In international relations, there has long been a debate between hard power and soft power. Türkiye's position, however, is beyond both of these approaches.
Unlike colonial powers, Türkiye's foreign policy tradition is rooted in a culture of solidarity that takes into account not only its own interests but also those of the countries with which it engages.
Of course, Türkiye is not a country that neglects hard power. On the contrary, it continues to strengthen its capabilities day by day. In recent years, assessments have suggested that European states have struggled to establish a common security ecosystem. Türkiye has been comparatively more successful in this regard and has drawn considerable attention.
Yet Türkiye's foreign policy extends far beyond military and diplomatic instruments. It is represented across the world through a broad social network encompassing the humanitarian activities of civil society organisations; the work of institutions such as Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE), the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), and the Maarif Foundation; the presence of international students at Turkish universities; and even the migrant communities arriving from Iraq, Syria and many other countries.
