Turkish Elites and Military Interventions: New Research Offers Unique Insight into Türkiye’s Foreign Policy
Political scientist Birsen Erdogan provides an answer to the question of how a country like Türkiye determines its stance on international military interventions. She investigated how the Turkish political elite talks about foreign missions, such as the interventions in Libya and Syria, as well as participation in UN peacekeeping operations.
Erdogan shows that political beliefs and national identities are not fixed, but shift over time and with changing geopolitical contexts. “The way leaders justify or criticize military actions strongly depends on how they frame identity, security, and international relations,” Erdogan explains.
Using Poststructuralist Discourse Theory (PSDT), Erdogan analyzed how the Turkish elite discusses these interventions. She examined how language and rhetoric are used to shape and legitimize foreign policy. Her research demonstrates that Türkiye’s foreign policy is not solely based on strategic interests, but also on narratives and ideas about national identity and the country’s desired role in the world.
Erdogan’s dissertation contributes to critical studies on foreign policy, security, and international relations. It also offers a fresh perspective on populism and nationalism within the Turkish context. She further emphasizes the importance of future research into how media, civil society, and other emerging powers address similar issues.
More information on the thesis