Turkey's Geopolitical Endeavor in the Middle East

The Middle East region is characterized by the changing realities, especially since the Gulf War II after the end of the Cold War. This is actually the case of the Middle East's geopolitics, especially after the change in Iraq, which constitutes a major geopolitical change in the region. In this context, the regional powers in the Middle East are in a hard pursuit to achieve a recognized regional role and associated influence. These regional endeavors come also in a context of geopolitical split between regional forming camps, and a geopolitical struggle between different regional powers over the region and the regional geopolitical system, which is still unsettled and complicated by the regional and international inputs.

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In this regard, Turkey is searching for a significant role in the region, as a key regional power, according to the Turkish perception. Turkey perceives its regional status as a big country enjoys a significant geographical, human, economic and military capabilities at the regional level that makes Turkey a capable and important country looking for its interests at the regional level. Therefore, after decades it has been occupied with its many problems with its neighbors, Turkey has been trying hard, in the latest few years, to find an important role in the region to play, and to have a say on the region's affairs and issues.

Turkey so far tries to keep itself away from the confronting regional camps, as it wants a regional role of its own, the matter that is, in my view, quite in question. In this regard, Turkey tried a play a role in Iraq following the change there in 2003, taking advantage of the bad security situation in Iraq and the problems and challenges the United States was facing in this regard. However, this attempt by Turkey was not successful, as it lifted its ambitions very high while Iraq was a supreme international question, and the Iraqis were quite vigilant about Turkey's pursuit and intentions.

Furthermore, Turkey wanted a role on the Lebanese question, and sent troops to southern Lebanon to participate in the UNIFIL force under the UN command, after 2006 war between Hezbullah and Israel. However, Turkey's will and efforts were stalled by the Iranian and Syrian key roles and influences in Lebanon.

Turkey also showed a serious interest in playing a role on the Palestinian question through mediating between Israel and the Palestinians, which was blocked by Israel. Again, Turkey puts a high level to its ambitions and expected role in the region, based on an over-assessment of its regional assets and influence.

The most successful regional achievement by Turkey was the strong and excellent relations with the Baath regime in Syria while this regime was in a very serious regional and international isolation following the assassination of the former PM Hariri in Lebanon. In this regard, Turkey succeeded in playing mediating role between Syria and Israel in their indirect negotiations, benefiting from its close relation with the Syrian regime and the Israeli and Syrian mutual will of having a state of negotiations.

Hence, Turkey is trying hard to find a significant place and role in the Middle East besides the other regional powers, but apart from the regional geopolitical split and its related camps, which somehow takes a religious or sectarian dimension and shape. In this regard, I think that without seriously considering and reacting with this regional reality, Turkey's regional endeavor would be unrealistic and a very difficult task that to achieve is in doubt.