Türkiye's Asia policy in a multipolar world

This thesis examines Türkiye's Asia policy in a multipolar world and the role of Türkiye in Asia through the lens of the Re-Asia Initiative. The study seeks to answer questions regarding why Türkiye has turned its focus towards Asia and whether a comprehensive Asia policy is feasible. Assumptions prevail in the 21st century that the international system will be shaped by Asia. Despite Turkey's progress in its Western-oriented foreign policy, particularly evident with the announcement of the Re-Asia Initiative in 2019, it has also pivoted towards Asia. The primary argument of the research posits that Türkiye's shift towards Asia is not due to distancing itself from the West but rather as a means of balancing its foreign policy. Accordingly, the conceptual and theoretical framework of the study emphasizes realism and balancing. Subsequently, Türkiye's bilateral and periodical Asia relations are examined. Finally, following the introduction of the Re-Asia Initiative, the trajectory of relations is discussed, evaluating the Re-Asia Initiative as a soft balancing policy.