Nasihatname-i Durust:“Measured Advice” for Turkish Foreign Policy in a Rapidly Changing World (original) (raw)

"Can Turkish foreign policy deliver a more prosperous, stable, and empowering future for millions of individuals both at home and in the surrounding region? Turkish diplomacy has tried many alternatives over the years, from World War II neutrality, to active NATO participation, to European Union solicitation. Each of these strategic orientations made sense in their time, and exhibited a savvy awareness of whom to support during a brutally violent century. However, as a new century matures, it is again time for Turkey to set out with willing partners on the long path toward a fresh framework. At this point, Turkish officials should work to strengthen bonds in all directions, continuing to operate to the extent possible under the vision of “zero problems,” searching for opportunities to foster mutual advantage with all sovereign states, and working to overcome the ghosts of the past.Considering the regional constructions reviewed here, the guiding principles should be that the sum is stronger than its parts, organic growth is better than sudden expansion, and future stability and prosperity should be based on policy ingredients already present. In the spirit of classical policy advice literature, after surveying various options for addressing today’s challenges, this humble servant suggests a multilateral regional framework of political cooperation,economic integration, and strategic breadth. To preserve geographic flexibility, terminological simplicity, geographic ambiguity, and institutional self-confidence, one might refer to this proposed entity as a “Central Union.”"