Bahraini-Turkish Relations: A Strategic Role Adaptation of Manama

Yıl 2024, Cilt: 13 Sayı: 3, 69 - 98, 01.09.2024

Betul Dogan Akkas

https://doi.org/10.36360/1560-013-003-004

Öz

The purpose this research is to answer two questions: What are the major national role types that Bahrain accommodates in the contemporary Middle East system in conducting foreign policymaking towards Türkiye? How does Bahrain’s role conceptions towards Türkiye work under a sub-regional Saudi hegemony? There has been continuous, solid, yet limited diplomatic communication between Bahrain and Türkiye. With a hybrid use of post-structural discourse theory and role theory the nature of the emerging ties is elaborated, focusing on the Bahraini foreign affairs. This research proposes that there are two dynamics in the Bahraini foreign policymaking towards Türkiye: a faithful ally of Saudi Arabia and strategic role adaptation. These roles are either played simultaneously, as is the case in the peak years of cooperation with Türkiye, or being a faithful ally of Saudi Arabia dominates Bahrain’s strategic role adaptations, notably in the times of crises.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Bahrain, Türkiye, Türkiye-Gulf Relations, Role Theory

العلاقات التركية البحرينية: تكييف الدور الإستراتيجي للمنامة

Öz

توفّر العلاقات الثنائية التركية البحرينية أرضًا خصبة لمجموعة شاملة من المناقشات حول الشؤون الإقليمية، ومع ذلك فهذا الموضوع غير مدروس. تجيب هذه الدراسة عن سؤالين أساسيين: ما أنماط الأدوار الرئيسة التي تستوعبها البحرين في نظام الشرق الأوسط في إجراء صنع السياسة الخارجية تجاه تركيا؟ وكيف تعمل مفاهيم الدور البحريني تجاه تركيا في ظل الهيمنة السعودية الإقليمية الفرعية؟ تقترح الدراسة أن هناك ديناميكيتين في صنع السياسة الخارجية البحرينية تجاه تركيا، هما: الحليف المخلص للسعودية، والتكيف الإستراتيجي للدور. يتمّ أداء هذين الدورين إما في وقت واحد، كما هو الحال في سنوات الذروة من التعاون مع تركيا، وإمّا أن يهيمن كونها حليفًا مخلصًا للسعودية على تكيفات الدور الإستراتيجي للبحرين، وبخاصة في أوقات الأزمات.

Anahtar Kelimeler

البحرين, تركيا, سياسة الخليج, العلاقات التركية الخليجية

Kaynakça

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