Ankara's Expanding Reach: Diplomacy or Dollar Diplomacy?
When Ankara deploys military assets from Syria to Somalia, analysts, as reported by outlets like the Daily Sabah, often laud it as a demonstration of newfound 'diplomatic clout' and 'soft power.' The narrative suggests an altruistic expansion of influence, projecting stability and security across contested regions. This framing neatly sidesteps the deeper financial and geopolitical currents at
play, presenting military action as a benevolent expansion of strategic reach. Yet, a closer look reveals that these deployments are often intertwined with significant economic interests. In Libya, for example, Ankara's military support to the Government of National Accord, commencing in 2019, was swiftly followed by maritime agreements securing access to contested East Mediterranean energy
reserves, sparking immediate objections from Greece and Egypt. Similarly, in Somalia, Türkiye secured a lucrative oil and gas exploration deal in March 2024, just weeks after signing a defense and economic cooperation agreement that formalized its naval presence in the Red Sea. These are not merely diplomatic gestures; they are calculated investments. This pattern of military intervention
preceding or coinciding with economic treaties echoes historical precedents, from colonial land grabs to modern resource extraction agreements. The 'diplomatic clout' described is often a direct consequence of establishing a military footprint that protects or enables resource exploitation and trade routes. When a nation’s military presence in a fragile state leads directly to significant