The Rise of Türkiye as a Foreign Aid Actor (2014-2024) Through the Lens of Complex Realism

This chapter examines Türkiye’s evolving role as a foreign aid actor between 2014 and 2024 through the analytical lens of Complex Realism. While Türkiye’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) has drawn increasing scholarly interest, much of the existing literature treats its foreign aid strategy through isolated lenses—focusing either on soft power, domestic political motives, or regional geopolitics. What remains lacking is an integrated framework capable of accounting for how these dimensions intersect and evolve. This chapter addresses that gap by exploring how domestic political objectives, regional ambitions, and global strategic interests under the leadership of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) have shaped Türkiye’s ODA trajectory. The chapter employs Raymond Hinnebusch’s Complex Realism framework to analyze Türkiye’s foreign aid as both a humanitarian instrument and a geopolitical tool. This approach is particularly well-suited to Türkiye’s context, given its transcontinental identity, shifting alliances, and concurrent pursuit of domestic legitimacy, regional influence, and global recognition. Four illustrative case studies—Syria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Somalia, and Kyrgyzstan— demonstrate the multifaceted motivations behind aid allocation, including soft power projection, economic interests, and security considerations. Central to this analysis are the roles of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), which have enabled Türkiye to expand its influence across multiple regions. Drawing on official government documents, policy reports, and academic literature, the chapter argues that Türkiye’s ODA functions as a mechanism for projecting national identity, consolidating political legitimacy, and enhancing regional and global influence.