States pursue nuclear programs for different reasons with different ways, and those differences matter a lot when it comes to proliferation issues. Understanding the dynamics of the nuclear programs any country pursues—which nuclear options are available to that particular state, which strategy that state might select and why, and what the international community can do to about it is critical to the Non-Proliferation regime under NPT. As a rising power, Turkey’s interests in nuclear area has increased over the years due to growing energy and status needs. Even though it has a very clean nonproliferation record coupled with strong ties with Western countries, Turkey positions itself against any international efforts to constrain states’ rights to the peaceful use of nuclear energy under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Therefore, security dimension of Turkey’s nuclear activities are critical to the regional and international security. In this sense, understanding Turkey’s quest for nuclear capability, which doesn’t necessarily mean that Turkey pursue acquisition of nuclear weapons, should be systematically analyzed and should be considered as a part of broader dynamics that drives states pursue or not pursue nuclear proliferation. The aim of this paper is to summarize, synthetize, update and contextualize Turkey’s non-proliferation policies and link it to the broader discussion on the future of the nuclear non-proliferation regime.
Non-Proliferation, Proliferation, Turkey, NPT, Nuclear Diplomacy
