The Sunni Identity of AK Party Governments In Syria and Egypt Policies

Abstract

Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (Justice and Development Party-AK Party) defines its identity as a conservative democratic party whereas most of its founding members come from conservative Islamic backgrounds. The two most controversial subjects in Turkey have been the priority given to the Middle East and the composition of Turkish foreign policy’s traditional approach in the last fifteen years since they came to power. AK Party has analyzed the alteration in the international system and tried to be a rising power in its region. However, the Arab Spring has led to a power gap and political instability in the Middle East where international relations are based on the balance of power. AK Party has tried to establish a field of dominance across Iran, which is the most powerful regional rival to be able to fill in this gap. However, the social events have become so unpredictable in Syria that not only regional powers but also non-regional powerful agents including Russia, USA, UK and France have involved in the problem. AK Party has tried to favor the transformation of Egypt and Syria by supporting the Sunni-Salafi groups. Thus, Turkey has become isolated in the region. The aim of this study is to analyze the background of the political ideology of AK Party’s pragmatist policy.