The Geostrategic and Socio-Economic Repercussions of the First Gulf War on Turkiye

The 1991 Gulf War constituted a watershed moment for Turkish foreign policy, precipitating a shift from traditional neutrality to active engagement within the emerging "New World Order". Seeking to reaffirm its geopolitical relevance as a "frontline state" in the post-Cold War era, Turkey aligned closely with the US-led coalition, enforcing UN embargoes and hosting Operation Provide Comfort. However, this strategic reorientation entailed severe national security costs. The resulting authority vacuum in Northern Iraq exacerbated the PKK threat, leading to the "securitization" of Turkish foreign policy and the prioritization of hard power over diplomacy throughout the 1990s. Additionally, the mass influx of refugees and the cessation of border trade triggered a profound socio-economic crisis in Southeastern Turkey. This study examines these dynamics, arguing that while the war solidified Turkey's ties with the West, it simultaneously imported regional instability, fundamentally altering the country’s security paradigm.