Turkish Policy Tools in the Middle East (A Study of Soft Power and Hard Power)

Abstract

In order to achieve its goals, Turkey used many tools in its policies, and one of the most important of these tools was soft power, which it adopted after the Justice and Development Party came to power in 2002. Turkish soft power was embodied in both its political system based on the principles of transparency and democracy, which represented a model that is viewed by the countries of the region, and its influence externally, especially in the diverse diplomatic level it exercised, in addition to the humanitarian aid and the bright image and influence it gives to Turkey, in addition to its media and cultural influence on the countries of the Middle East region. After several transformations and circumstances occurred, including the so-called Arab revolutions, the Arab Spring revolutions and their aftermath, Turkey turned to the use of hard power, after having maintained it for years, and this was embodied in many forms, including: its intervention in the Syrian issue, and in the Libyan war, as well as in its presence. Military in northern Iraq, and its role in the Qatari crisis, not to mention the growth of its military industries