WAR, REFUGEES, AND STATE POLICY: TURKEY’S RESPONSE TO THE SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS THROUGH A REALIST LENS

This thesis examines Turkey’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis within an integrated historical, political, and legal framework. It traces the origins of the Syrian civil war, from the concentration of power in the al-Assad dynasty to the 2011 uprisings and the subsequent international escalation, highlighting how internal regime dynamics and external pressures contributed to a major humanitarian crisis. The study then focuses on Turkey’s management of refugees, including the evolution of bilateral relations with Syria, the adoption of reception policies and temporary protection measures, and the social and humanitarian consequences for the refugees themselves. The analysis of the 2016 EU–Turkey agreement demonstrates how international cooperation intersects with national and regional strategic interests, showing the use of refugees as a tool of foreign policy. Using a realist perspective, the thesis connects Turkey’s political choices to issues of security, border control, and diplomatic leverage, providing a coherent interpretation of the so-called “Turkish model” and its implications for domestic stability, relations with the European Union, and regional balance.