Smart power in Turkish foreign policy: The case of Somalia (2011-2024)

The concepts discussed in relation to the dynamic structure of international relations and the foreign policy practices preferred by states change over time. Within the framework of this change, the concept of smart power brings a new perspective to the traditional concept of power and emerges as a strategy preferred by states in their foreign policy practices. When Türkiye's foreign policy practices after the Arab Spring are considered, it is evaluated that Türkiye has implemented the smart power strategy through soft power elements and/or hard power elements and that Türkiye-Somalia relations are an example of the implementation of this strategy. It is observed that Türkiye-Somalia relations gained momentum after the famine disaster in Somalia in 2011 and reached the desired levels with the practices within the scope of the smart power strategy. While the changing structure of power and the concept of smart power are emphasized in the study, the historical process of Türkiye-Somalia relations is subsequently touched upon and finally Türkiye-Somalia relations are examined within the scope of the smart power strategy. The aim of the study is to examine Türkiye-Somalia relations within the scope of the smart power strategy since 2011, to reveal the dynamics of the smart power strategy and the factors affecting these dynamics. In the preparation process of the study, data is collected according to the document analysis method using primary and secondary sources within the framework of the qualitative data collection method, and the obtained data is analyzed with document and text analysis. The use of smart power strategy in Turkey's foreign policy practices towards Somalia is initiated with humanitarian and development aids where soft power elements are intensively used, and is simultaneously developed with political, economic, security and defense relations. While developing relations between the two countries, humanitarian diplomacy is prioritized, they act as two equal states in accordance with international norms, and the principles of win-win and consent are taken into consideration at every stage. When the literature covering Türkiye-Somalia relations is examined, it is striking that the concept of smart power is not sufficiently addressed. It is evaluated that this study, which examines Türkiye-Somalia relations in the context of the use of smart power strategy, can bring a different perspective and expand the scope of existing studies in the literature because it addresses the relations between the two countries from the perspective of smart power strategy. Keywords: Turkish Foreign Policy, Smart Power, African Initiative, Türkiye-Somalia relations, security, defense and energy cooperation.