Progress in Turkish International Relations

There are certainly grounds for optimism when it comes to progress in Turkish  international relations (IR). Turkish academia has come a long way since the  1960s. The rapid expansion of IR study in Turkish academia can be attributed  to the expansion in the Turkish educational system, especially after 1980, and  the rising importance of international relations through globalization. Turkish  society has very large potential for future work in IR, with many highly qualified  scholars. Compared to a few decades ago, more IR articles are being authored  by Turkish scholars, both abroad and in Turkey. The question now is how Turkish  scholars can become an even stronger voice in the international academic  community. In this paper, I suggest better collaboration with government and  universities to develop better PhD programs, participate in PhD consortiums  and establish stronger links with the international community.