Insight Turkey / issues

Editor's Note | Fall 2012

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:07:00 GMT

The Syrian crisis is deepening. Pro-Assad forces have so far killed more than 30,000 Syrians; hundreds of thousands have fled to neighboring countries. The refugees settled in Turkey have exceeded 100,000, the threshold figure that Tur- key had already declared as its limit that it can provide services to.

The “Arab Spring” and the New Geo-Strategic Environment in the Middle East

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:29:00 GMT

Contrary to the evaluation of several political leaders and analysts, the new Islamic governments that have been elected in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya in the aftermath of the Arab Spring do not follow the zealous Islamic Iranian model. Rather, they tilt more to the Turkish Islamic democratic system. Significantly, the new Muslim Brothers’ regime under president Morsi in Egypt has adopted a balanced realistic policy in domestic, regional and international affairs. While giving Shi’i Iran a cold shoulder, Morsi is inclined to play a leading role in a new regional Sunni-Muslim coalition with Saudi Arabia and Gulf Emirates, and Turkey, the major Sunni Muslim power. Although the would-be Ankara-Cairo new axis will be cautious not to alienate Tehran, it will probably make efforts to contain Iran’s attempts to create a Shi’i crescent in the region to control the oil resources in the Gulf. Turkey and Egypt will try to reduce Iran’s advances in Iraq and Syria by fostering their Sunni Muslim communities and helping the Syrian Muslims to topple the Alawi regime. Finally the Ankara-Cairo strategic axis, backed by most Sunni-Muslim regimes and in coordination with Obama’s new administration, is likely to induce Israel to settle the Palestinian issue.

Was Huntington Right? Revisiting the Clash of Civilizations

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:14:00 GMT

This essay is an attempt to revisit Samuel Huntington’s controversial thesis about a clash of civilizations. Though the author has been an early critique of Huntington, he finds substantial evidence that corroborates Huntington’s central thesis when he analyzes the American policy toward the Middle East through the prism of the clash of civilizations paradigm. He suggests that the pattern of double standards that are witnessed in American foreign policy toward the Middle East is an integral part of a world where supposedly immutable differences based on civilizations form the primary source of conflict. In order to support his argument the author draws on examples from several cases, such as the American policies toward the Israel-Palestine issue, America’s position on Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, American reaction to the Israeli raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, as well as Turkey’s long-standing candidacy for membership in the European Union. In all, he finds startling double standards that fit Huntington’s paradigm, for as he pointed out double standards are an integral part of a mindset that sees conflict in terms of clashing civilizations.

The Pessoptimist’s Arab Revolution: A Mismatch Between Social Evolution and Political Revolution

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:41:00 GMT

The article argues that of the three structural problems of the Arab world, as enumerated in the UNDP Arab Human Development report, freedom, knowledge, and women’s power deficit, the Arab Awakening has only tackled the first one, and with mixed results. The speed of social change has not matched that of political change. Firstly, the authoritarian model of government is still replicated in the society, especially in state sector institutions. Secondly, the notion of citizenship has not been sufficiently developed and the role of intellectuals in the Awakening has been less than expected. Thirdly, the social and political changes may both be slowed down or even reversed if the economic grievances of the Arab world persist. Lastly the article shows how ambiguous and multi-faceted the US’s and the EU’s reaction has been to the Arab Awakening.

Plural Islamism in Plural Modernities

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:50:00 GMT

This article examines the trajectory of Islamism as a modern phenomenon. It demonstrates that, having evolved under the influence of myriad political, intellectual and historical developments of the past two hundred years, the concept is still surrounded by various debates, movements, acts of violence, ideologies, policies and positions. Islamism also continues to be a significant element in Turkey’s political and intellectual life as well. The article then engages several critical questions. Has Islamism reached its end? Is a new type of Islamism emerging? Is post-Islamism on the horizon. In response, the article argues that Islamism’s diversification –as opposed to its end– leads the movement to survive as pluralities that result from structural changes stemming from global and plural modernities’ interaction with societies. In line with social and political organizations’ pursuit of violence, poverty, challenge, reconciliation and alliance, Islamism too is being plurally reconstructed.

Imperial Legacies and Neo-Ottomanism

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:18:00 GMT

This article examines whether the presence of imperial legacies in Central and South-eastern Europe affects their foreign policy stances and public opinion towards Turkish accession to the EU. It first discusses the boundaries of the ideational factors affecting the perception of Turkey, namely the historical legacy of the Ottoman Empire as a European power in Eastern Europe. Secondly, it looks at the ideational factors in how Turkish foreign policy, more specifically Turkey’s EU membership, is perceived by Eastern and South-eastern European political elite and public. The author finds that in places where the Ottoman Empire is perceived in more historically distant terms, the more positive or neutral views are of Turkish membership. It concludes with a juxtaposition of Eastern European stances with Turkey’s new foreign policy strategies. It recommends that Turkish foreign policy should not neglect advocacy in the western part of the old Ottoman sphere of influence where new EU members lie. These may indeed by transformed into new allies to support Turkey’s bid against the opponents among older EU members.

Turkey’s Kurdish Conflict: Pathways to Progress

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:07:00 GMT

This paper discusses the Kurdish conflict in Turkey, within the context of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. What progress has been made since the election of the ruling AK Party and the creation of a Democratic Opening in Turkey? What remains to be done for a long-lasting solution to the conflict to occur? In examining the various factors at play in the conflict, the reasons for the failure to achieve a long-term solution, despite opportunities presenting themselves, are considered. It is argued that the “classic approach” to the conflict that has been consistently applied by successive Turkish administrations has not been successful, and alternative approaches are suggested. While a number of obstacles stand in the way of progress, it is possible to overcome these, if a political solution is applied to this political problem. Addressing the conflict by military means will not lead to a sustainable resolution and non-violent, democratic means of resolution must therefore be found in order to pave the way for long-lasting peace in Turkey.

Turkish-Saudi Arabian Relations During the Arab Uprisings: Towards a Strategic Partnership?

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:40:00 GMT

This article analyzes the development of Turkish-Saudi Arabian relations from the beginning of the struggle of the al-Saud family to gain power in the Arab peninsula to today. As a result of negative perceptions from both sides, bilateral relations were distant for decades. However, Turkish-Saudi relations began to improve remarkably under the AK Party and King Abdullah governments and a rapprochement started in 2005. Many agreements were signed during visits by political leaders from both sides. After the Arab uprisings began at the end of 2010, both countries took their cooperation further. As the two countries least influenced by the uprisings, Turkey and the Saudi Kingdom have been supporting the newly emerging political elites (Islamic groups) in Egypt, Libya and Syria; they have been maintaining close relations with the Western countries; and they have been trying to preserve regional stability and balance against Iran and its allies. However, there are some differences in their regional policies, such as their perceptions on the pace and scope of changes.

An Alternative to the “Turkish Model” for the Emerging Arab Democracies

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:24:00 GMT

The political and economic success of Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) has generated extensive discussion about the extent to which Turkey provides a model for other Muslim, especially Arab, countries. The notion of a Turkish model has received intense focus since the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region began in 2010. Amid the excitement, more cautious voices have highlighted fundamental differences in historical and political experiences and relations with Islam between Turkey and the Arab countries. Considering these factors, this article contends that rather than Turkey’s AKP, a more accurate comparison and potentially viable model for the emerging Arab democracies can be found among the Islamic-oriented political parties of South East Asia, which advocate an approach to Islam based on the maqasid, or higher objectives. This article examines the appeal of the maqasid approach in respect to its utility for maintaining Islamic legitimacy and transitioning from ideology-oriented to policy-oriented parties and thereby responding to the needs and aspirations of broad constituencies. This article discusses the function of the maqasid for Islamic political parties in the MENA region as it undergoes political liberalization in the aftermath of the Arab uprisings.

On Islamism: Its Roots, Development and Future

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:41:00 GMT

This article examines Islamism in its historical trajectory as well as its current standing and likely evolution. After pointing out to the problems stemming from the lack of an agreed-upon definition, the article presents a definition that constitutes the basis of analysis. It identifies three generations of Islamists and evaluates them by using three criteria: the framework of reference, political theme-tendency, and leadership profile. The article presents a self-criticism of the second generation Islamists, of which the author is also a member, and identifies areas in which the third generation Islamists have faced a serious test. The paper then turns to discuss the experience of the AK Party in Turkey, focusing on the debate on whether it is an Islamist movement. Next, the article seeks to drive an analytical distinction between Islamism and theology, before concluding the analysis with a critical engagement of an ongoing debate on whether Islamism is dead.

The Birth and Death of Islamism

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:05:00 GMT

What happens when an ideological movement whose raison d’être is to challenge the existing political system and government structure, and one that gains its identity and character from criticizing power, takes control of the government? Turkey no longer has a noteworthy Islamist project. We must place this vanishing, or death, at the end of the story, a story that begins with its birth. When Muslims are able to express themselves through democratic means, they move away not only from violence, but also from an ideological Islamic interpretation. The death of Islamism in Turkey can therefore be explained by the wide-open channels of democracy. In such a free and democratic setting, there is no environment for Islamism to survive, especially when it is fit into a different mold through the support of the government.

Turkish-Iranian Relations: From “Friends with Benefits” to “It’s Complicated”

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:55:00 GMT

A few years after Turkey and Iran appeared to be growing closer, the pendulum has swung back and the two sides are increasingly at odds. The turmoil in Syria has brought the long-term competition between Ankara and Tehran for regional influence to the fore. Iran has doubled down on its wager that the current regime in Damascus can weather the storm, while Turkey is betting that a post-Assad Syria would be more closely aligned with its own regional interests. But despite significant differences and growing antagonism, over Syria and more broadly, Turkey and Iran still have substantial reasons to cooperate. These include mutual interests in dealing with restive Kurdish populations and robust trade, particularly Turkey’s reliance on Iranian oil and gas. History suggests that Ankara and Damascus will find ways to manage tensions, so the rivalry for regional influence is more likely to simmer than boil over into outright conflict. The Turkish-Iranian relationship will continue to resist simplistic caricatures.

The EU’s Security Policy Towards Africa: Causes, Rationales and Dynamics

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:30:00 GMT

This article explores the causes and dynamics impacting the development of the EU`s security policy on Africa. The changing global structure in Africa has influenced the EU’s foreign and security policy in Africa. The new global actors, such as China, India, Brazil, and Turkey have recently consolidated their political and economic relations with both African states and organisations with an impact on the EU’s approach to the continent. At the same time, the new challenges, like international terrorism and immigration, also left their mark on the EU’s policy in Africa. This article argues that the EU members’ economic interests have played a central role in developing the EU’s security policy towards Africa. Meanwhile, the new global threats and challenges and the emergence of new actors in Africa have also had an impact on the formulation and implementation of the EU’s security policy in Africa.

Hoca: Türk Dış Politikasında Davutoğlu Etkisi

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:23:00 GMT

In recent years, not only have the changes in Turkish foreign policy been discussed but also the key factors and actors behind the change. This book deals with both the professional and academic life of the foreign minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoğlu, and provides information on him and on developments in Turkish foreign policy.

Converging Europe: The Transformation of Social Policy in the Enlarged European Union and in Turkey

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:11:00 GMT

Is Europe converging in terms of policy development? How has the global financial crisis affected this and policy development in Europe more generally? What policy differences exist between European Union (EU) member states and other European countries?

US Presidents and Foreign Policy Mistakes

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:20:00 GMT

Socrates’ pupil Chaerephon once asked an oracle “who is the wisest of all men?” The oracle responded that Socrates is the wisest of all because of his self-awareness. According to philosophers from Socrates to Montaigne, Spinoza, Kant, true wisdom and full knowledge may be a utopian fantasy.

The Shift: Israel-Palestine from Border Struggle to Ethnic Conflict

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:58:00 GMT

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains one of the most intractable, globally sensitive and over-studied of national disputes. The past few decades have witnessed a deluge of scholarly and polemic writing covering the history, nature, and causes of the violence, as well as those exploring future obstacles to peace.

The Arab Revolution: Ten Lessons from the Democratic Uprising

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:27:00 GMT

The Arab world has been making a new history since January 2011 when the uprisings against President Ben Ali resulted in his fleeing from Tunisia. Throughout 2011, the decades-old rule of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and Moammar Qaddafi in Libya ended.

The Contradictions of Israeli Citizenship: Land, Religion and State

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:02:00 GMT

One might be forgiven for presuming that a new book called The Contradictions of Israeli Citizenship would present innovative insights about the place of Palestinian Israelis—and their stateless West Bank-dwelling brethren—in modern Israeli society.

Gender and Society in Turkey: The Impacts of Neoliberal Policies, Political Islam and EU Accession

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:16:00 GMT

Women have been both the subjects and objects of Turkish modernization for a long time. They have always been at the forefront of burning questions in Turkey, either with the decades-old debate of wearing headscarves in public institutions, or, lately, with Erdoğan’s agenda-setting remarks that women need to give birth to at least three children or abortion will be constrained.

The Oil Curse: How Petroleum Wealth Shapes the Development of Nations

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:11:00 GMT

One may argue three law-like generalizations in political science: “no bourgeois, no democracy,” “democracies do not go to war with each other,” and “natural resources are a curse.” Although each of these highly contested arguments is important, the last one has the broadest impact—the negative effects of oil, natural gas, and mineral production go beyond authoritarianism and have economic, military, and societal consequences.

Atatürk: An Intellectual Biography

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:19:00 GMT

This work by M. Şükrü Hanioğlu somewhat represents a departure from previous work on the subject in that it seeks to distance Atatürk from the greatman theories that have plagued his legacy. In doing so, Hanioğlu evaluates the development of Atatürk’s political views in terms of both the international and domestic contexts of the late Ottoman Empire.

Turkmenistan: Strategies of Power, Dilemmas of Development

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:31:00 GMT

There are few regions more unknown and caricatured than Central Asia, and within it perhaps no country is less understood than Turkmenistan. Central Asia is oil, caravanserais, the Great Game, and the Silk Road; in the popular imagination, Turkmenistan’s only distinguishing feature is its reputation as a “Stalinist Disneyland” with revolving statues, Gaddafiesque Books of Wisdom, and empty cities of marble. The people are absent.

The State of Islam: Culture and Cold War Politics in Pakistan

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:07:00 GMT

One of Toor’s central theses is that within and outside the context of Pakistan’s history and politics, Islam is far from being a monolith. For Toor, Islam as a set of religio-political entities has been and continues to be invested with different meanings and associations by different actors who have enormously different goals.

Global Perspectives on Global History: Theories and Approaches in a Connected World

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:16:00 GMT

What is global history? How does one study it? These are the main questions Dominic Sachsenmaier wants to answer. “It depends” seems to be his answer. Essentially, he argues against a single definition, rationale, and method for global history and shows the presence of multiple and equally valid global, historical perspectives. Debates in the United States, Germany, and China on global history all exemplify this variation.