Abstract:

The main topic of our article is Ahmet Davutoglu’s strategic depth doctrine, which in recent years has struck the mark of Turkish foreign policy. Contrary to the traditional Turkish foreign policy, according to this doctrine, the proactive and peaceful policies of Turkey, which has been integrated with the regional countries, are seen as the cause and result of the country’s history, geography, culture and civilization depth. At the beginning of our study, after briefly presented some of the steps that Turkey has taken in the way to become a regional actor in the foreign policy history, the doctrine of strategic depth is first and foremost defined from an etymological and terminological point of view. After the importance of the Davutoglu doctrine in the international community has been exhausted, the general principles of this doctrine are analyzed, such as zero problem with neighbors, balance between security and freedoms, development of relations with neighbors and other regions, multi-dimensional diplomacy and stronger representation in international organizations. The last part, however, explores the political and economic, cultural and educational reflections of the doctrine of strategic depth on the Balkans on the one hand. The economic reflections of this doctrine on the Balkan region are presented with economic tables showing the trade relations of Turkey and the countries of the region.

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