Donald Trump’s Policy Toward Turkey, Change or Continuity

Abstract

The main aim of this research is to understand the change in Trumps’ foreign policy towards Turkey and to show the most important factors of that policy. The research question is to clarify whether there has been change or continuity in US foreign policy towards Turkey during Trumps era. In answering this question, the researcher contends that there are some changes within the continuity in this regard. This research has two main purposes. First, to understand the process of how the US constructs its foreign policy. To that end, this thesis takes into consideration issues of state identity, American self-perception, and the perception of others. The second is to investigate the most important actors and factors behind US foreign policy towards Turkey during the era of Trumps presidency. A qualitative research approach was adopted and data were collected from various primary and secondary sources. The information collected was analyzed thematically and the themes identified were discussed using findings that were presented by previous studies. Hence, the dissertation pursues, to some not insignificant degree, critical analysis.  This study fills a gap in academia with regard to the existence of a thorough study to address the change and continuity in US foreign policy towards Turkey. It is noteworthy that US foreign policy towards Turkey since the coming to power of Trump has had many ups and downs, the dynamics of which need to be explained and analysed, which is what the researcher intends to do.