Turkish Foreign Policy towards Israel: A Neorealist Account
摘要
This chapter examines the evolution of Turkish foreign policy towards Israel. It describes the shift from a strategic alliance in the 1990s to the strained relations of the early twenty-first century. The analysis employs a neorealist framework to explore how the anarchic structure of the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean has influenced Turkey’s foreign policy vis-à-vis Israel. We argue that a power vacuum has emerged due to the hegemonic decline of the US. By utilizing offensive neorealist theory and concepts such as the balance of threat and relative gains, we explain Turkey’s pursuit of regional hegemony and its impact on bilateral relations with Israel. We draw on reports, official statements, and opinion pieces to assess Turkey’s stance on the Palestinian question and its reactions to Israel’s actions in the region.