CHANGING OF TURKEY’S SYRIAN STRATEGY: FROM BANDWAGONING FOR PROFIT TO THREAT BALANCING

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Kurt V.

V. ORTADOĞU'DA SİYASET VE TOPLUM KONGRESİ, Sakarya, Turkey, 14 - 16 November 2020, pp.180-188

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • City: Sakarya
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.180-188

Abstract

Abstract

In this paper, I will try to explain what kind of strategy that Turkey applied toward the Syrian crisis, and what kind of causes drives Turkey to follow this strategy. I assume that Turkey applied the “bandwagoning for profit” strategy in the initial phases of the Syrian Crisis. But once Turkey recognized that this strategy does not work due to the changing US approach to Syria and faced new threats, it changed not only its priorities but its strategy as well without wasting time. Russia’s involvement in the Syrian crisis was another driving force for Turkey’s changing strategy. In this context, my point is that Turkey’s “bandwagoning for profit strategy” shifted to a “threat balancing strategy” since mid of 2015.

Keywords: Bandwagoning for Profit, Threat Balancing, USA, Turkey, Syrian Crisis.