Turkey, the US and the EU

Over the past few years, there has been a radical shift in the tone of Turkish foreign policy. From a quiet acquiescence with EU recommendations to the more recent vocal rhetoric and contrarian positioning, Turkey has managed to negotiate a pivotal position for itself within the wider region. Kubilay Yado Arin looks at this change in foreign policy within the context of Turkey's relationship with the US and the EU. Examining the concepts of hard, soft, and smart power in Turkish foreign policy, he focuses on the US' support of a Turkish bid for EU membership, and what this means for relations between Washington and Ankara. Looking specifically at the ways in which think tanks have an effect on policy-making processes, reshaping the foreign policy agenda at a time of political transformation and regional crises due to the civil conflict in Syria. With conclusions of importance to the world of security studies, its examination of the changes in direction of Turkish foreign policy will also be of interest to researchers of international relations in the wider Middle East.