Research Article

SOFT POWER RIVALRY IN CENTRAL ASIA: RUSSIA AND TURKIYE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES

Number: 76 September 14, 2026
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SOFT POWER RIVALRY IN CENTRAL ASIA: RUSSIA AND TURKIYE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES

Abstract

This study analyzes the evolving dynamics of Russian and Turkish soft power strategies in Central Asia, particularly focusing on the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Russia aimed to re-establish influence across Central Asia while Turkiye sought to fill the power vacuum through its ties with the Turkic states in the region. Whereas its Soviet legacy, linguistic ties, and energy dominance provided advantages for Russia, Turkiye positions itself as a cultural kinstate due to shared ethnic, historical, and religious ties with regional actors. Both actors utilize various aspects of soft power, including discursive power, institutional capacity, cultural attractiveness, and economic ties, as well as similar tools such as educational and cultural institutions, and active participation in regional and international organizations. However, their strategic priorities and long-term visions differed from one another. Despite Russia’s traditional dominance and the OTS’s growing institutional strength and economic potential, neither actor has emerged as the region’s undisputed leader, reflecting the complexities of a multipolar Eurasian order. By examining the discourse and strategies of Russia and Turkiye in the OTS context, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the new forms of competition, encompassing soft power and geopolitical elements. Realizing the full potential of the OTS, which serves as the institutional embodiment of the idea of the Turkic world, would provide Turkiye with significant advantages in regional competition.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

International Foundation, International Politics

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

September 9, 2026

Publication Date

September 14, 2026

Submission Date

October 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 13, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 76

APA
Gümüş, A., & Ketenci, A. (2026). SOFT POWER RIVALRY IN CENTRAL ASIA: RUSSIA AND TURKIYE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 76, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.1796144
AMA
1.Gümüş A, Ketenci A. SOFT POWER RIVALRY IN CENTRAL ASIA: RUSSIA AND TURKIYE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES. PAUSBED. 2026;(76):1-21. doi:10.30794/pausbed.1796144
Chicago
Gümüş, Abdurrahman, and Ayşegül Ketenci. 2026. “SOFT POWER RIVALRY IN CENTRAL ASIA: RUSSIA AND TURKIYE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES”. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, nos. 76: 1-21. https://doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.1796144.
EndNote
Gümüş A, Ketenci A (September 1, 2026) SOFT POWER RIVALRY IN CENTRAL ASIA: RUSSIA AND TURKIYE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 76 1–21.
IEEE
[1]A. Gümüş and A. Ketenci, “SOFT POWER RIVALRY IN CENTRAL ASIA: RUSSIA AND TURKIYE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES”, PAUSBED, no. 76, pp. 1–21, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.30794/pausbed.1796144.
ISNAD
Gümüş, Abdurrahman - Ketenci, Ayşegül. “SOFT POWER RIVALRY IN CENTRAL ASIA: RUSSIA AND TURKIYE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES”. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi. 76 (September 1, 2026): 1-21. https://doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.1796144.
JAMA
1.Gümüş A, Ketenci A. SOFT POWER RIVALRY IN CENTRAL ASIA: RUSSIA AND TURKIYE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES. PAUSBED. 2026;:1–21.
MLA
Gümüş, Abdurrahman, and Ayşegül Ketenci. “SOFT POWER RIVALRY IN CENTRAL ASIA: RUSSIA AND TURKIYE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES”. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, no. 76, Sept. 2026, pp. 1-21, doi:10.30794/pausbed.1796144.
Vancouver
1.Abdurrahman Gümüş, Ayşegül Ketenci. SOFT POWER RIVALRY IN CENTRAL ASIA: RUSSIA AND TURKIYE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES. PAUSBED. 2026 Sep. 1;(76):1-21. doi:10.30794/pausbed.1796144

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