DUKUNGAN TURKI KEPADA QATAR DALAM KONFLIK DENGAN NEGARA GCC 2017-2021

Abstract

This article analyzes Turkey’s strategic support for Qatar during the 2017–2021 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) diplomatic crisis, which involved a regional blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt. While most regional actors distanced themselves from Qatar, Turkey provided assertive support in the form of military deployments, economic assistance, and diplomatic solidarity. Employing a descriptive qualitative method and a neorealist theoretical framework, this study explores Turkey’s motivations and policy choices during the crisis. Findings reveal that Turkey’s actions were guided by multifaceted national interests, including geopolitical positioning, ideological alignment with Qatar, defense cooperation, and economic investments. The research argues that Turkey's involvement was not merely an emotional or reactionary response, but a calculated move to enhance its influence in the Middle East and strengthen its role in Islamic geopolitics. Turkey’s support enabled Qatar to overcome several strategic disadvantages during the blockade while also improving Ankara’s regional reputation. This study contributes to the broader understanding of how middle powers navigate regional tensions through assertive foreign policy. Ultimately, Turkey’s approach during the crisis illustrates a shift toward more independent, interest-driven foreign policy behavior that reflects Ankara’s evolving role in global security affairs.