The Rise of Turkey : The Twenty-First Century's First Muslim Power

Turkey, which has always held an important position in global affairs, has become even more prominent on the international stage as an economic power and a harbinger of political Islam. During more than ten years in power—an unprecedented tenure—Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) have expanded Turkey’s trade, diplomatic ties, and cultural exports to transform the country from an economically disadvantaged secular state into the first large Muslim nation with a middle-class majority. Erdogan has asserted Turkish influence in high-stakes, high-profile foreign issues from Gaza to Egypt to Syria, often breaking ranks with his NATO allies. Today, from the cafés of the Arab world to the boardrooms of the G-20, Turkey suddenly matters. __The Rise of Turkey: The Twenty-First Century’s First Muslim Power__ is a guide to the country’s changes, both in its inspiring national potential and in the grave challenges it poses to regional affairs. Structured as a travelogue, each chapter opens on a different Turkish city and captures a new theme of Turkey’s transformation. From the Kurdish issue to foreign policy, Soner Cagaptay argues that Turkey needs to successfully balance its Muslim identity with its Western orientation in order to solidify its position as a regional and global power. Turkey Is Positioned To Become The Twenty-first Century{u2019}s First Muslim Power. Based On A Dynamic Economy And Energetic Foreign Policy, Turkey{u2019}s Growing Engagement With Other Countries Has Made It A Key Player In The Newly Emerging Multidirectional World Order. Turkey{u2019}s Trade Patterns And Societal Interaction With Other Nations Have Broadened And Deepened Dramatically In The Past Decade, Transforming Turkey From A Cold War Outpost Into A Significant Player Internationally. Turkey{u2019}s Ascendance And The Changes That Have Taken Place Under The Leadership Of Turkey{u2019}s Muslim Conservative Government Have Prompted Its Policymakers To Craft A New Vision Of Their Role In Twenty-first Century Society. This Developing Worldview Animates Turkey{u2019}s Desire To Sometimes Take The Lead With Its Co-religionists And Occasionally Challenge Its Partners In The West, While Showing No Inclination To Become An Irresponsible Rising Power. If It Can Consolidate Liberal Democracy At Home, Turkey Could Also Assume The Role Of Serving As An Example For The Newly Emerging Governments Brought About By The Arab Spring. The Cornerstone Of Turkey{u2019}s Rise Has Been The Government{u2019}s Ability To Foster Stable Political Conditions For Economic Growth, Alongside A Foreign Policy That Balances Turkey{u2019}s Muslim Identity With Its Western Overlay, Including Its Strong Ties To The United States. Accordingly, Policies That Could Tarnish Turkey{u2019}s Reputation As A Bastion Of Stability Risk Undermining Its Position Between Europe, The United States, And The Middle East. This Realization Has Been The Catalyst For Ankara{u2019}s Careful Management Of Eastern And Western Desires And Expectations. The Result Is A New Turkey: A Twenty-first-century Muslim Power That Promotes Stability Without The Confines Of A Regional European Rubric. --provided By Publisher. Introduction : Rising Turkey And Its Challenges -- Turkey's New World -- Conservative Islam Meets Capitalism -- The Military Gets On Board -- Is Turkish Power Myth Or Reality? -- Beyond Ottoman Benevolence -- The Other Turkey -- Can Turkey Make It? -- Is There Room For Turkey In The West? -- Lessons For America. Soner Cagaptay. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 161-164) And Index. Contents ix List of Illustrations ix List of Maps ix List of Tables xi Acknowledgments xiii Prologue xv List of Abbreviations 1 Introduction: Rising Turkey and Its Challenges 15 1. Turkey’s New World 30 2. Conservative Islam Meets Capitalism 41 3. The Military Gets on Board 55 4. Is Turkish Power Myth or Reality? 70 5. Beyond Ottoman Benevolence 76 6. The Other Turkey 98 7. Can Turkey Make It? 126 8. Is There Room for Turkey in the West? 137 9. Lessons for America 153 Notes 161 Bibliography 165 Index