Turkey pursues regional security through new Middle East alliances

Turkey is implementing a foreign policy strategy termed “regional ownership” to strengthen security cooperation in the Middle East. Under this approach, Ankara has played an active role in establishing the Mecca alliance with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, as well as the Badr Alliance involving Qatar, Pakistan, and Indonesia.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has advocated for this policy, arguing that regional issues are best resolved through cooperation mechanisms formed by local countries rather than through the intervention of external powers, which he suggests can exacerbate instability. The strategy aims to create a new regional security architecture while simultaneously opening new markets for Turkey’s expanding defense industry.

Following diplomatic efforts by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister Fidan since June 2023, several institutional mechanisms have been established, including the R4 mechanism designed to support permanent stability and strengthen dialogue on regional matters.