The motivations of Turkey and South Korea for sending troops to peace operations : UNOSOM II, UNIFIL II, and ISAF

Abstract

Since the end of the Cold War, Turkey and South Korea have been actively participating in peace operations. Both states have many commonalities, such as substantial economic and military capabilities, considerable regional political influence, and strong relationships with the United States. Another similarity they share is in terms of their decisions to send troops to relatively risky operations in which they have no direct economic or strategic interests. The aim of this thesis is to find out the decisive motivations of Turkey and South Korea, which could both be identified as “allied new middle powers,” for sending troops to the post-Cold War peace operations. Through analyzing the processes that led up to Turkey’s and South Korea’s decisions to participate in UNOSOM II, UNIFIL II, and ISAF, I have reached a conclusion that both states are highly motivated by future-oriented ideational considerations, namely, their intentions to become multi-regional or global actors in the new era. I have also discovered that indirect security concerns, the domestic factors, and potential economic benefits are less influential motivating factors for both Turkey and South Korea.