The Impact of Turkey's Policy toward Syria on Human Security

Turkey's changing policy toward Syria since the start of the Syrian uprisings in March 2011 has had major cultural, economic, social, and political implications for the people of the city of Hatay, which is located on the Turkey-Syria border and is home to people of diverse ethnicities and religions. This article explores how the problematic relations between Syria and Turkey following the uprisings in Syria have shaped perceptions of human security, examining in particular the impact of the discourse used and the policies followed by Turkey during the civil war in Syria on the security perceptions of the people of Hatay. It is suggested that Turkey's policy toward Syria and the resulting social, economic, and political repercussions for Hatay have fueled perceptions of insecurity for both Syrian refugees and the residents of the city.