Türkiye’s Anatolian Foreign Policy Goes Beyond ‘Look East’

“For much of the time President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been in office, Türkiye has been an unfaithful NATO ally,” United States Senator Chris Van Hollen told The Washington Post[i] earlier this year. The Senator was inadvertently referring to the 20 months of demands, obstruction, and delay before the Turkish parliament finally voted for Sweden to join NATO. This has been one of the many episodes of NATO-Türkiye discord in recent years on matters ranging from arms sales to trading blocks and geopolitics.

The rift, often deduced from the statements of leaders on either side, has been evident in divergences on critical international issues. A radical school of thought suggests that Türkiye appears to have aligned more closely with the fundamental principles of foreign policy and economics championed by BRICS. The discord has sparked speculation about an unprecedented possibility: A NATO country potentially joining BRICS, in which Russia envisions an increasingly prominent role of leadership for itself.

Voices within Türkiye often highlight this possibility. One such voice went to the extent of suggesting a “voluntary departure or expulsion.”[ii] Even though Türkiye’s complex relationship with NATO goes back to 1952, it has started to resemble confrontation rather than cooperation even as Türkiye introspects and questions the return of its Western alignment. Ankara’s unfulfilled aspirations[iii] – especially of becoming a European Union member – have been indefinitely delayed, despite decades of waiting, making it perhaps the starkest reminder of Türkiye’s marginalization within the Western bloc.

Türkiye is not necessarily spoilt for choice but sees BRICS as an alignment option. However, moving a traditional Western-focused foreign policy toward a more expansive geopolitical framework in which it asserts greater influence would be a significant departure. It could reshape the country’s foreign policy direction while testing NATO’s established dynamics. As the global order evolves toward a multipolar power balance, Türkiye’s decisions could be pivotal in this transformation.

‘Anatolian Foreign Policy’

An “Anatolian Foreign Policy” refers to a conceptual approach in Türkiye’s diplomacy emphasizing its unique geographical, historical, and cultural position as a bridge between continents, civilizations, and regions. Unlike strictly Western- or Eastern-oriented foreign policies, an Anatolian approach often prioritizes practical gains over ideological commitments. It may involve deepening ties with nations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East while maintaining relationships with traditional Western allies. This has not always been a smooth balance, nor is it expected to be so.

However, in recent years, Türkiye’s relationship with the world has been more about balancing different approaches. The duality of Anatolian geopolitics has also manifested in Ankara’s engagement with BRICS while maintaining its NATO membership. In addition to this, Türkiye has tried to mediate conflicts in the Middle East, especially in Syria and Iraq, with an eye to underscoring its aspirations for regional leadership. It has leveraged its position as a transit hub for energy pipelines between the Middle East, Europe, and Russia. It has also promoted Turkish cultural and historical ties across the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and Africa. Such maneuvers have continued despite alignment with the West.

History is behind the slowly evolving but persistent Turkish focus on Anatolian foreign policy. Soner Cagaptay went into the root of the matter, arguing that, unlike Ataturk, the founder of modern Türkiye who came from the Ottoman Empire’s European provinces, the incumbent Erdoğan hails from Anatolia.[iv] “His political base consists of pious Anatolians, many of whom never fully adopted Ataturk’s radically secularist project. Accordingly, Erdoğan’s Türkiye has fewer emotional and political attachments to the West,” Cagaptay claims, adding that “Ataturk hard-formatted Turkey to embed it firmly into the West.”

The ‘Look East’ Policy

Erdoğan has overseen the unraveling of the inherent alignments with the West as he has been in power in one form or another for over two decades. Ironically, just like some of his counterparts in the West, he appears to have found solace in a “Look East” policy. Whether one calls it a perceived lack of space in the Western-oriented world or more significant opportunities in other parts, Erdoğan looks like a leader willing to look east. His openness to BRICS, emphasizing alignment with the group’s focus on multipolarity and global reform, indicates his inclination and purpose. Erdoğan’s presence at BRICS summits and active pursuit of closer ties with its members certainly support this argument.

Türkiye’s active engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, its deepening ties with Asia, and its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative reflect a deliberate shift in the country’s foreign policy under Erdoğan. However, this “Look East” strategy is still not so much about severing ties with the West but rather about diversifying alliances and asserting autonomy in a rapidly evolving global order. Türkiye, positioned geographically at the crossroads of continents, is leveraging its unique location and historical legacy to navigate a multipolar world. It seeks a balance that maximizes its influence while reducing its dependency on traditional Western alliances. As Ankara recalibrates its role on the global stage, it signals a future where its Eurasian identity becomes a cornerstone of its geopolitical strategy.