Analysis of effects humanitarian diplomacy activities that realized in the context of human security on Turkey's soft power : The case of Syria (2011-2017)

In this study, the effect of humanitarian diplomacy activities on Turkey's soft power that have been carried out by Turkey are being investigated for the case of Syria in the framework of liberal approach. Turkey aims to increase the supply of soft power and human security with these activities. In the study, human security is explained by liberal security approach and soft power is based on the opinions of Nye. Beyond the border, the level of political stability is used in the evaluation of the activities carried out to ensure human security, and depending on this situation, Fragile States Index data is used. In the analysis of Turkey's soft power it has benefited from three different index- Monocle, Global ranking of Soft Power, Elcano Global Presence Index- and survey results. In order to express the assessment of the index data with numerical values, an equation that reflects the total target level has been created. According to the result of the equation, it is not possible to say that the efforts to provide human security and soft power give the desired results. The main reason for this is that while the political instability in Syria is constantly increasing due to the conflict environment, there is a lack of significant increase in soft power of Turkey between 2011-2017. However, it can be said that immigration and foreign aid as evaluating elements of soft power according to the Elcano Global Index data have a positive effect on Turkey's soft power. The evaluation of effectiveness level of activities in Turkey, the results of questionnaires applied to Syrians living inside and outside of camps in Gaziantep between 29.11.2018-04.12.2018 are used as complementary to index research on both human security and soft power. In parallel with the increases in the indices, the survey results showed positive results regarding soft power. Regarding human security, there is a more positive picture than the index data, but there are some shortcomings. When both index and survey data are evaluated together, it is said that Turkey's target may be partially realized.