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Turkey in MENA, MENA in Turkey: reasons for popularity, limits of influence
[working paper]
Corporate Editor
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik -SWP- Deutsches Institut für Internationale Politik und Sicherheit
Abstract Turkey's popularity in the MENA region has increased since the AKP's rise to power in 2002. People-to-people contacts, economic progress, and a perceived European lifestyle have contributed to Turkey's popularity in the MENA region. Turkey's seemingly competitive political system and strong particip... view more
Turkey's popularity in the MENA region has increased since the AKP's rise to power in 2002. People-to-people contacts, economic progress, and a perceived European lifestyle have contributed to Turkey's popularity in the MENA region. Turkey's seemingly competitive political system and strong participation in elections are sources of appreciation. However, the meanings attributed to the Turkish political system have changed over time. Ankara's confrontational rhetoric on the perceived double standards of Western states and its calls for reform of the international system are welcomed. Turkey's increased popularity does not easily translate into broad regional influence. Ankara's credibility has deteriorated in the eyes of the region's elites. Its support of Sunni Islamists in the of the Arab uprisings antagonised the region's autocratic elites, ushering in a period of isolation between 2013 and 2020. Turkey's recent efforts to reintegrate in the region have thawed relations with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, but incurred reputational costs vis-à-vis Sunni Islamists. Authoritarian practices and rising xenophobia against Syrian refugees and other Arab citizens also constrain Turkey's influence in the region. (author's abstract)... view less
Keywords
Turkey; international relations; foreign policy; Middle East; North Africa; political influence; transnational relations; Western world; political system; credibility; Islam
Classification
International Relations, International Politics, Foreign Affairs, Development Policy
Free Keywords
Auslandsbild; Perzeption; Popularität; Einflusssphäre; Politischer Islam; Ägypten; Saudi-Arabien; Vereinigte Arabische Emirate; Autoritäre Herrschaft; Fremdenfeindlichkeit; Flüchtlinge; Syrer; Rüstungsindustrie; Demokratieförderung; Hegemoniebestrebungen von Staaten; Palästinaproblem; Islamfeindlichkeit; Antikolonialismus; Internationale Ordnung; Israel-Hamas-Krieg
Document language
English
Publication Year
2024
City
Berlin
Page/Pages
31 p.
Series
SWP Research Paper, 3/2024
DOI
https://doi.org/10.18449/2024RP03
ISSN
1863-1053
Status
Published Version; reviewed
Licence
Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications