Global Geopolitical Shifts and Türkiye’s Strategic Rise in The Belt and Road Initiative

Abstract

This study analyses how global geopolitical developments have shaped the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and how these shifts have redefined Türkiye’s role within the Initiative. The findings reveal that escalating security risks and regional instabilities have rendered the Northern and Southern Corridors increasingly difficult to navigate, thereby enhancing the strategic significance of the Middle Corridor. Consequently, Türkiye’s position within the BRI has gained unprecedented importance, aligning with broader geopolitical transformations and evolving global trade dynamics. The study begins with a comprehensive assessment of the BRI, followed by an analysis of the geopolitical and economic ramifications of recent global developments. The shifting international order and its impact on China’s strategies are examined, with a particular emphasis on Türkiye-China relations within the framework of the BRI. The study highlights Türkiye’s geostrategic and logistical advantages, illustrating how its enhanced role in the initiative is a direct outcome of changing global power balances and trade realignments. As traditional trade corridors face mounting security and political challenges, Türkiye has emerged as a pivotal actor in facilitating transcontinental connectivity. This study explains how the changing geopolitical context has strengthened Türkiye’s position in the Belt and Road Initiative, emphasizing its role as a critical bridge between Asia and Europe and a key player in the restructuring of global trade routes.

Keywords

• Belt and Road Initiative
• geopolitics
• logistics
• increasing importance of Türkiye

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