Turkish Foreign Policy and Ontological (In)Security: Historical Trajectories,Contemporary Dynamics,and Theoretical Reflections

Abstract

Since the foundation of the Republic in 1923, Turkish foreign policy has been shaped by not only material interests and geopolitical calculations but also by deeper existential anxieties surrounding national identity and recognition. This article explores Turkey’s foreign policy through the conceptual framework of ontological (in)security, particularly during the Justice and Development Party (AKP) era. Drawing upon historical trajectories, theoretical insights, and empirical case studies, the paper analyzes how identity-based insecurities influence Turkey’s international behavior. The article further discusses how Turkey’s ambivalent positioning between East and West, its evolving regional aspirations, and its self-claimed middle power status generate a unique ontological dynamic. The contributions to this special issue adopt a multidisciplinary lens to assess how these identity tensions have manifested in strategic decision-making, foreign policy rhetoric, and domestic–international linkages. Ultimately, the issue offers a comprehensive reflection on the existential underpinnings of contemporary Turkish foreign policy.