Türkiye’s Foreign Policy in the Eastern Mediterranean Area During the AKP Era: The Analysis of the Security Questions

This thesis examines Türkiye’s foreign policy in the Eastern Mediterranean under the AKP government, focusing on the regional security dynamics and how it can be explained by both neo-realist and constructivist perspectives. The study assesses Türkiye's strategic maneuvers and ideological influences within the framework of evolving power politics. It provides a detailed analysis of key policies and events. Through a blend of historical genetical analysis and theoretical application, the thesis clarifies Türkiye’s efforts to reconcile its historical legacies with contemporary geopolitical challenges, revealing a foreign policy that is both assertive in its regional claims and reflective of deeper national identity constructs. The findings underscore the complexity of Türkiye’s foreign policy strategy, marked by a pursuit of increased regional influence amidst a multipolar international context.