Erdogan’s foreign policy leaves Turkey in the doldrums
Turkey gives the impression of a beleaguered country that is losing ground on all fronts.
![CHINA-SILKROAD/ Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends the Roundtable Summit Phase One Sessions of Belt and Road Forum at the International Conference Center in Yanqi Lake on May 15, 2017 in Beijing, China REUTERS/Lintao Zhang/Pool *** Local Caption *** Aung San Suu Kyi - RTX35UUY](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2017/05/RTX35UUY.jpg/RTX35UUY.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=i-ZLPI6B)
Turkey was once considered by the West to be a positive force in a turbulent part of the world. Just a few years ago, it provided a model for the Middle East with its secular and modern outlook, parliamentary democracy and rapidly developing liberal economy.
It failed, however, to live up to these expectations. It has also failed to produce a positive and proactive foreign policy that complements its strategic importance. Turkey is currently at odds on key regional issues with almost all of the major stakeholders, starting with the United States, Russia and Europe.