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School of Politics and International Relations
   
   
  

Kizmaz, Efsun


  EfsunKizmaz
 


Research Topic

The effects of Turkish Foreign Policy over Turkish Defense Industry Policies

This research question aims to point out the correlation between Turkish foreign policy and defense industry policies. In this research, Turkey’s political and security relationship between US, Israel and the EU is evaluated according to their effects over Turkish defense industry and weapons procurement policies. Defense industry policies, which are related with states’ foreign policy and security assessments, are overhauled according to changes in these policies. The development of the defense industry is an early phenomenon in Turkey. Not only the aim of self-sufficiency in weapons production but also the Turkish geographical position creates an underlying tension for developing a domestic defense industry. Turkey has been facing several threats within its vicinity, such as Tehran’s ambition to acquire WMD, political turmoil in Iraq, crises situation in the Caucasus. These “possible” military threats have Turkish defense policy makers formulate their objectives to acquire an indigenous defense industry. This process, because of the requirements of investments in R&D, necessitates international cooperation with advanced industrial states. In that case, Turkey collaborate with states that it has strong relationship. In this research, the question, whether there would be any changes in ongoing defense projects in times of a foreign policy crises or not, will be focused on. Moreover, how Turkish foreign policy affects Turkish defense industry policy in general terms, is also evaluated in this research project.

Research Supervisors

Dr Catherine Gegout and Professor Wyn Rees

Primary Funding Source

Self-funded 


Research Interests

  • Security Studies
  • Military Strategies
  • Defense Policies and Weapons Procurement Policies
  • Political Economy of Defense
  • Turkish Foreign Policy
  • Turkey’s Defense Industry Policies

Publications 

  • Kizmaz, Efsun (2010), Turkish Defense Industry and the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries,  Germany:Lambert Publishings
  • Kizmaz Efsun (2010), “ Anti-Americanism in Turkey: A Historical Perspective”  in  N.B.Criss, The Cold War, the USA and Turkey, İstanbul: Bilgi University Publishing 

School of Politics and International Relations

University of Nottingham
University Park, Nottingham
NG7 2RD

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