{"id":38198,"date":"2011-07-29T12:28:48","date_gmt":"2011-07-29T09:28:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.turkishforum.com.tr\/en\/content\/?p=38198"},"modified":"2023-07-26T12:02:18","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T09:02:18","slug":"islam-and-foreign-policy-making-in-turkey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/2011\/07\/29\/islam-and-foreign-policy-making-in-turkey\/","title":{"rendered":"Islam and foreign policy making in Turkey"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Islam and foreign policy making in Turkey<\/h2>\n<div id=\"stats\">Written by <span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?author=970\">Harriet Fildes<\/span> on July 26, 2011 \u2013 12:01<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>The relationship between Islam and foreign policy has become  increasingly important since the Iranian revolution and reached new  level of analysis post 9\/11. Western scholars now seek to understand the  influential role religion plays in Islamic states, and are particularly  interested in what has been termed \u2018political Islam\u2019 or the  Islamization<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn1\">[1]<\/span>.  Theories expressed by scholars such as Huntington have encouraged  Orientalist and \u2018othering\u2019 assumptions which conclude that Islam is  fundamentally incompatible with democracy leading to the importance of  religion being overlooked<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn2\">[2]<\/span>. Turkey is perceived to be a \u2018bridge\u2019 between the \u2018civilized\u2019 West and the religious Middle East or a \u2018torn\u2019 country<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn3\">[3]<\/span>. Yet, such theories overlook the complex multiple and entangled modernity visible in Turkey\u2019s functioning \u2018Muslim Democracy<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn4\">[4]<\/span>\u2019  where coexistence rather than domination of Islamic values and  Westernization is possible and happening. This historical tradition of  commitment to both modernization and Westernization has been a  consistent political feature of Turkey since the fall of the Ottoman  Empire.<\/p>\n<p>To assess the whether or not a causal relationship between Islam and  foreign policy exists I will first critically analyse Turkey\u2019s  historical identity within the context of modernity, then going on to  examine the impact Islamism has had upon the AKP\u2019s relations with the  West, specifically focusing on the issue of EU membership and historical  relations with the USA which are reflective of Turkey\u2019s inherent  connection to the West. This analysis will eventually lead to a  comprehensive study of Turkey\u2019s role in regional politics, examining  their pragmatic development of relations with other Middle Eastern  countries based upon securitization. Concluding that the AKP\u2019s foreign  policy has always been based upon pragmatism and negotiating its role as  an important regional player which has resulted, not in the development  of political Islam but in the emergence of Turkey as an important  global actor, showing that recent claims and traditional understandings  of the Justice and Development Party\u2019s foreign policy as somehow  Islamized are simplistic and derive from misleading theories and  political propaganda.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Identity and modernity in Turkey<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To understand fully the implications of Islam for Turkish foreign  policy it is crucial to first understand the identity of Turkey as a  modern nation state. By overtly focussing on how ideologies impact upon  foreign policy we miss the crucial political and economic reasoning  behind Turkish foreign policy decisions. These misconceptions lead us to  understanding Turkish foreign policy as driven by religion or  neo-Ottomanism and refuse to take into account the importance of the  countries sociological context and geostrategic position as a driving  force behind active foreign policy in the region. Turkish foreign policy  has always been analysed by incorporating it into an ideological  debate, assessing the clash between eastern and western identities<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn5\">[5]<\/span>.  However, Turkey is not subject to a torn identity, this is a Western  perception based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the basis of  Turkish secularism or laiklik. While we understand secularism as the  complete separation of religion and state, this is political myth making  and it is arguable that the Kemalists understood the impossibility of  this task and as such placed Islam within full control of the state<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn6\">[6]<\/span>.  Fears in the West of Islamic revivalism stem from a popular belief in  the Kemalist \u2018smoke screen of a complete secular revolution.\u2019<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn7\">[7]<\/span> The AKP have not shown themselves to have an overt Islamic agenda, nor  have they show any will to introduce Shariah law into the country or  implement hudud laws, and as such we can conclude that within Turkeys  reflexive Muslim society we can see the complex interdependency between  secularism and democracy, not a clash of Islam and Westernization. The  AKP has arguably adopted a maqasid orientated approach towards both  domestic and foreign policy making, although it does not publicly  recognize this due to the constitutional constraints of secularism.  Maqasid is an Islamic notion which concentrates on the higher goals and  values of the religion based on a liberal reading of the Quran rather  than a literal one, these values are based around notions of justice,  accountability, transparency, economic reform and human rights issues<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn8\">[8]<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Does the AKP have an Islamist agenda?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>One of the key questions which needs to be assessed in order to  analyse the causal relationship between Islam and foreign policy in  Turkey is whether or not the core tenants of Turkey\u2019s foreign policy are  shifting towards a more Islamic or Middle Eastern orientation. The AKP  have shown no ambitions towards challenging either Turkey\u2019s pro-Western  policies or towards withdrawing their EU membership proposal, which as  Islamists they were expected to. They have emphasized their western  values through advocacy of EU membership, democracy, human rights  discourse and globalization<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn9\">[9]<\/span>.  Turkey\u2019s new foreign policy outlook is pro-active in diplomacy,  particularly in the Middle East, which is complemented by their \u2018zero  problems with neighbours\u2019<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn10\">[10]<\/span> attitude. This is based upon Turkey\u2019s geostrategic and demographic  situation and improved relations with Middle Eastern countries,  reflecting its commitment to peace in the Middle East and its ethnic  diversity, not a commitment to Islamic universalism. As a democracy,  Turkey is held accountable by public demands to secure peace and  security in communities which have a high representation in the country,  such as Bosnia, Kosovo and Chechnya. In this respect foreign policy is  determined by democracy which embodies the issues and societal concerns  of the general public. There has been a perceived change in policy  towards EU membership which can be said to be a result, not of  Islamization, but of disappointment with European policies and a  lessening in public support. Although this change is not in line with  the Kemalist vision, it is not a result of Islam controlling the state;  rather, it is a rational response to the European approach to Turkey<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn11\">[11]<\/span>.  Nevertheless, the modernization and Westernization policies laid down  by Ataturk will continue, which means that plans to join the EU,  Turkey\u2019s most important trading partner, will not be scrapped in favour  of Islamization of the state. The AKP maintains a moderate path and does  not allow Islamist tendencies to influence foreign policy but does  allow for some changes to be made on the restrictive secularism imposed  on the Islamic community, in terms of the removal of the headscarf ban,  allowing the community to express more of their religiosity than  previously allowed by law<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn12\">[12]<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Foreign policy and the US<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Although in recent years Turkey\u2019s expansionist and active foreign  policy in the Middle East, the Balkans and Africa has posed a threat to  the US, bilateral relations between the two have generally been  positive. As a member of NATO, the Council of Europe and long standing  ally of the US during the Cold War and the ongoing conflict in  Afghanistan, diplomatic ties between the two countries are strong<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn13\">[13]<\/span>.  The Turkish Ministry of Affairs confirms this close relationship by  confirming that the two countries have shared values and beliefs in  democracy, law, liberal market forces and human rights<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn14\">[14]<\/span>.  Nevertheless, recent developments of stronger economic and diplomatic  ties with Iran and Iraq have made the US uncomfortable. Concerns over  Muslim solidarity have been exacerbated by AKP\u2019s \u2018zero-problems with  neighbours<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn15\">[15]<\/span>\u2019  policy which has made it clear that relations with the West are to  develop alongside relations with the East. Turkey is of key strategic  interest to the US as it serves as a buffer or energy corridor between  East and West and is crucial to reforming the regional security  environment.<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn16\">[16]<\/span> Relations between the two countries have been tested over the years,  for example; when Turkey rebuffed US plans to overthrow Saddam Hussein,  largely due to their fear of the establishment of an independent Kurdish  state in the region or when the US criticized the Turkish intervention  in Cyprus. This once again shows that the role of religion within  foreign policy has minimal influence compared to the role of  securitization and strategic thinking within the framework of a realist  state-system. Turkeys reaction to the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 was  also controversial; they were criticized for Islamic unification and  separating themselves from the West which led to a degradation in US  relations with Turkey. However, Turkey\u2019s new policy of engagement in  regional diplomacy stems from the idea of regional interdependence<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn17\">[17]<\/span>.  By improving cooperation with these countries, in terms of economic  relations, trade and diplomacy Turkey has improved its security  environment. As aforementioned, this policy initially caused tensions in  the West however the significance of Turkey as a regional mediator has  only become more apparent in recent years.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Securitization and pragmatism<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>These new active policies in the Middle East derive from strategic  interests in re-exporting the stability Turkey earned from the EU  process and reaffirming its role as an important regional player.  Although Turkey\u2019s presence can be felt in almost all parts of the Middle  Eastern region, this is reflective of their role as a mediator in the  Arab world. Turkey\u2019s foreign policy has often coincided with US and EU  interests, complimenting them instead of causing conflict, this can be  seen when on October 10<sup>th<\/sup> 2009, Turkey signed historic accords with Armenia, putting an end to the conflict and normalising relations<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn18\">[18]<\/span>.  Turkey\u2019s relations with Syria also exemplify this as the strategic  agreement between the two has encouraged Syria to enter peace  discussions and established normalized relations between them and the  US. Turkey\u2019s unique political, geo-economic and geostrategic position  has enabled it to form alliances\u2019 and to hold the unique position of  negotiator in the region. This serves to better Turkey\u2019s own security  position and also helps serve European and American interests in the  region. Turkey\u2019s new and assertive foreign policy does not need to be  interpreted as a move away from Western civilization back to its  historical identity as Huntington hypothesized; it can be seen as a  pragmatic approach to representing Turkey as the credible strategic  partner to the West that it is, enhancing and normalizing EU relations  instead of undermining them. Turkey\u2019s relations with Israel are  demonstrative of this as during Israeli incursions into Palestine,  Turkey signed a military cooperation agreement and have been strategic  allies since 1995, emphasizing Turkey\u2019s political differences from  Muslim countries in the region. Turkey\u2019s diplomatic ties with Israel had  improved dramatically until recently, with trade doubling between 2002  and 2008<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn19\">[19]<\/span>.  As the first Muslim country to recognize Israel in 1949 they have  engaged in diplomatic discussions with Hamas representative Mashal in an  attempt to put an end to the violence<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn20\">[20]<\/span>.  Turkey also operated as a mediator between Syria and Israel until  recently however Turkey\u2019s foreign policy towards Israel has changed  dramatically since the flotilla incident in 2010<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn21\">[21]<\/span>.  This has exacerbated concerns in the US that Turkeys commitment to  Islamic principles of independence and justice have been internalized by  AKP, an idea confirmed by H.Kansu, founding member on AKP when he  stated that \u2018Israel should leave all these lands and Palestine must be  an independent state<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn22\">[22]<\/span>.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I believe that recent changes to Turkish foreign policy reflects a  pragmatic shift in discourse and a desire to combat regional  difficulties not through military confrontation but through an increased  use in diplomatic dialogue, engagements and use of soft power. The use  of this power is determined by its geopolitical position within a  historical context and by issues of identity and cultural associations<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn23\">[23]<\/span>.  Turkey\u2019s geopolitical situation is of particular importance as it can  be perceived to be a crossroads in terms of global energy issues and  security concerns which compel Turkey to behave as an active player in  the region. Turkey\u2019s economic realities are also of importance as it has  the 17<sup>th<\/sup> strongest economy in the world and the 6<sup>th<\/sup> largest in Europe it needs to assess and combat security threats in the region in order to attract investments<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn24\">[24]<\/span>.  Turkey\u2019s relentless focus on Middle Eastern issues has been presented  to the West as a security concern; however, this criticism is misleading  as Turkey has been involved in issues all over the world, from the  Balkans to central-Asia and the focus placed on Middle Eastern nations  is simply reflective of the pivotal role played by these countries in  Turkey\u2019s security environment and Turkey\u2019s policy of engagement. As  aforementioned, the change in foreign policy towards these countries  which has taken place since AKP came to power has caused considerable  tension in the West over Turkey\u2019s future as the only secular democracy  in a predominantly Muslim country. AKP\u2019s lenient treatment of the  Sudan\u2019s Oman al-Bashir and the developing relationship between Turkey  and Iran has been a source of worry and embarrassment to the West,  particularly when Turkey voted alongside Brazil, against tighter  sanctions on Iran whilst a temporary member of the UNSC<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn25\">[25]<\/span>.  Which, once again is not reflective of their Islamic nature, rather, it  shows that \u2018In this case, Turkey preferred negotiations instead of the  sanctions<span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftn26\">[26]<\/span>\u2019.  Concerns that Turkey is acting upon Muslim have arisen due to the  Islamaphobic lens in which the West perceives the East. Nevertheless,  although certain policies put forward by AKP have made the US and the EU  uncomfortable, Turkey is more economically stable, democratic and  pragmatic in foreign policy making than any government before them.  AKP\u2019s religious leadings can be said to be limited by their economic,  institutional and strategic ties with the West, therefore they are  subject to international opinion.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bibliography<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>H. 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Thomas, \u2018Taking Religious and Cultural Pluralism  Seriously: The Global Resurgence of Religion and the Transformation of  International Society\u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> <\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Online resources<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2018Dialogues on civilizations\u2019 ) Date accessed:18\/11\/10<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>H. 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Ommar, \u2018Turkey\u2019s New Vision (Special Report for Al\u2019Jazeera, 2010)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The Economist: \u2018Turkey and the West,\u2019 https:\/\/www.economist.com\/europe\/2009\/12\/03\/testy-erdogan?story_id=15019880) Date accessed: 08\/11\/10<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Middle East Institute,  )  Date accessed: 12\/11\/10<\/em><\/p>\n<div>\n<hr size=\"1\" \/>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref1\">[1]<\/span> Scott M. Thomas, \u2018Taking Religious and Cultural Pluralism Seriously: The  Global Resurgence of Religion and the Transformation of International  Society\u2019 p.814<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref2\">[2]<\/span> Dieter Senghaas, \u2018The clash within civilizations: coming to terms with cultural conflicts\u2019 (Routledge, 2002) p.xi<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref3\">[3]<\/span> Samuel P. Huntington, \u2018The Clash of Civilizations?\u2019,\u00a0<em>Foreign Affairs: The Clash of Civilizations?; The Debate<\/em>, (W.W.Norton, 1996)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref4\">[4]<\/span> Rabasa and Larrabee , \u2018The rise of political Islam in Turkey\u2019 (RAND cooperation, 2008)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref5\">[5]<\/span> \u2018Dialogues on civilizations\u2019 ) Date accessed:18\/11\/10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref6\">[6]<\/span> H.  Rane \u2018The Changing Landscape of Political Islam and U.S. Foreign Policy  in the Obama Era\u2019  )  Date accessed: 09\/11\/10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref7\">[7]<\/span> Jung and piccolo, \u2018Turkey at the crossroads\u2019(Palgrave 2001)\u00a0 p.119<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref8\">[8]<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref9\">[9]<\/span> A.Gol, \u2018The Identity of Turkey: Muslim and secular\u2019 (Routledge, 2009) p.799<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref10\">[10]<\/span> Hale and Ozbudun, \u2018\u2019Islamism, democracy and liberalism in Turkey: the case of the AKP\u2019 (Routledge, 2010) p.139<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref11\">[11]<\/span> H. Arikan, \u2018Turkey and the UE: an awkward candidate for EU membership?\u2019 (Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2006) p.69<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref12\">[12]<\/span> Keyman, \u2018Remaking Turkey: globalization, alternative modernities, and democracy.\u2019 (Lexington books, 2007) p.190<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref13\">[13]<\/span> Jung and Piccoli, \u2018Turkey at the crossroads, Ottoman legacies and a greater Middle East,\u2019 (Palgrave, 2001) p<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref14\">[14]<\/span> Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,  (www.mfa.gov.tr\/turkish-u_s_-political-relations.en.mfa) Date  accessed:09\/11\/10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref15\">[15]<\/span> Turkish policy quarterly,  )  Date accessed: 11\/11\/10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref16\">[16]<\/span> Rabasa and Larrabee , \u2018The rise of political Islam in Turkey\u2019 (RAND cooperation, 2008)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref17\">[17]<\/span> AlJazeera: Inside Story- Turkey\u2019s stand, (http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=WF9U1l_Cfew) Date accessed: 09\/11\/10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref18\">[18]<\/span> Kalin, \u2018Turkish foreign policy between ideology and realpolitik, (Middle  East Institute, 2009)  http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0AAqNZxF43o&amp;NR=1, Date accessed:  12\/11\/10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref19\">[19]<\/span> A.Gol, \u2018The Identity of Turkey: Muslim and secular\u2019 (Routledge, 2009) p.799<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref20\">[20]<\/span> G. Burris, The Middle East Quarterly, \u2018Turkey-Israel: Speed Bumps\u2019   Date accessed:  11\/11\/10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref21\">[21]<\/span> Rabasa and Larrabee , \u2018The rise of political Islam in Turkey\u2019 (RAND cooperation, 2008)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref22\">[22]<\/span> Rabasa and Larrabee , \u2018The rise of political Islam in Turkey\u2019 (RAND cooperation, 2008)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref23\">[23]<\/span> A.Gol, \u2018The Identity of Turkey: Muslim and secular\u2019 (Routledge, 2009) p.799<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref24\">[24]<\/span> R. Ommar, \u2018Turkey\u2019s New Vision (Special Report for Al\u2019Jazeera, 2010)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref25\">[25]<\/span> The Economist: \u2018Turkey and the West,\u2019 https:\/\/www.economist.com\/europe\/2009\/12\/03\/testy-erdogan?story_id=15019880) Date accessed: 08\/11\/10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"http:\/\/www.e-ir.info\/?p=11045#_ftnref26\">[26]<\/span> Middle East Institute,  )  Date accessed: 12\/11\/10<\/p>\n<p><em>\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Written by: Harriet Fildes <\/em><br \/>\n<em>Written at: Aberystwyth University <\/em><br \/>\n<em>Written for: Dr Ayla Gol <\/em><br \/>\n<em>Date written: November 15, 2010<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Islam and foreign policy making in Turkey Written by Harriet Fildes on July 26, 2011 \u2013 12:01 The relationship between Islam and foreign policy has become increasingly important since the Iranian revolution and reached new level of analysis post 9\/11. Western scholars now seek to understand the influential role religion plays in Islamic states, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":26172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38198","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-turkey"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38198"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38198\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38198"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38198"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}