Transformative Conflict Resolution in an Unstable Neighbourhood: Turkey’s Conflict Resolution Efforts in the Middle East

Authors : Talha KÖSE

Pages : 171-194

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Publication Date : 2013-01-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Turkey had pursued a foreign policy in the Middle East that focused on transformative conflict resolution until the beginning of the “Arab Spring”. This transformative conflict resolution approach had aimed at bringing holistic and systemic change to the entire region. Turkish foreign policy had aimed at transforming the conflict-producing structures, tried to engage positively with the actors and elites and attempted to change the securitydominated agenda into a multi-dimensional agenda. Despite the dominant discourse of the transformative conflict resolution, in practice the most effective conflict resolution methods and tools that Turkey utilised during this period fell under the management approaches. Turkey’s normative concerns and priorities did not overlap with the priorities of other influential actors in the region. Furthermore the gap between transformative discourse and management practice has widened since Turkey became involved more directly with ongoing crises in the region
Keywords : Conflict Resolution, Conflict Transformation, Turkish foreign policy, Middle East conflicts