Turkey's Increasing role in Afghanistan

Abstract

This paper is briefly dealing with the current situation in Afghanistan within the context of Turkey’s increasing role in Afghanistan. TurkishAfghani relations are examined in terms of politics and economy while Turkish foreign policies towards Afghanistan and the TurkishPakistani-Afghani triple summit attempts are analyzed. Additionally, Turkey’s security and socio-economic contributions in Afghanistan are emphasized. Turkey’s unwillingness to send troops to Afghanistan for operational purposes that is frequently debated in national and international circles has been evaluated by stating the advantages and disadvantages of such decision. Turkey’s quiet approach between 2001 and 2004 towards Afghanistan, which have been energizing since 2005 and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s visit to Afghanistan on June 2009 have been dealt as well. By considering Davutoglu’s policies, aiming to introduce Turkey as a global actor and as the term President of the UNSC (the UN Security Council), it seems that Turkey is preparing to play a more active role in Afghanistan.