Turkey and Its Quest for Leadership Role in the West Asian Region

Turkey is one of the major regional powers in west Asia. Born from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire, turkey has taken time to consolidate and establish itself as a prosperous modern state. It has overcome military coups and economic crisis in past decades and is now emerging as revitalized country with a host of opportunities for expansion. The countries of the region have often seen it with contempt and suspicion due to the ottoman legacy as also its western orientation in earlier part of its short modern history. However, turkey under the leadership of current prime minister western orientation in earlier part of its short modern history. however, turkey under the leadership of current prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and its visionary forgien minister Ahmet Davutoglu have, over the past decade reoriented Turkish policies in an attempt to not only befriend the neighbourhood but also emerge as a major interlocutor and a potential leader in the region. Although, initial attempts and especially the forgien policy intiative of "zero problem with neighbours" yielded initial success, the recent Arab uprisings as well as other domestic challenges are forcing a rethink in Turkey. Rapidly changing balance of power in the region, its acceptance within the region and the Islamic world and its ability to balance its domestic and regional issues will dicate turkey’s future in the region in the coming years.