A comparative analysis of the policy making models of the USA and Türkiye through defense industry exports

This study seeks to answer the question of whether the decision-making process in Türkiye's defense industry exports can be explained with a comparative analysis with the USAs' process using Foreign Policy Analysis models. Structured interviews were conducted with experts from the private sector, public sector, academia, and diplomacy regarding the defense industry. The data from these structured interviews were processed with the MAXQDA Analytics Pro 24 qualitative data analysis software. The decision-making processes of the legislative and executive branches in the United States regarding defense industry exports were comparatively analyzed with those of Türkiye. The bureaucratic processes that have been constructed historically and socially in both countries regarding the defense industry exports will be examined by emphasizing their similarities and differences. In that way, from the approaches of foreign policy analysis, the basic arguements of the organizational process model approach, which emphasizes standard behavioral principles in decision-making of institutions and structures, will be used. The findings of the research indicate that defense industry exports should be considered as a foreign policy issue, highlighting the need for revision in the decision-making process for defense industry exports accordingly.