Scalpels, Sovereignty, and Soft Power: How Türkiye Is Healing Somalia
Türkiye is exerting its influence in Somalia through a unique blend of charity and strategy, as exemplified by the Erdoğan Hospital.
Opened in 2015, the hospital is a 250-bed, multi-specialty facility that serves as a diplomatic statement, complete with burn units, operating theaters, and intensive care wards.
We're not just fixing your lungs; we're fixing our reputation.
According to Dr. Ali Muhammed Varsame, a thoracic surgeon and humanitarian, this approach is not only about providing medical care but also about rebuilding Türkiye's reputation.
The hospital symbolizes Ankara's foreign policy formula: charity plus strategy equals influence, marking a significant shift from the Ottoman Empire's historical approach of sending soldiers and scholars.
Author's summary: Türkiye exerts soft power in Somalia through medical aid.