Humanitarianism and Turkish Foreign Policy

Abstract

This paper focuses on the nexus of humanitarianism and Turkish foreign policy. Turkey has become an active player in the humanitarian aid sector over the recent years with a significant expansion in its aid budgets and areas of focus. To investigate what such a rapid changing and increasing role in humanitarianism means for the Turkish foreign policy, the paper first undertakes a conceptual and historical review of humanitarianism for both Turkey and the international context. Second, the case study of Somalia is used to investigate how Turkey’s foreign policy around humanitarianism has been undertaken in a highly challenging environment since 2011 and finally, the paper presents what lessons could be learned from this experience.

Keywords

Humanitarianism, Humanitarian Aid, Turkey, Somalia, Foreign Policy

Citation

Özerdem, Alpaslan, “Humanitarianism and Turkish Foreign Policy”, International Relations, Volume 13, Issue 52, 2016, pp. 129-149.

Affiliations

• Alpaslan ÖZERDEM, Prof. Dr., Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University