Güvenlik Stratejileri Dergisi (Apr 2023)
An Emerging Middle Power’s Quest for Status: Türkiye and United Nations Peacekeeping
Abstract
This study uses “middle power” and “status-based” approaches in the International Relations literature to explain Türkiye’s motivation for participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Turkish peacekeeping activism is considered a recognitive practice based on status-seeking. It is claimed that especially since the 2000s Türkiye has participated in operations to gain a reputation and raise its international status before UN countries, to become visible by contributing to global peace and conflict management, and to influence member countries in its favour to win the elections for non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council. To determine the overall trend and motivation in participation, the international context, the domestic political environment, and the general foreign policy orientations of the governments are taken into account. Personnel contributions related to 28 peacekeeping missions between 1988 and 2022 are examined by reviewing UN Peacekeeping Data, the Grand National Assembly’s decisions, and foreign policy officials’ statements. Suggestions on the future of Turkish peacekeeping policy are also presented in the study.
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