Turkey's Smart Power Policy Towards Neighboring Arab States After 2012: Syria and Iraq as Case Studies

the international and political journal

Authors

  • Ziad Khalaf Abdullah Al-Jubouri

Abstract

This research addressed the description and analysis of the smart power policy adopted and practiced by Turkey toward its Arab neighboring countries after 2012, with a particular focus on the cases of Syria and Iraq as border states and strategic depth states for Turkey. It examines how political, economic, and cultural tools, as well as military and security means, were employed to achieve Turkish strategic interests. It also highlights the transformations that occurred in Turkish foreign policy as a result of regional changes and security challenges witnessed in the region, and the impact of all this on regional balances.

Keywords: Smart power, Turkey, Iraq, Syria

References

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Theses and Dissertations

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• Abu Mustafa, Mohammed Suleiman Mahmoud. “The Position of Soft Power in Turkish Foreign Policy toward the Middle East after 2023.” Political Issues Journal, no. 75, College of Political Science, Al-Nahrain University, 2023.

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Additional Files

Published

2026-11-14

How to Cite

Al-Jubouri, Z. K. A. . (2026). Turkey’s Smart Power Policy Towards Neighboring Arab States After 2012: Syria and Iraq as Case Studies: the international and political journal . The International and Political Journal, 68, 485–520. Retrieved from https://ipj.uomustansiriyah.edu.iq/index.php/political/article/view/574