Syrian foreing policy in Bashar al-Assad period and relations with Turkey: An evaluation on continuity and change

Continuity in international relations means that the foreign policy of a state cannot or does not go beyond certain parameters when maintaining basic long-term principles. Decisions taken in line with a state's continuity in foreign policy as well as those that may arise for reasons of necessity may come out in the open. The country's history, geography, population, economic situation, military power, and national characteristics can affect structural factors such as the people's cultural characteristics, national character, characteristics of leaders and foreign policy. All this can lead to the continuation of foreign policy in either a compulsory or in a voluntary way. There are different theories about the concept of change in international relations, and the most common and accepted are realism or neorealism and liberalism or neoliberalism. According to classical realism and neorealism, there is no basic change in international relations. According to classical realists, the state argues that concepts such as the balance of power and war are as old as human history and will continue in the future. It is a phenomenon that change in the international field is realized by wars in order to bring the system in accordance with the interests of the states when conditions appropriate to their interests are formed. According to the neorealists, change is not possible unless another, hierarchical, international system develops. According to the liberals and neo-liberals, change in international politics is possible and should even be defended. Another way to better understand the dynamics that lead states to change their foreign policies is to classify the changes in the foreign policies of states. It is possible to classify these changes as elective or compulsory, internal or external, radical or limited and sudden or gradual. The aim of the study was to observe the prevalence of implementation and change in the foreign policy of Syria by examining the phenomena of continuity and change existing in fhe international policy literature. The aim was to investigate what has changed, especially regarding Bashar al-Assad, during the implementation of foreign policy decisions and domestic political repercussions as well as the implications of this orientation of continuity and change for relations with Turkey.