Ontological Insecurity and Emotional Governance in Turkish Foreign Policy Karel Franco Valansi & Erman Ermihan https://www.globacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GA-Reports-Ontological-Insecurity-and-Emotional-Governance-in-Turkish-Foreign-Policy.pdf February 2026 Abstract This paper examines how ontological insecurity and emotional governance shape Turkish foreign policy behavior under the Justice and Development Party (AKP). Moving beyond rationalist assumptions, it argues that Türkiye’s assertive and often reactive diplomacy reflects a struggle for a stable self-identity amid shifting regional hierarchies and perceived external threats. Emotional narratives—particularly pride, humiliation, and resentment—play a central role in legitimizing foreign policy decisions and framing Türkiye’s relations with the West, the Middle East, and domestic audiences. Understanding this emotional-ontological nexus offers crucial insights into Türkiye’s sometimes unpredictable foreign pol...