This article’s main argument is that after failure of ‘zero problems with neighbours’ oriented
foreign policy Turkey is experiencing the transformation of foreign policy and more focusing
towards the regions which were ignored before. After Arab Spring, especially after the Syrian
Crisis, it has been observed that ‘zero problem with neighbours’ oriented foreign policy became
ineffective and lost its effect in the Middle East. However, this does not mean that Turkey’s foreign
policy loses its assertiveness. After assertive policies towards Middle East and Mediterranean
areas, Turkey’s assertive foreign policy shifted towards new regions, which are historically, have
less confrontation with Turkey and has positive trends against Turkey such as Caucasus and Central
Asia. In this context, while the relations with the Turkic Council were deepened, the policy towards
this region became clear with the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. During the Second Nagorno-
Karabakh War Turkey gave strong support to Azerbaıjan both in term of rhetoric and military
support as well based on Turkish drones and other Turkish made military equipment which shows
the assertiveness of Turkey. The development of the Turkic Council’s member countries both
politically and economically made organization an important regional actor. Thus, Turkic Council
become an important tool for Turkish foreign policy in terms of assertiveness. Turkey’s assertive
foreign policy will increase which is the in compliance with the Turkey’s national security. Also
for region countries, it is important that Turkey put weight on region, which is crucial for Turkish
foreign policy.
Keywords: Assertiveness, Caucasus, Turkish Foreign Policy, Turkic Council.
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