This program aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of Turkey's grand strategy from the founding of the Republic to the present day.

The program analyses Turkey's approximately one-century-long strategic orientation through key historical turning points, examines the structural relationship between foreign policy, security architecture, and economic models in each period, and evaluates current geopolitical positioning within the context of historical continuity.

The training is specifically designed to enable foreign diplomats to understand Turkey's foreign policy evolution, security priorities, and economic transformation, thereby allowing them to better grasp Turkey's strategic decision-making processes and its role in regional and global relations.

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

 •Understand the historical evolution of Turkey's foreign policy and security strategies from the founding of the Republic to the present day
• Analyse the relationship between Turkey's domestic political developments and its grand strategy
• Grasp Turkey's multi-dimensional foreign policy approach and its relations with major powers (USA, Russia, China, EU)
• Evaluate Turkey's regional policies in the Middle East, the Balkans, the Caucasus, and Africa
• Understand Turkey's defence and security policies within and beyond the NATO framework
• Analyse Turkey's economic transformation, trade strategies, and energy and infrastructure policies
• Gain insight into Turkey's "Century of Turkey" vision and its strategic implications

1: The Founding of the Republic and the Single-Party Period (1923–1950)

Foreign Policy and Security

• The foundation of the Republic and the principle of "Peace at Home, Peace in the World"
• Western alliance orientation and preservation of the status quo
• Policy of neutrality during the Second World War
• NATO membership and integration into the Western security architecture

Economy

• Statist economic model and import-substitution industrialisation
• Agricultural modernisation and land reforms
• Infrastructure development and nation-building economy
• State Economic Enterprises (SEEs) and economic sovereignty
• Industry, Trade and Foreign Capital (1923–Present)

2: Multi-Party Democracy and the Cold War Period (1950–1980)

Foreign Policy and Security

• The Cyprus issue and Greek-Turkish relations
• Middle East policies and regional balancing
• Turkey's role as the southern flank of NATO during the Cold War
• Military interventions and their effects on foreign policy

Economy

• Liberal economic opening and foreign investment
• Mechanisation of agriculture and export orientation
• Deepening of import-substitution industrialisation
• Memberships in International Institutions (1945–Present)

 3: The Post-Cold War Period and Multi-Dimensional Diplomacy (1980–2002)

Foreign Policy and Security

• The end of the Cold War and the new strategic environment
• Relations with the newly independent Turkic republics
• The Gulf War and Middle East interventions
• EU candidacy and democratisation reforms
• Reunification efforts in Cyprus and the Annan Plan

Economy

• January 24, 1980 economic stabilisation programme
• Neoliberal transformation and export-led growth
• Privatisation of state enterprises
• Integration into global financial markets
• Economic crises and relations with the IMF

 4: Regional Power Aspirations (2002–2016)

Foreign Policy and Security

• "Zero problems with neighbours" doctrine
• The Arab Spring and changing Middle Eastern dynamics
• The Syrian civil war and the refugee crisis
• Relations with Russia: cooperation and competition
• Relations with the USA: tensions and strategic divergence

Economy

• Economic growth and transformation
• Modernisation of the banking sector
• EU membership efforts, Customs Union, and economic and trade relations with the EU

 5: The Arab Spring and the Period of Regional Turbulence (2011–2016)

Foreign Policy and Security

• The Arab Spring process: the Libya intervention, the Morsi period in Egypt, the break with Assad in Syria
• The Syrian civil war and Syrian refugees: security and social policy implications
• The ISIS threat
• The 2015 Russian aircraft crisis and tensions with Moscow
• The July 15, 2016 coup attempt and restructuring of the security architecture
• Strategic rupture with the West

Economy

• Current account deficit vulnerability after 2011
• Expansion of the CBRT policy toolkit and macroprudential measures
• The December 17–25 process and the economic effects of political uncertainty
• Economic balances after July 15
• Mega infrastructure projects, Turkey’s role as a logistical and geo-economic bridge between East and West

 6: The Quest for Strategic Autonomy (2016–Present)

Foreign Policy and Security

• Syrian operations: Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, Peace Spring
• Eastern Mediterranean tensions, the Libya intervention, and the maritime jurisdiction agreement
• The Karabakh War (2020) and military-diplomatic engagement
• The S-400 crisis and CAATSA sanctions
• Balancing policy in the Russia-Ukraine War
• Normalisation diplomacy (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt)
• Multipolarity and the strategic autonomy discourse

 Economy

• The heterodox monetary policy period (2018–2023)
• Return to orthodox policies after 2023 and the disinflation programme
• Growth in defence industry exports and growth in domestic content ratios
• Energy policies: Black Sea gas, Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, Turkey’s goal of becoming an energy hub, energy independence and green transition plans

A certificate of participation will be issued to participants who meet at least 70% attendance.

Prof. Dr. Hüseyin BAĞCI

Dr. Gülsüm AKBULUT

English

Diplomats serving in foreign embassies and international organisations in Turkey, foreign policy analysts and researchers working on Turkey, international relations professionals working on Turkish affairs, journalists and correspondents covering Turkey.

Prerequisites: Professional background in diplomacy, international relations, or related fields. Advanced understanding of international politics and regional dynamics is preferred.

18 hours

June 1, 2026