Factors that shaped Turkey’s response to Syrian war (2011-2024) and Pakistan’s reaction towards Afghan war (1979-1989): In Comparative Perspective

Abstract

The world is anarchic, and every state’s action is determined by the anarchic system in which a state aims survival, self-help, and distribution of the power among states. The state’s action is determined by the international structures rather than ideologies and moralities. This research paper is conducted through Comparative analysis of the structural factors behind Turkey’s response to Syrian war (2011-2024) and Pakistan’s response towards Afghan war (1979-1989) in context of Neorealism. Themes are developed in order to find out comparisons between both case-studies. Similarities and differences are found out in the study. Many researchers criticized the reactions of Turkey and Pakistan toward Syrian war (2011-2024) and Afghan War (1979-1989) respectively, but no attention was paid by them to study that how the regional changes, international gravity, alliance systems, convergence and divergence of interests with ally, strategic interests of the states and desire for friendly government in the neighboring states were the factors that compelled the both state to shape their actions. In this comparative case-studies research it is established that there were many similarities as well as differences that compelled Turkey and Pakistan to take their foreign policy decisions in the wake of Syrian war (2011-2024) and Afghan war (1979-1989) respectively particularly in the context of Neorealism.