Relaciones sirio-turcas : la fallida política exterior de Turquía para Oriente Medio

There is little doubt that assertive, proactive and independent foreign policy conducted by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) during its first two terms, with a special attention to the Middle East and the former territories the Ottoman orbit is one of the most important parameters that have allowed Turkey to become an impartial and effective mediator, not only in regional, but also in global conflicts. Consequently, this country has improved almost all the existing relationships, while also pushing towards regional stability in a zone as marked by conflict as the Middle East. However, as a result of the wave of political change provoked by the anti-authoritarian revolts in the Arab world, Turkey presented itself as a revisionist actor whose perception became more intrusive regarding the neighboring countries. An example of this can be found in Turkey's relations with Syria. Bearing this in mind, it is the aim of this article to determine the general parameters of Turkish foreign policy towards the Middle East throughout the different stages of its history since in the establishment of its current borders, and more specifically in relation to the neighboring Syrian Arab Republic. In order to do this, a thorough analysis of the evolution of bilateral relations until the present, when the refugee crisis and destabilization in Syria mark the agenda, will be presented.