Turks Increasingly Disapprove of Obama's BFF Erdogan's Mideast Policy.

Turks Increasingly Disapprove of Obama's BFF Erdogan's Mideast Policy.HT: Aina.

Following the annual survey on "Perceptions of Turkey in the Middle East," conducted by the Economic and Social Studies Foundation of Turkey (TESEV), the Kadir Has University of Istanbul has published its research on foreign policy perceptions of the Turkish public.

The two complementary reports provide useful data for everyone concerned, especially governmental authorities.

TESEV found in its survey, which was conducted in 16 Middle Eastern and North African countries, that Turkey's influence and popularity had suffered losses in the last two to three years.
Kadir Has University's research in 26 Turkish provinces indicates a trend of declining support for the government's foreign policy. Only 25% of those surveyed found Turkey's foreign policy successful, while in 2011 and 2012, respectively, this was 35% and 34%. Those who said Turkey's foreign policy was unsuccessful now comprise 36%.

The most important factor of this regression in public support for foreign policy is undoubtedly the government's Middle East policy and its recent handling of the Egyptian and Syrian issues.

This trend is clearly visible in Syria. While 49% of respondents find Turkey's Syrian policy a failure, supporters have dwindled to 24%. Those who want Turkey to remain neutral and not intervene in any manner are 43%. Those who support military intervention are at 9%.

These figures affirm another reality already pointed to by other sources: the public doesn't support the government's Syria policy and doesn't want Turkey get involved.

Similarly there is a trend of opposition to the government's Egypt policy. Those who find this policy unsuccessful are 48%, while those who support it are 29%. Furthermore, 46% say that the government must recognize the current Egyptian administration. 

Only 8% of respondents want Turkey to help oust military rule in Egypt. This reflects a rejection of the Turkish government's post-coup policy among a wide segment of the Turkish public.

The comprehensive research by Kadir Has University reveals some striking findings. For example, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently brought the Shangai Cooperation Organization to the agenda, but the percentage of those who it see as an alternative for Turkey is a very low 9%. 

NATO and the EU lead the organizations that people want Turkey to associate with. Support for NATO is 72%, while 47% favor EU membership and 38% do not.

Another interesting result was Azerbaijan replacing Pakistan as the "best friend of Turkey," yet 38% declare Turkey has no friends at all.
By Sami Kohen
AL Monitor
Translated by Timur Goksel.