The debates surrounding Grand Strategy have already been outlined in the introduction of this volume. Grand strategy, which may or may not take the form of a specific doctrine, is just as much a peace time endeavour as a war-time pursuit, perhaps even more so. As Jones notes, Grand Strategy is “the conceptual logic that determines how such means are used to pursue core interests”. This may involve trade-offs, restraint, and the consideration of long-term interests when formulating short and medium-term policies.

The soundness of a grand strategic framework, whether codified or uncodified, is not guaranteed. There are good and bad Grand Strategies. To evaluate the extent to which Grand Strategy has been successful, one needs to determine whether the means have led to the desired objective. This chapter will demonstrate that Turkey's Grand Strategy, identified through the writings, thinking and activities of its leaders, has failed under the Justice and Development Party (AKP) which has been in power since 2002. Turkey's ambition to be a global power at peace with its neighbours, which has been the ultimate end of its Grand Strategy since 2002, has not been realised. Instead, Turkey is isolated and embroiled in multiple conflicts.

This chapter offers a brief overview of Turkey's strategic orientation since its establishment in 1923 through to the post-World War II period. During this time and after the fall of communism in Europe, Ankara had a consistent strategic conception that Turkey's security was best served by balancing with the West against the Soviet threat. It goes on to analyse the period after 2002 when Turkey's powerful military was losing its influence over political affairs and the strategic decision-making process. It is explained that under the AKP, Turkey followed a strategic approach which sought to promote Turkey's international position as a major regional and international power through its “Zero Problems” with neighbours strategy. However, this chapter will detail why this strategic approach ultimately failed to secure Turkey's envisaged place as a global power.