‘No Boutique State’: Understanding the Debate on Turkey’s Involvement in Afghanistan

The debate about Turkish involvement in Afghanistan had provided interesting clues about the parameters of Turkish foreign policy in general and Turkish perceptions of the future of Afghanistan in particular. The debate revealed two competing visions for Turkish foreign policy among political actors. The AK Party had so far been pragmatic enough to recalibrate Turkey’s policy on Syria, Iran, and Afghanistan and work in tandem with the United States. The West could count on cooperation from Turkey, provided that it developed a nuanced understanding of the sensitivities of the ruling AK Party.