Beyond Diplomacy: The Political Utility of Foreign Policy in Türkiye

Executive Summary

Although foreign policy is traditionally driven by strategic imperatives, national interests, and overarching geopolitical considerations—and follows its own distinct trajectory— its effects reach far beyond formal diplomacy, permeating public perceptions of governance and influencing domestic political discourse. Governments often leverage foreign policy narratives to consolidate political support, bolster collective identities, and steer public attention—particularly in moments of intense polarization or electoral competition. These maneuvers underscore the reciprocal relationship between foreign and domestic policy, a relationship that has grown more pronounced with the rise of populism and the securitization of political agendas. Recently, in Türkiye, this dynamic manifests in several crucial developments. The 2023 general elections, the reconfiguration of regional power following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and the evolving Kurdish issue—intimately tied to the Syrian context—are all instances where external concerns converge with internal politics. Recent debates surrounding Türkiye’s new Kurdish opening process and the political ramifications of the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Abdullah Öcalan’s call for disarmament of the terrorist organization exemplify how foreign policy priorities, especially those tied to security and regional stability, are recast to shape domestic political outcomes. Although foreign policy unfolds according to strategic and geopolitical logics, it also serves as a powerful instrument for domestic political maneuvering. By analyzing these intersection points—where international developments and internal political strategies collide—this analysis aim to shed light on how external narratives are repurposed to frame Türkiye’s domestic debates and electoral calculations.