Turkey’s Policies in Libya

It should be said that Turkey is after its own interests in the case of Libya. Whatever policy maximizes its interests, that is the policy it will follow. In other words, method is not important for Turkey, but achieving and maintaining its national interest is the main purpose. Now, Turkey feels that its interests and investments in Libya are threatened, and therefore it is adopting a specific policy toward Libya.

Turkey’s policies in regards to Libya can be described as follows. Initially, when the UN Security Council passed a resolution to attack Libya, Turkey tried to maintain its interests through negotiations with the Libyan government. But later we witnessed the opposition gaining the upper hand and the European Union supporting the opposition, and then a temporary transition government was established in Benghazi. This is why Turkey’s policies toward Libya changed from an intermediary to a supporter of the opposition.

This policy shows that Turkey desires to act upon Ottoman Empire policies. This policy was based on not getting into conflicts with land and sea neighbors. Turkey is acting upon the same policy in regards to Libya and since this country is an oil-rich country and Turkey wants to turn into the energy source of the region in the long term, it is taking maximum advantage if this situation. Being an energy source means that Turkey wants to change its role from a transit to an energy stock market, which it has the foreign policy and practical potential to achieve.

Turkey’s bolder role

It should also be mentioned that Turkey’s foreign policy is a flexible one and it is able to maintain its role in any condition.

Unlike some Islamic countries that see the world only in black and white, Turkey considers the gray side as well. This policy was established after the collapse of the Soviet Union. After applying this policy Turkey turned into the development example in Islamic countries for the remaining countries of the Soviet Union and the Balkans. Turkey has gained this role through its political ethics, which are not acceptable by some Islamic countries. Turkey has both intermediary and bargaining power.

Moreover Turkey benefits from the support of the US, which Iran lacks. Therefore, Iran has an independent foreign policy, but it is not given opportunities to play a role.

I believe that Turkey can play the intermediary role due to the characteristics it has. In addition it should be mentioned that Turkey has a special position because while being a Mediterranean country it also is present in the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Middle East.

In addition, the geopolitics of any country becomes important when the leaders of that country are able to benefit from it, which I believe Turkey is doing. It could be said that Turkey will even further prosper-- according to Mr. Erdogan, Turkey will turn into an influential worldwide power in 2023, which will be the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic.