Abstract
Since 1991, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have experienced major transformations in the spheres of civil-military relations, military operations and capabilities; yet there have been also elements of continuity. While the military has come under the control of civilians, the 2016 coup attempt showed that old patterns of behaviour continue and reflect conflict among various groups and issues, including political Islam. In the sphere of military operations, TAF has participated in international peacekeeping missions, but also has become embroiled in the Syrian war and carried out unilateral operations in Iraq against Kurdish groups. Finally, Turkey has increased its military capabilities, but it is still dependent on Western powers for technological expertise. Overall, there is a mismatch between Turkey’s power aspirations and the domestic and regional circumstances it faces, leading to continues despite the changes..
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Handbook of European Defence Policies and Armed Forces |
| Editors | Hugo Meijer, Marco Wyss |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Chapter | 8 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780198790501 |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Jul 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Turkey by Yaprak Gürsoy, 2018, reproduced by permission of Oxford University Press https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-handbook-of-european-defence-policies-and-armed-forces-9780198790501?cc=de&lang=en&#Keywords
- Turkish armed forces
- civil-military relations
- Kurdish separatism
- political Islam
- Syria