Discourse analyses of the decision-makers in the post-2014 Türkiye-Qatar defense cooperation process

The 2014 Defense Cooperation Agreement signed between Türkiye and Qatar was an important milestone in the relations between the two countries and relations have continued to increase in many areas. The aim of this study is to reveal the main reasons for the increase in defense cooperation between Türkiye and Qatar between 2014 and 2023. In order to reach the findings of the study, firstly, the dynamics affecting the development of this cooperation between the two countries were analyzed through a literature review method in the historical process. Then, in order to reveal the real extent of the relations, the discourses of the relevant high-level state officials during the period in question were analyzed in depth using critical discourse analysis method. Considering that crisis periods have an important place in testing relations, the 2017 Qatar Crisis was taken as a case study and the discourses of this period were also analyzed. In this context, the meanings, approaches and implications of these discourses were analyzed to better understand the dynamics behind the increase in defense cooperation between Türkiye and Qatar. As a result of the analysis, it has been determined that the defense cooperation between the two countries has developed in parallel by acting in solidarity with the sense of trust and historical and cultural ties in times of crisis and regional problems. Türkiye's aim to increase its influence in the region coincided with Qatar's search for support in the international arena, which led to the development of defense cooperation and the expansion of relations in many areas, especially in the economic field.