ИСТИНА

The paper argues that the traditional notion of the 'Western alliance' is no longer relevant for Ankara, which has instead adopted a more effective approach dominated by its own diplomatic agenda. In recent years, the Turkish leader has involved himself in international developments to the advantage of Turkey’s national interests. Erdoğan’s criticism of the EU and the U.S. is not incompatible with his efforts to align Turkish and Western interests. If anything, he uses that criticism to promote cooperation. Those who criticize Erdoğan’s foreign policy, citing the state of Turkey’s relations with the West, must realize that the rules of the old liberal order no longer apply – there are new dynamics at play. People who think Turkey’s international standing can be improved by going back to 2011 or 2012 and reviving the romantic notion of “the Turkish model,” fail to grasp the full extent of the challenges Turkey has encountered since 2013.