Turkey between the United States and Russia: Surfing on the Edge

The purchase of S-400 air defense systems from Russia by Turkey has strained relations with the US and challenged Turkey's membership in NATO. This book argues that Turkey's foreign policy moves to balance the US with Russia are a legacy of the Cold War, but the motives behind this legacy have changed in the 2010s due to global, regional, and domestic transformations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2021
Publisher: Lexington Books

The recent acquisition of S-400 air defense systems by Turkey from Russia has sparked intense debates and raised concerns about the future of Turkey-US relations and Turkey's membership in NATO, which has been considered a key symbol of Turkey's alliance with the West. However, it is important to note that Turkey's strategic maneuvers between the US and Russia are not a new phenomenon and can be traced back to the Cold War era. In fact, Turkey's alliance with the West did not prevent it from establishing close relations with the Soviet Union during that time.

This book, inspired by Glenn Snyder's theory of alliance politics, explores the dynamics of Turkey's foreign policy and argues that Turkey's actions to balance the US with Russia in the historical context constitute a strong element of continuity and a significant pattern in Turkish foreign policy. The authors argue that Turkey's foreign policy moves have been shaped by the fear of abandonment and the fear of entrapment in its relations with the US, and that these maneuvers have not only been limited to the Cold War era but have also extended beyond it.

However, the authors also emphasize that the motives behind this legacy have undergone significant changes in the 2010s due to the transformations occurring within global, regional, and domestic contexts. The purchase of the S-400 systems, for instance, has raised concerns about Turkey's alignment with NATO and its commitment to the Western alliance. It has also sparked debates about Turkey's ability to maintain its neutrality and balance its interests between the US and Russia in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

In conclusion, the debates surrounding Turkey's foreign policy and its relations with the US and Russia highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of international relations. Turkey's strategic maneuvers between the US and Russia are a reflection of its historical experiences, geopolitical interests, and the changing dynamics of the global political landscape. As the world continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Turkey navigates these challenges and shapes its foreign policy in the years to come.

Weight: 499g
Dimension: 228 x 160 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793629586