The Iranian Association of International Studies International Relations Researches 2251-8444 11 3 2021 10 23 An analysis of the new turn of Turkish foreign policy towards the Middle East An analysis of the new turn of Turkish foreign policy towards the Middle East 225 252 145310 10.22034/irr.2022.291231.1989 FA Jaber Ghasemi Faculty member of Payame Noor University of Bushehr Amirali Madadi PhD in Political Science, Department of Political Science, Journal Article 2021 06 18 With the rise of the AKP to power in 2002, the country's foreign policy inevitably embarked on a new path based on the two doctrines of "zero tension with neighbors" and "strategic depth." But since 2012, in line with popular uprisings in the region and the Muslim world, Turkey has gradually shifted away from its former foreign policy in the Middle East, increasing its understanding of threats, competing with other regional powers, increasing its use of force, risky behavior, and Prioritizing the policy of unilateralism has been accompanied. This new approach has led to a strong focus on national security, efforts for greater strategic independence, and the militarization of foreign policy. Regarding this development, some researches have emphasized the expansionist approach of neo-Ottomanism, while others consider the Islamic Awakening and the subsequent developments as the cause of the turn of Turkey's foreign policy. Other research looks at the 2016 coup and the rivalry of political elites as the root of this change. The tense environment of society considers the redefinition of Turkey's role in the region and the transformation of power in the international system as the five main and influential components in changing the foreign policy of this country towards the Middle East region. Among the above components, the change in the balance of power at the international and regional levels and the increasing position of Erdoğan himself in the power structure have had the greatest impact on Turkey's Middle East policy. With the rise of the AKP to power in 2002, the country's foreign policy inevitably embarked on a new path based on the two doctrines of "zero tension with neighbors" and "strategic depth." But since 2012, in line with popular uprisings in the region and the Muslim world, Turkey has gradually shifted away from its former foreign policy in the Middle East, increasing its understanding of threats, competing with other regional powers, increasing its use of force, risky behavior, and Prioritizing the policy of unilateralism has been accompanied. This new approach has led to a strong focus on national security, efforts for greater strategic independence, and the militarization of foreign policy. Regarding this development, some researches have emphasized the expansionist approach of neo-Ottomanism, while others consider the Islamic Awakening and the subsequent developments as the cause of the turn of Turkey's foreign policy. Other research looks at the 2016 coup and the rivalry of political elites as the root of this change. The tense environment of society considers the redefinition of Turkey's role in the region and the transformation of power in the international system as the five main and influential components in changing the foreign policy of this country towards the Middle East region. Among the above components, the change in the balance of power at the international and regional levels and the increasing position of Erdoğan himself in the power structure have had the greatest impact on Turkey's Middle East policy. https://www.iisajournals.ir/article_145310_36346f8a2ce1a9b19faa1e2a7fd9964c.pdf