the cold war, Turkey's foreign and security policies usually received little attention in the academic literature. Its confrontation with the USSR, and alliance with the west, appeared to have locked Turkey's options into fairly narrow limits, which left specialists in the field relatively little to write about which was not well known.https://www.insightturkey.com/book-reviews/contentious-issues-of-security-and-the-future-of-turkeyhttps://www.insightturkey.com/book-reviews/contentious-issues-of-security-and-the-future-of-turkeyFri, 21 Nov 2008 17:17:21 GMTBook ReviewsMedieval Islamic Political Thought examines political thought based on Islam within the indicated period, as well as the theoretical and practical background that contributed to its formation.https://www.insightturkey.com/book-reviews/medieval-islamic-political-thoughthttps://www.insightturkey.com/book-reviews/medieval-islamic-political-thoughtFri, 21 Nov 2008 17:37:41 GMTBook ReviewsThe establishment of a modern Turkey based on Western political values was a watershed in Turkey's history.https://www.insightturkey.com/book-reviews/religion-and-society-new-perspectives-from-turkeyhttps://www.insightturkey.com/book-reviews/religion-and-society-new-perspectives-from-turkeyFri, 21 Nov 2008 17:48:04 GMTBook ReviewsNobody has any doubts that today we are in one of the most critical moments of Turkish-U.S. relations. Nobody can deny the gravity of the situation and the severity of the problems that exist between the two countries.https://www.insightturkey.com/book-reviews/turkey-the-us-and-iraqhttps://www.insightturkey.com/book-reviews/turkey-the-us-and-iraqWed, 21 Nov 2018 17:01:55 GMTBook Reviews2007 was the 800th anniversary of the JaIalal al-Din al-Rumi.UNESCO designated 2007 as the Rurni year and a large number of activities were performed in commemoration of Rumi's birthday from Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan to Europe, Australia and the United States.https://www.insightturkey.com/book-reviews/saltanatin-dervisleri-dervislerin-saltanati-istanbulda-mevlevilik-the-dervishes-of-sovereigntyhttps://www.insightturkey.com/book-reviews/saltanatin-dervisleri-dervislerin-saltanati-istanbulda-mevlevilik-the-dervishes-of-sovereigntyFri, 21 Nov 2008 18:07:36 GMT