Soap operas don’t help Turkey gain Arab world approval

Soap operas don’t help Turkey gain Arab world approval

PanARMENIAN.Net - Over the past decade Turkey may have significantly boosted its profile in the Middle East, but it still has a large gap to close between its expectations and capabilities in order to become a true “regional power,” says a study by the Ankara-based International Strategic Research Organization (USAK).

According to Hurriyet Daily News, the report, which examined Turkey’s clout in the diplomatic, economic and “soft power” areas, called for comprehensive joint efforts by the state, the private sector and civic society in all three fields as “a great disparity exists between the role that Turkey wants to play and the capacity it has.”

It also cautioned that Turkey’s newly-found regional influence could be short-lived. “We cannot say that regional actors, be them small or big, are following Turkey’s lead. The current attention accorded to Turkey is at the level of just sympathy. Any mistakes or Arab misunderstanding of certain rhetoric or policies hold the potential of quickly eroding the favorable attitudes that Turkey enjoys,” it said.

The study found that the Turkish Foreign Ministry was severely underfunded and understaffed when compared to those of leading nations. Its budget of €436 million is the lowest among 10 countries, including both global heavyweights and emerging powers, such as India and Brazil.

The study also cautioned that the popularity of Turkish soap operas in Arab countries does not necessarily mean there is a positive perception of Turkey.

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