Turkey and the West: Autonomy and Contestation in a Changing Global Order

Date: 

Monday, January 22, 2024, 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Location: 

Lower Level conference room, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Adolphus Busch Hall, 27 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA 02138

The Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies presents

Senem Aydın-Düzgit, Professor of International Relations, Sabancı University; Senior Scholar and Research and Academic Affairs Coordinatorlicy Center, Istanbul Policy Center, Sabancı University

Atila Eralp, Professor Emeritus in the Department of International Relations, Middle East Technical University, Ankara; Member of the Mercator-Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) International Advisory Council (2019-2023), International Advisory Council

Fuat Keyman, Professor of International Relations, Sabancı University; Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Social Impact, Sabanci University; Director, Istanbul Policy Center, and

Andrew O'Donohue, Ph.D. Student in Government, Harvard University; Graduate Student Affiliate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University

ChairLenore Martin, Professor of Political Science, Emmanuel College; Associate, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs; Associate, Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University

Turkey’s current relations with both the U.S. and the EU are at one of the lowest points in the republic's history. Turkey’s self-proclaimed goal of seeking “strategic autonomy” in its foreign policy is predicated on the assumption that the international order has already entered a post-Western phase, in which maximum autonomy from Western norms and institutions should be attained. This foreign policy approach has implications for its domestic politics and the future of its democracy, as well as for Turkey’s contestatory practices of the international order. This panel will discuss the drivers behind Turkey’s quest for strategic autonomy, the parallels with other middle powers, its repercussions for the West and the global order, and possible future scenarios.

Co-sponsor: WCFIA/CMES MIddle East Seminar, Harvard University
Contact: Albana Shehaj