Antalya Diplomatic Forum (ADF) Highlights Turkey’s Strong Diplomatic Policy
The Antalya Diplomatic Forum (ADF), which took place last weekend, demonstrated that Turkish foreign policy would continue to emphasize diplomacy despite the pessimistic climate created by wars and conflicts in the region. The content of this traditional international conference somewhat expressed Turkey’s energy to produce common political solutions on almost all subjects, given its geopolitical position at the heart of historical fractures and conflicts, and will continue to do so.
It goes without saying that Turkey must, while building a strong capacity for national defense and security, also strengthen its diplomatic power. Beyond mastering hard and soft power instruments in shaping its foreign policy, Turkey is widely recognized for showing decisive leadership in these two domains. By transitioning from a vision that confined it to a mere arm or extension of alliances to one of a
country exporter of regional instability. The political performance of Al-Charaa over the past year and a half has allowed him to both consolidate internal stability and gain international recognition.
It is worth noting that Turkey’s contribution, which has never given up diplomacy with the United States, Europe, Russia, and Iran for years, has been decisive in the current evolution of Syria. Despite tensions with regional and global powers and significant costs incurred, Turkey has acted by considering its neighbor’s security as an extension of its own. Not hesitating, at times, to resort to military force, it has succeeded in remaining present at all negotiation tables on Syria. This diplomatic insistence has greatly contributed to regional stability.
Debates on Ending War at Antalya Forum
As in every edition, the Antalya forum hosted rich and varied sessions covering regional issues from Central Asia to Africa, the Middle East to the Balkans, and debates on the international system. These exchanges, nourishing both theoretical reflection and diplomatic practice in Turkey, will leave a lasting impression, as well as the contacts made with political officials, diplomats, and thinkers.
It is also important to emphasize the significance of informal interactions and discussions
on the sidelines of the official sessions. A significant portion of the debates naturally focused on a possible war between the United States and Iran. The contradictory information, sometimes broadcast on the same day, announcing alternately the end or continuation of the conflict, influenced the tone of these discussions. Observing experts’ analyses on the reasons why the war could end or not, in a context of constant breaking news, has also helped to broaden our understanding.
The presence of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Antalya, a key figure in Islamabad talks, illustrated Turkey’s central role in diplomatic efforts to end the war with Iran.
