WHAT WENT WRONG WITH THE "ZERO PROBLEM WITH NEIGHBORS" DOCTRINE?

Abstract

With the "Arab Spring", long-standing institutional structures have turned upside down both within the region and in Turkey's relations with the regional states. Turkey's "zero problem" doctrine has been called into question ever since the demonstrations in Syria have turned into violent clashes between the supporters of Assad's regime and the protestors, leading Turkey to take on a tough stance against the Syrian regime, and marring Turkey's relations with Iran and Iraq. In addition to the domestic factors that affected the pace of events in Syria, it is equally crucial to consider a number of external factors. The position of Iran and Russia on the one side, and Israel and the United States on the other, have had a decisive impact on the course of events in Syria, significantly constraining Turkey from pursuing its own interests in the region.