TURKISH-AMERICAN RELATIONS AFTER THE 1990S: ANALYSIS OF A CHALLENGING FRIENDSHIP

Öz

The nature of the bilateral ties between the Turkey and the US have mostly been influenced by the Cold War discourse until the 1990s. However, since then, the spirit of the relations has differed in terms of scope, direction and partnership perspectives. Following the end of the Cold War, Turkey embarked on a foreign policy approach characterized by increased flexibility until the year 2000. Nevertheless, starting from the year 2000, the bilateral relations between these two nations have seen significant and unforeseen transformations. Despite maintaining their alliance and partnership, the agendas and national strategic interests of both nations have varied. They sometimes engage in competition on both global and regional matters. Hence, the aim of this study is to examine the dynamics of Turkish-American relations post-1990s, considering evolving global political discourse. The major outcome of this analysis is that there is a challenging relationship between the two countries. The return of the of geopolitics is a very important and decisive factor that has an impact on US-Turkey relations. It virtually prevents the relations between both parties from more deteriorating and leading to unexpected consequences.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• The US
• Turkey
• bilateral relations
• challenging relationship
• geopolitics
• post-1990s.

ANALYSIS of TURKISH-AMERICAN RELATIONS POST-1990s

Öz

The nature of the bilateral ties between the Türkiye and the US have mostly been influenced by the Cold War dis-course until the 1990s. However, since then, the spirit of the relations has differed in terms of scope, direction and partnership perspectives. Following the end of the Cold War, Türkiye embarked on a foreign policy approach char-acterized by increased flexibility until the year 2000. Nevertheless, starting from the year 2000, the bilateral rela-tions between these two nations have seen significant and unforeseen transformations. Despite maintaining their alliance and partnership, the agendas and national strategic interests of both nations have varied. They sometimes engage in competition on both global and regional matters. Hence, the aim of this study is to examine the dynamics of Turkish-American relations post-1990s, considering evolving global political discourse. The major outcome of this analysis is that there is a challenging relationship between the two countries. The return of geopolitics is a very important and decisive factor that has an impact on US-Türkiye relations. It virtually prevents the relations between both parties from deteriorating and leading to unexpected consequences.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• The US
• Türkiye
• bilateral relations
• challenges
• post-1990s.

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