For nearly half a century, political scientists have argued that the era of ideology has died out. With the exception of Iran, most countries are ruled by political elites who have hired specialized technocrats loyal to them to assist them in political matters, both internally and externally.
This means that old ideological beliefs and the beliefs associated with them have paved the way for new means of managing the affairs of states, helping people solve their problems, and influence their material and spiritual progress.
However, this proposition does not seem correct for Turkey in terms of relations with the countries of the Arab world, especially since (December 2010 – January 2011). Before that time, many Arab countries didn’t seem to be on the verge of the chaos and instability that appeared, so it opens up before Turkey or other countries. The countries of the region are the gates for ideological interference and penetration into them.
Our goal in this regard is in principle twofold: the first is to take a quick look at the reactions of the current Turkish ruling elite led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan towards the chaos that is taking place in a number of Arab countries. , and the second is to show how articulated the dimensions of the policies of this elite – in particular the focus on ideological evangelization – is an attempt to implement part of an important model that has prevailed in international relations throughout history among some nations with expansionist goals and external ambitions in the lands of their neighbors.
This stems from the fact that ideological relations always have important effects on the ruling elites from the point of view of danger, which creates temptations for policy makers to export their ideological principles as a means of increasing the number of allies in the international system and reducing the number of enemies, and these temptations emerge strongly when unrest arises. Targeting countries and opening the doors to ideological polarization, and this is related to the ability of states to penetrate during times of political turbulence, as in the case of the era of chaos that has plagued some Arab countries. During these crises, ideological opponents who aspire to external expansion are sensitive to the opportunities that present themselves, which are based on the ideology and opportunities provided by internal outputs in the targeted countries, and with the development of manifestations of chaos in some Arab countries, it has become clear that the behavior of the Turkish ruling elite applies to this proposition.
Since the beginning of present-day Turkey and the coming to power of the “Justice and Development Party”, we have never heard that he is one of the supporters of spreading democracy beyond its borders, just as the Turks originally differed between them to the core about interference in the Arab world, so why not spread democracy in it ?!
Yes, they supported demonstrators and protesters in Arab countries where Turkey has limited economic interests and little strategic cooperation, and sided with ruling regimes with which Turkey shares important material interests, but as time goes on, Turkey it has become increasingly committed to replacing existing political systems with which Ankara shares important interests.
Perhaps the fundamental reason for this change is due to the belief that a non-ideological foreign policy is harmful to Turkish interests and wastes its potential to support power throughout the Arab and Islamic world.
The current Turkish political elite is claiming its commitment to democracy, which is unrealistic. According to this statement – albeit sincere – the lack of support for popular demonstrations in Arab countries is considered a serious weakening of the principles of the spread of democracy, and Turkey appears to be practicing protection and selfishness.
Therefore, on the contrary, supporting the demonstrations offers them the opportunity to support other groups to achieve a power that intersects with Turkish goals and interests, while at the same time strengthening its ties with US-led democratic allies, and this strengthens Turkey’s influence in the Arab world and provides them with favorable opportunities. Great for increasing safety.
In the case of Turkey and the chaos of the Arab world, there is a conflict between ideology and interests, as is known in the international relations literature, but they are intertwined with each other in a way that cannot be eliminated.
* An Emirati writer