Suits and Uniforms: Turkish Foreign Policy Since the Cold War (Samuel and Althea Stroum Book)

The changes in the international system beginning in the year 1989 have had a profound effect on Turkey, which moved from being a secondary player in a global conflict to a central player in a range of new regional conflicts. Whether in the Balkans, the Transcaucasus, Central Asia or the Middle East, Turkey has emerged as an actor of pivotal importance, not least to the West. This book examines the origins, political make-up, and direction of Turkish foreign policy during this period of flux.

Robins contends that since 1989 domestic factors -- history, security, ideology, and political economy -- have determined foreign policy. In four case studies -- the Bosnian conflict, ties with Israel, Ankara's involvement with northern Iraq, and relations with the Turkic republics of Central Asia -- the foreign policy implications are traced in detail. Robins also analyzes the heightened importance of Turkey as a secular Muslim state and NATO ally in the wake of September 11.

Philip Robins is the university lecturer in politics of the Middle East at the University of Oxford and a fellow of St. Antony's College. His publications include Turkey and the Middle East.

"Turkey is an increasingly important player on the world scene and there is an important public need for a good systematic and informed book on Turkish foreign policy. Philip Robins has superbly filled the need. He sheds insight on all important aspects of Turkish foreign policy and light on some which are a little obscure. Carefully choosing his case studies he has avoided pontificating on issues adequately treated elsewhere such as Cyprus. But foreign policy of course heavily depends on domestic considerations, and Robins understands them very well indeed in the case of Turkey, and he convincingly relates them to the formulation and execution of foreign policy, no mean feat. Finally he has provided a thoughtful analysis of the evolution of Turkish foreign policy and both the durable and changing factors that have shaped policy and Turkish thinking on foreign affairs. All this makes his book a particularly fine contribution to the field." - Mort Abramowitz, formerly US ambassador in Turkey