Türkiye's Strategic Culture

Türkiye’s strategic culture is shaped by the interaction of its historical experience, geopolitical position, and political culture. This culture is grounded in long-term thinking, flexibility, and multidimensional balancing policies in decision-making processes. Certain enduring behavioral patterns in Turkish foreign policy constitute the permanent elements of its strategic culture.

Historical Background

Türkiye’s strategic culture is rooted in a continuous understanding of security and foreign policy that spans its history. Its origins lie in the state structure and geopolitical interpretations of the Ottoman Empire. Throughout its rule over three continents, the Ottoman Empire developed a multi-layered governance model based not only on centralized authority but also on balanced relations with local actors. The experience of coexisting with diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural groups formed the foundation of a pluralistic approach in foreign policy. The vast geographical scope of the empire necessitated constant multidimensional assessments of strategic threats, ensuring a persistent state of alertness to external dangers. This historical reflex was inherited by the Republic of Türkiye. Traces of this legacy are clearly visible in its approaches to border security, regional balancing policies, and crisis management.

Although the Republic adopted the nation-state model upon its founding, the foreign policy reflexes inherited from the Ottoman era were not entirely abandoned. The new regime initially pursued an inward-looking policy focused on state consolidation. However, due to the persistence of external threats and the imperatives imposed by its geopolitical position, foreign policy gradually evolved into a more active framework. Regional security initiatives such as the Balkan Pact and the Saadabad Pact in the 1930s are early examples of this transformation. The Cold War marked a new turning point in Türkiye’s strategic culture. Its membership in NATO integrated it into the Western security architecture. Yet this integration did not become a relationship of full dependency. While cooperating with the West, Türkiye occasionally adopted positions aligned with its own security priorities.

By the 21st century, historical memory had become more visible in foreign policy discourse. Concepts such as “Soft Power,” “Shared History,” and “Heartland Geography” reflect the tendency to integrate historical depth with strategic objectives. This historical perspective is frequently invoked in relations with regions such as the Balkans, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Africa. Institutions such as TİKA, the Yunus Emre Institute, TRT World, and the Maarif Foundation seek to reconstruct these historical ties using contemporary strategic tools.

Geopolitical Reality

Türkiye is situated at the intersection of Asia, Europe, and Africa. This position is not merely a physical geography but also defines a strategic role. Türkiye borders key maritime routes including the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Aegean Sea. It also shares direct borders with regions of intense geopolitical tension such as the Caucasus, the Middle East, and the Balkans. This reality renders Türkiye a natural energy corridor, transit hub, and security buffer. Its multi-layered geographical position generates a constant search for balance in foreign policy formulation. Türkiye must simultaneously monitor developments in the East and sustain integration with the West. The discourse of Türkiye as a bridge between East and West is not merely a cultural metaphor but a structural foreign policy imperative. This imperative complicates strategic decision-making and increases the need for multidimensional diplomacy.

Türkiye is a member or candidate of Western alliances such as NATO and the European Union. At the same time, it develops political, economic, and security partnerships with Russia, China, Iran, and Gulf countries. This diversity leads Türkiye to adopt an approach described as a “balancing policy.” This policy seeks to enable fluidity between blocs while expanding its independent maneuver space. The pursuit of strategic autonomy is directly linked to Türkiye’s geopolitical position. Situated at the center of international crises, Türkiye constantly faces the risk of external pressure. As a result, strategic goals such as developing its defense industry, diversifying energy sources, and strengthening regional alliances become priorities.

In addition, Türkiye’s geopolitical position places it at the center of security threats such as migration, terrorism, and transnational crises. Issues such as the Syrian Civil War, the Ukraine-Russia War, tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, and Iran’s regional influence compel Türkiye to act actively and proactively within this complex geography. In this context, enhancing its capacity to respond to crises necessitates the continuous updating of its strategic culture. Türkiye’s geopolitical position is a fundamental determinant of both the opportunities and threat sources in its foreign policy. This dynamic transforms Türkiye into an actor that is strategically flexible yet constantly required to remain vigilant within a multipolar system. The vulnerabilities created by its location, as much as the opportunities it offers, deepen and diversify Türkiye’s strategic culture.

Multidimensional and Proactive Approach

Türkiye’s foreign policy approach in recent years has been defined by the concepts of “Proactive and Humanitarian Diplomacy.” This approach has also been reflected in the institutional vision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Türkiye now shapes its foreign policy not only through classical diplomatic channels but also through multidimensional tools such as economic cooperation, development assistance, cultural engagement, and crisis diplomacy.

Multidimensional diplomacy is Türkiye’s strategy of maintaining relationships with different global powers simultaneously. While sustaining its historical alliance ties with the West, Türkiye also builds strategic partnerships with distinct blocs such as Russia, China, Gulf countries, Africa, and the Turkic world. This approach is grounded in the understanding that the unipolar world order has ended and a multipolar international system has emerged.

Proactive diplomacy expresses Türkiye’s goal of being not a passive actor but a state that takes the initiative on the ground. This policy goes beyond merely reacting to events; it seeks to shape developments and create new agendas. Türkiye’s outreach to Africa, the renewed ties with Central Asia, diplomatic initiatives in Latin America, and its active role in the Balkans exemplify this approach. In these regions, Türkiye demonstrates a multidimensional presence through tools such as development cooperation, infrastructure support, cultural diplomacy, and security dialogue.

This foreign policy orientation is directly linked to the concept of strategic autonomy. Türkiye seeks to strengthen its capacity for independent decision-making in its external relations. This often leads to positions that diverge from those of its allies. For example, Türkiye’s policies on Syria, its military engagement in Libya, its energy diplomacy in the Eastern Mediterranean, and its defense cooperation with Russia can all be understood within this framework.

Strategic culture is not merely military or security-focused. Türkiye also effectively utilizes public diplomacy tools. The 2024–2029 Public Diplomacy Strategy Document published by the Presidency of Communications clarifies objectives in this field. Türkiye views the creation of a positive international image and the fight against disinformation as strategic imperatives. Within this framework, relations with the diaspora, digital diplomacy, and cultural diplomacy are prioritized. Türkiye also places significant emphasis on capacity building and humanitarian assistance in friendly and brotherly countries. Within this context, principles such as sustainability, participation, and transparency are embraced. Such activities are among the elements that enhance Türkiye’s soft power and diversify its foreign policy instruments.

Military Power in Strategic Flexibility and Crisis Management

Analyses conducted by TASAM define Türkiye’s strategic assets as “Political Cards.” Among these assets, military capacity, soft power, geographic position, control over energy routes, and diplomatic diversity stand out. Türkiye possesses the ability to employ these cards flexibly in response to regional dynamics. This flexibility is the product of a pragmatic strategic culture based on interest-driven cooperation rather than fixed alliances.

Military power is a critical instrument in Türkiye’s responses to crises. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) serve as a structural element that supports foreign policy objectives through both deterrent and interventionist capabilities. Since the last two decades, Türkiye has increasingly employed its military not only for defense but also as an active instrument of foreign policy. Operations such as Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, and Peace Spring exemplify this approach. Military support provided in Libya and Syria further reflects this capacity for external intervention.

Advancements in the defense industry have strengthened the foundation of this strategic flexibility. Through indigenous and national defense industry policies, Türkiye aims to reduce external dependency. Unmanned aerial vehicles such as Bayraktar TB2 and AKINCI have elevated Türkiye’s position to that of a regional power in modern warfare technology. Similarly, indigenous warships, air defense systems, rocket technology, and national fighter jet projects have enhanced Türkiye’s operational independence. These military technologies hold significance not only in terms of security but also in diplomatic influence. Türkiye uses its defense industry products as export instruments to establish strategic partnerships internationally. In this context, the defense industry is not merely a technical but also a political instrument.

Türkiye’s approach to crisis management is generally proactive and multi-layered. Diplomatic initiatives, humanitarian aid, military intervention, and public diplomacy tools are employed in tandem. For instance, in the Ukraine-Russia War, Türkiye maintains alignment with NATO while simultaneously balancing diplomatic relations between the conflicting parties. Moreover, Türkiye has incorporated tools such as the establishment of safe zones, migration management, and intelligence coordination into its strategic repertoire to manage the effects of cross-border crises. The TSK and MIT operate in close coordination, ensuring that military operations are conducted in harmony with diplomatic objectives.