THE NORMALIZATION OF TURKEY–SAUDI ARABIA RELATIONS IN THE ERDOĞAN ERA: STRATEGIC INTERESTS AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20961/cmes.18.1.97112Keywords:
Erdoğan, Relations, Saudi Arabia, Normalization, TurkeyAbstract
The relationship between Turkey and Saudi Arabia has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, particularly under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This article seeks to analyze the underlying factors behind the normalization process between the two countries, considering not only political, economic, and security dimensions but also the often-overlooked ideological aspect. Historically, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have maintained opposing ideological stances, particularly regarding their positions on Islamist movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood. This study employs a qualitative methodology based on a comprehensive literature review and secondary data analysis. The findings indicate that the normalization is driven by multiple factors, including political alignment, ideological recalibration, economic interests, and security concerns. Moreover, international responses to this normalization have been mixed, with some countries expressing support while others remain critica.
Downloads
References
Ahval. (2022). Saudi Arabia, Turkey Announce New Era of Cooperation in Bilateral Ties. Ahvalnews. https://ahvalnews.com/saudi-turkey/saudi-arabia-turkey-announce-new-era-cooperation-bilateral-ties
Al-Arian, A. (2020, Juni 5). Qatar-Gulf Crisis: Your Questions Answered. Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/6/5/qatar-gulf-crisis-your-questions-answered
Alfian, M. A. (t.t.). Militer dan Politik di Turki. Penjuru Ilmu sejati.
Al-Haj, S. (2017). Analysis: The Implications of the Qatar-Turkey Alliance. Aljazeera.com. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/6/18/analysis-the-implications-of-the-qatar-turkey-alliance
Avni, B. (2014). Turkey Loses U.N. Security Council Seat in Huge Upset. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/venezuela-malaysia-angola-new-zealand-win-un-council-seats-277962
Aydintasbas. (2018). Erdoğan The Nationalist Vs Erdoğan The Islamist. Hoover Institution. https://www.hoover.org/research/Erdoğan-nationalist-vs-Erdoğan-Islamist
Balta, E. (2024). Turkey’s Foreign Policy after the 2023 Elections: Strategic Balancing in a Polarized Region. Foreign Affairs Review.
Barston, R. P. (2014). Modern Diplomacy. Routledge.
Bimo, E. S. (2022, April 30). Turki dan Arab Saudi Sepakat Perbaiki Hubungan saat Erdoğan Berkunjung ke Riyadh. Kompas. https://www.kompas.tv/article/284771/turki-dan-arab-saudi-sepakat-perbaiki-hubungan-saat-Erdoğan-berkunjung-ke-riyadh#google_vignette
Cakmak, B. N. (2022, April 20). Erdoğan: Turki dan Arab Saudi Berupaya Tingkatkan Semua Jenis Hubungan. Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/id/dunia/Erdoğan-turki-dan-arab-saudi-berupaya-tingkatkan-semua-jenis-hubungan/2575911
Callamard, A. (2019). The Report of the Special Ropportuer on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary executions: Investigation into the ulawful death of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi.
Chulov, M. (2018, Oktober). Jamal Khashoggi: Murder in The Consulate. The Guardian News. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/21/death-of-dissident-jamal-khashoggi-mohammed-bin-salman
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approach. Sage Publication.
Crocker, R. (2018). Saudi Arabian-Turkish Rivalry in the Middle East. Middle East Policy Council, XXV. https://mepc.org/journal/Saudi-arabian-Turkish-rivalry-middle-east
Daily Sabah. (2024). Saudi-Turkish Economic Ties Enter ‘Golden Era.’ Daily Sabah. dailysabah.com
Faruq, K. (2022, Juni 25). Turki Kesulitan Keuangan, Erdoğan Terpaksa “Berdamai” dengan Arab Saudi. Ivoox. https://ivoox.id/turki-kesulitan-keuangan-Erdoğan-terpaksa-berdamai-dengan-arab-saudi?tag_from=turki-arab-saudi
Joseph, S. N. (2018). Public Diplomacy and Soft power. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social.
Kadriyah, S. M., & Aziz, A. (2024). Tantangan & Dinamika Politik Gender di Dunia Islam: Analisis Komparatif Mesir, Turki, Dan Arab SaudI. Jurnal Tapis: Teropong Aspirasi Politik Islam, 20(1), 141–165.
King, T. (t.t.). Secularism in France. Prospect Magazine. https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/secularisminfrance
Kusumadewi, A. (2017, Juni 11). Di Balik Keputusan Erdoğan “Bentengi” Qatar dari Saudi. Kumparan News. https://kumparan.com/kumparannews/di-balik-keputusan-Erdoğan-bentengi-qatar-dari-saudi
Mahatma, F. (2019). Arab Saudi Serukan Boikot Liburan ke Turki dan Semua Produknya, Buntut Pembunuhan Jamal Khashoggi. Tribun News. https://wartakota.tribunnews.com/2019/07/12/arab-saudi-serukan-boikot-liburan-ke-turki-dan-semua-produknya-buntut-pembunuhan-jamal-khashoggi
Mashuri, I. K. (2022, Juni 27). Turki Kembali ke Lingkungan Arab. Republika. https://www.republika.id/posts/29353/turki-kembali-ke-lingkungan-arab
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis. Sage Publication.
Newsweekme. (2017). Doha‟s Actions May Destabilize the Region: Saudi Minister. Newsweekme. https://newsme.com/dohas-actions-may-destabilize-the-region-saudi-minister/
Ozkan, M. (2017). Turkey In the Islamic World: An Instituional Perspective. Foundation for Midlle East and Balkan Studies, 169.
Ozturk, A. E. (2022). Between Islamic Brotherhood and Realpolitik: Turkey–Saudi Arabia Relations. Middle East Critique.
Parti, A. (2012). 2023 Siyasi Vizyonu: Siyaset, Toplum, Dunya (Political Vision 2023: Politics, Society, World). AK Parti Genel Merkezi.
Patton, M., & Cochran, M. (2002). A Guide to Using Qualitative Research Methodology. Medicins Sans Frontieres.
Pristiandaru, D. L. (2022, April 30). Erdoğan: Turki dan Arab Saudi Akan Aktifkan Potensi Ekonomi Akbar. Kompas. https://www.kompas.com/global/read/2022/04/30/214500870/Erdoğan--turki-dan-arab-saudi-akan-aktifkan-potensi-ekonomi-akbar?page=all
Saudeli, G. (2018, November 10). A timeline of Jamal Khashoggi Murders. DW News. https://www.dw.com/en/a-timeline-of-jamal-khashoggis-murder/a-46228007
Sholihah, N., Ummah, A. K., Wargadinata, W., & Jannah, H. (2023). Transformation of the Roles of Saudi Arabian Women Post-Implementation of the “Saudi Vision 2030” in the Perspective of Modernism. Center of Middle Eastern Studies (CMES), 16(2), 201–210. https://doi.org/10.20961/cmes.16.2.69354
Suprio, A. (2013). Inilah Akar Konflik Arab Saudi dan Ikhwanul Muslimin. Republika. https://www.republika.co.id/berita/msl0c5/inilah-akar-konflik-arab-saudi-dan-ikhwanul-muslimin
Tekines, K. (2023). Regional Realignment after the Gulf Reconciliation: Turkey’s Strategy Toward the GCC States. Turkish Journal of International Relations.
Ustun, C. (2010). Turkey and European Security Defence Policy. Tauris Academic Studies.
Wearing, D. (2018, November 16). One Month After Jamal Khashoggi’s Killing, What’s Left of Saudi Soft power? Frieze News. https://frieze.com/article/one-month-after-jamal-khashoggis-killing-whats-left-Saudi-soft-power
Wijaya, A. M. (2024). Analisis Politik Luar Negeri Arab Saudi Dalam upaya Melakukan Normalisasi Arab Saudi-Israel. Journal of Integrative International Relations, 9(2), 70–81. https://doi.org/10.15642/jiir.2024.9.2.70-81
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Hayyi Lana Alkhan, Ahmad Fauzi, Aning Kesuma Putri (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.









