This edited volume is the outcome of a scholarly initiative examining the impact of recent geopolitical transformations on the evolution of Turkish foreign policy. At a time when the liberal international order is increasingly contested, great-power rivalry is intensifying, and regional conflicts are reshaping global politics, Turkey has emerged as one of the consequential middle powers in its neighbourhood. The contributions brought together in this collection explore both the regional and sectoral dimensions of Turkish foreign policy, offering a multifaceted assessment of the challenges and opportunities confronting Ankara as it seeks to navigate an increasingly fragmented and uncertain international environment. The essays included in this volume were first presented and discussed in two roundtables organized by Turkey’s International Relations Council (Uluslararası İlişkiler Konseyi – UİK) and convened by Prof. Sinem Akgül Açıkmeşe at the 67th Annual Convention of the International Studies Association (ISA), held in Columbus, Ohio, from 22 to 25 March 2026.
The contemporary transformation of the international system, marked by the erosion of the liberal international order, the relative decline of U.S. hegemony, and the proliferation of regional conflicts, has elevated the strategic importance of middle powers. Turkey, situated at the intersection of Europe, the Middle East, and Eurasia, has been particularly affected by the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran, all of which pose significant challenges to its security, economic, and diplomatic interests. Bringing together contributions from leading scholars of Turkish foreign policy, the collection explores both the regional and sectoral dimensions of Turkey’s evolving international role to an increasingly fragmented and multipolar international environment. Several chapters focus on the regional aspects of Turkish foreign policy, analyzing Turkey’s relations with Iran, Russia, the Gulf states, the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Other contributions examine key sectoral issues, including the implications of the Iran war for Turkey’s energy policy, defence industry, strategic posture, and mediation capabilities. Taken together, the chapters highlight the opportunities and constraints facing Turkey as it seeks to navigate an increasingly unstable regional and international landscape. The volume argues that Turkey’s future influence will depend on its ability to balance intensifying great-power competition with efforts to promote regional stability, diplomacy, and institutional cooperation. In doing so, it offers broader insights into the evolving role of middle powers in a rapidly changing global order.
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