Analyzing the Transformations of National Defense Industry in the formation of Turkey's hard power in the Middle East and North Africa (2011-2021)

Since the Arab Spring commenced in 2011, Turkey has increasingly relied on military tools in its foreign policy. Military force is the most important indicator of displaying hard power, especially in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Ankara has shifted to a hard-power approach to secure itself from threats in and achieve its aspirations of becoming a regional power. Turkey’s military activism and assertive policies during the last few years would not have been possible without strong homegrown defense capabilities and drone power. Therefore, the question of this research is how the developments in the National Defense Industry (NDI), as the most important axis of the country's activity, have affected the increase of Turkey's hard power in the Middle East and North Africa from 2011 to 2021? This article uses John Mearsheimer's offensive realism theoretical framework to answer this question. This research is qualitative, descriptive and analytical. The method of data collection has done in a library manner, and articles, books and websites have been used.