Quo Vadis Turkey-GCC States Relations? A Turkish Perspective

Abstract

With the growing need for more cooperative relations in the face of Iran's assertive foreign policy following Saddam's fall, Turkey's importance as a counterbalancing country in the region increased in the eyes of the GCC states. In a similar vein, Gulf markets, and energy resources offered great opportunities for Turkey's expanding economy. Both sides, therefore, managed to keep cordial relations despite some diverging interests following the Syrian crisis. However, the Qatar crisis brought the existing problem areas between Turkey and the GCC states, to the surface. This article will focus on these problem areas by taking into consideration the reasons for dramatic changes in both sides' relations following the coup attempt in Turkey and Trump's visit to Riyadh.