This course will explore the story of Turkey's relations with the main middle eastern states since the 1920s, within the context of its wider foreign policy concerns. Opening classes will cover the historical background of Turkish policies in the region between 1945 and 1960, Turkey's interests and capacities in the region, the linkage between regional policies and Turkey's relations with the superpowers, and the role of economic factors. Subsequent sessions will deal with Turkey's policies towards the main regional states, closing with Turkey's position in the first and second Gulf wars (1991, 2003) and an overall assessment of the evolution of Turkish policy and interests.