Subject area and relevance to Diplomatic Studies
This paper will explore the challenges/threats to Turkey’s national security as a direct result of the current conflict in Syria which threatens to send the entire region into a state of turmoil. With factors related to regional and foreign alliances, ethnic conflict, increasing tensions within the region as a direct result of spillover effects as well as the possible militaristic intervention of western powers, this has created a situation where Turkey may find itself embroiled into a full scale regional conflict (Anderson, 16) (Leenders, 1563).
The Research problem(s) and/or question(s)
With the escalating conflict in Syria which has spiraled into a full blown civil war, Turkey, as a result of its proximity to Syria, has become host to 33,000 civilian refugees as well as dozens of military defectors.
Not only that, tensions between the two states have become considerably strained as Syrian rebels often utilize the border between Syria and Turkey as a staging ground for their attacks on the regime of Bashir Al Asaad which threatens to bring Turkey to the brink of war with Syria as a result of Turkish sympathies for the plight of the rebels as well as vocal protests over the thousands of civilian deaths that have occurred since the start of the conflict (Syria: Protracted Civil Conflict Scenario Increasingly Likely, 19)(Saad, 13).
It is based on this that it must be questioned whether Turkish assistance towards the rebel faction actually promotes its national security issues since it helps to bring about a swift end to the conflict or if such actions acts as a catalyst for greater challenges for Turkey’s national security and if so should Turkey actively distance itself from the actions of the rebels? It must also be questioned what the possible impact radical Islamic militants may have in the coming conflict and whether this may affect Turkey in the long run.
Research Aim
This research aims to examine, identify, and analyze the various threats to Turkey’s national security brought about by the current conflict in Syria. This will be done through an exploration of the current Syrian conflict, what events have connected Turkey to it and the historic relation Turkey has had with its neighboring states and what this could mean should the conflict escalate beyond Syria and encompass the region (Bercovitch and Jackson, 1 – 30).
Literature Review
Turkey at the present can be considered a nation at the crossroads of international relations due its close economic and diplomatic stance with the U.S. as well as its possible accession into the E.U. This is despite its location which many consider to be part of the Middle East due to its proximity to Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria
(Aras and Polat, 495-515). This creates a plethora of national security issues for the country due its proximity to countries that possess a variety of Islamic militants who have a distinctly negative stance on western influences (Abu-Qarn and Abu-Bader, 1-23) (Interfax, 1).
This particular situation is further exacerbated by the current Syrian conflict which threatens to spill over into Turkey as a direct result of thousands of refugees fleeing Syria into Turkey as well as the various military defectors that have also crossed the border into the country (Gourevitch, 49).
With various regions within the borders between the two countries acting as staging grounds for the rebel movement within Syria this has strained the diplomatic relationship between the two countries especially when taking into consideration Turkey’s outspoken stance against the Asaad regime for the atrocities committed as well as its commitment to defend its borders against the intrusion of the Syrian military should they attempt to enter into Turkey (Gerges, 9) (A Course For Controlled Conflict, 12).
When combined with the potential for the current civil war in Syria to bring the entire region into a state of conflict this creates a potentially volatile situation which creates numerous challenges for Syria’s national security especially when taking into consideration its distinctly pro-western stance which may make it an ideal target for Islamic militants who would use a possible regional conflict to further their own ends (Prados and Sharp, 1 – 5) (Anderson, 58).
Research method
A strictly qualitative research method will be utilized for this study wherein the researcher will utilize literature drawn from various academic sources, the internet and well as media publications so as to explore various aspects of Turkey’s national security issues at the present.
No surveys or questionnaires will be needed for this particular type of study since it will strictly be a review and examination of relevant literature on the subject matter of the paper.The following EBSCO databases will be utilized: Academic Search Premier, MasterFILE Premier, ERIC, as well as various books and online source. Keywords used either individually or in conjunction include: national security, conflict in Syria, civil war, rebels, refugees, armed intervention and escalation of conflict.
Reference List
“A Course For Controlled Conflict.” Bloomberg Businessweek 4283 (2012): 12. Business Source Premier. Web.
Abu-Qarn, Aamer S., and Suleiman Abu-Bader. “Structural Breaks In Military Expenditures: Evidence For Egypt, Israel, Jordan And Syria.” Peace Economics, Peace Science, & Public Policy 14.1 (2008): 1-23. International Security & Counter Terrorism Reference Center. Web.
Aras, Bülent, and Rabia Karakaya Polat. “From Conflict To Cooperation: Desecuritization Of Turkey’s Relations With Syria And Iran.” Security Dialogue 39.5 (2008): 495-515. Academic Search Premier. Web.
Anderson, James H. “After The Fall.” World Affairs 174.4 (2011): 16. MasterFILE Premier. Web.
Anderson, Jon Lee. “The Implosion.” New Yorker 88.2 (2012): 58. MasterFILE Premier. Web.
Bercovitch, Jacob, and Richard Jackson. International Conflict : A Chronological Encyclopedia Of Conflicts And Their Management, 1945-1995. Congressional
Quarterly, 1997. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. Gerges, Fawaz A. “Not The First Or The Last Massacre.” New Statesman 141.5108 (2012): 9. MasterFILE Premier. Web.
Gourevitch, Philip. “The Syria Dilemma.” New Yorker 88.16 (2012): 49. MasterFILE Premier. Web.
Interfax. “Lavrov: Moscow-proposed Syria forum must rule out all other conflict settlement formats.” Russia & FSU General News 07 June 2012: 1. Regional Business News. Web.
Leenders, Reinoud. “Iraqi Refugees In Syria: Causing A Spillover Of The Iraqi Conflict?.” Third World Quarterly 29.8 (2008): 1563-1584. Academic Search Premier. Web.
Prados, Alfred B., and Jeremy M. Sharp. “Syria: Political Conditions And Relations With The United States After The Iraq War: RL32727.” Congressional Research Service: Report (2005): 1-26. International Security & Counter Terrorism Reference Center. Web.
Saad, HWAIDAWood, Josh. “In a Lebanese City, Fighting Over Syria Conflict Is Deadly.” New York Times 03 June 2012: 13. MasterFILE Premier. Web.
“Syria: Protracted Civil Conflict Scenario Increasingly Likely.” Emerging Markets Monitor 17.20 (2011): 19. Business Source Premier. Web.