Rethinking Eurasian Geopolitics: Assessing Türkiye’s Influence and the Organization of Turkic States’ Impact

Öz

This study examines power shifts in the Eurasian Region in the 21st century using traditional geopolitical approaches. These approaches center on the geographical factors that drive the expansion of borders, considering the control exerted by states over geographical areas. The study uses qualitative research methods to evaluate the position of Türkiye, which has gained an active role in global politics with its developing political and economic power within ever-changing Eurasian geopolitics. Composed of three parts, the study examines geopolitical ruptures in Eurasia during the Cold War. It delves into the areas of dominance held by the United States (U.S.), China, and Russia, which came to the forefront during discussions of the unipolar world order in the international system after the end of the Cold War. Simultaneously, the study explores a shift in actors within the international system, as well as changes among global and regional powers. The focus of the study is on issues such as Türkiye’s political presence, security phenomena, economic developments, energy investments, and diversity in Eurasia, wherein Türkiye’s presence and influence in Eurasia following its position shifting from a regional actor to a global actor, are revealed. While Türkiye’s presence in the region constitutes the main focus of the study, the effect of the Organization of Turkic States on Eurasian geopolitics is also examined.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Eurasia
• Türkiye
• Geopolitics
• Balance of Power
• Organization of Turkic States

Avrasya Jeopolitiğini Yeniden Düşünmek: Türkiye’nin Nüfuzunu ve Türk Devletleri Teşkilatı’nın Etkisini Değerlendirmek

Öz

Bu çalışmada devletlerin coğrafi alanlar üzerinde denetimiyle, sınırlarının genişlemesi için gerekli olan coğrafi sebepler üzerine odaklanan geleneksel jeopolitik yaklaşımlar merkeze alınarak Avrasya Bölgesinde 20. yy. sonrası yaşanan güç değişimleri incelenmiştir. Çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemleri kullanılmış, gelişen siyasi ve ekonomik gücüyle küresel siyasette etkin rol kazanan Türkiye’nin konumunun, değişen Avrasya jeopolitiği içerisinde değerlendirmesi amaçlanmıştır. Üç bölümden oluşan çalışmada Soğuk Savaş döneminde Avrasya’daki jeopolitik kırılmalar, Soğuk Savaşın sona ermesiyle uluslararası sistemde tek kutuplu dünya düzeni tartışmalarıyla öne çıkan Amerika Birleşik Devletleri (ABD) ve Çin ile Rusya’nın Avrasya üzerindeki hâkimiyet alanları ele alınırken aynı zamanda uluslararası sistemdeki aktör değişimleri ile küresel ve bölgesel güçler temellendirilmiş ve bölgesel bir aktör olan Türkiye’nin küresel bir oyuncu olmasıyla Avrasya’daki varlığı ve etki alanı ortaya konulmuş, Türkiye’nin Avrasya’daki siyasal varlığı, güvenlik olguları, ekonomik gelişmeler, enerji yatırımları ve çeşitliliği gibi konulara odaklanılmıştır. Türkiye’nin bölgedeki varlığı çalışmanın ana eksenini oluştururken Türk Devletleri Teşkilatı’nın Avrasya Jeopolitiğine etkileri de incelenmiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Avrasya
• Türkiye
• Jeopolitik
• Güç Dengesi
• Türk Devletleri Teşkilatı

Kaynakça

1. Agnew, John. Geopolitics: Re-visioning world politics. Routledge, 1998.
2. Armaoğlu, Fahir. 20th Century Political History. Türkiye İşbank Cultural Publications, 1983.
3. Aslanlı, Araz. Azerbaijan-Türkiye Strategic Partnership Agreement on 10th Anniversary and Joint Military Drills. August 10, 2020, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/analiz/10-yilinda-azerbaycan-turkiye-stratejik-ortaklik-anlasmasi-ve-ortakaskeri-tatbikatlar/1937068.
4. Bailes, Alyson J. K., and Pal Dunay. “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a Regional Security Institution.” Bailes, Alyson J. K. et al. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 2007, pp. 1-29.
5. Bird, Julia, Mathilde Lebrand, and Anthony J. Venables. The Belt and Road Initiative: Reshaping Economic Geography in Central Asia?, World Bank Group, 2019.
6. Brzezinski, Zbigniew. Out of Control Türkiye İşbank Cultural Publications, 1994.
7. Brzezinski, Zbigniew. The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy and Its Geostrategic Imperatives. Basic Books, 1997.
8. Canlı, Zeynep. “Türkiye is a Transport Destination Thanks to Strategic Position Growing into a Key Country for the ‘Middle Corridor’.” March 30, 2021, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/turkiye-stratejik- konumuyla-ulasimrotasi-orta-koridorda-kilit-ulke-haline-geldi/2192372.

9. Dugin, Alexandr. Russian Geopolitics: Eurasian Approach. Küre Publications, 2015.
10. Ekşi, Muharrem. “Public Diplomacy of Türkiye for the Turkic World: New Instruments and Mechanisms.” Journal of Turkic World Reviews, vol. 17, no. 1, 2017, pp. 9-19.
11. Erhan, Çağrı. “Central Asia Policies of the U.S. and Implications of September 11.” International Relations, vol. 1, no. 3, 2004, pp. 123-149.
12. Erol, Mehmet Seyfettin, and Şafak Oğuz. “Changes in the Geopolitics of Central Asia in the Post-Cold War Era.” Journal of Tesam Academy, vol. 10, no. 1, 2023, pp. 75-91.
13. Ferguson, Niall. Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World. Yapı Kredi Publications, 2017.
14. Flint, Colin. Introduction to Geopolitics. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2006.
15. Gök, Ali. “Organization of Turkic States and Opportunities Created by Nagorno-Karabakh Victory.” Journal Güvenlik Stratejileri, 2022, pp. 109-145.
16. Haushofer, Karl. “Why Geopolitik?” Geopolitics, Geography and Strategy, eds. Gearoid O. Tuathail, Simon Dalby and Paul Routledge, Routledge, 1998, pp. 33-36.
17. Huasheng, Zhao. “Russia and Its Near Abroad: Challenges and Prospects.” Valdai Club, March 9, 2021, https://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/russia-and-itsnear-abroad-challenges-and-prospect/.
18. Hynek, Ondrej. “Geopolitics of Central Asia: Between the Russian Bear and the Chinese Dragon.” Central European Journal of Politics, vol. 6, no. 2, 2020, pp. 73-93.
19. Kennan, George. “The Sources of Soviet Conduct.” Foreign Affairs, vol. 65, no. 4, 1987, pp. 852-868.
20. Kozyrev, Andrei. “The Lagging Partnership.” Foreign Affairs, vol. 73, no. 3, 1994, pp. 59-71.
21. Litera, Bohuslav. “The Kozyrev Doctrine – A Russian Variation on the Monroe Doctrine.” Perspectives, no. 4, 1994, pp. 45-52.
22. Mackinder, Halford John. Democratic Ideals and Reality. National Defense University Press, 1942.
23. Mackinder, Halford John. “The Geographical Pivot of History.” The Geographical Journal, vol. 23, no. 4, 1904, pp. 421-437.
24. Mahan, Alfred Thayer. The Influence of Sea Power upon History: 1660-1783. Dover Publications, 1980.
25. Maynes, Charles William. “America Discovers Central Asia.” Foreign Affairs, vol. 82, no. 2, 2003, pp. 120-132.
26. McBride, James, Noah Berman, and Andrew Chatzky. China’s Massive Belt and Road Initiative. February 2, 2023, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/chinas-massive-belt-and-road-initiative.
27. Menon, Rajan. “The New Great Game in Central Asia.” Survival, vol. 45, no. 2, 2003, pp. 187-204.
28. Mitchell, Martin. “Using the principles of Halford J. Mackinder and Nicholas John Spykman to reevaluate a twenty-first-century geopolitical framework for the United States.” Comparative Strategy, vol. 39, no. 5, 2020, ss. 407-424.
29. Nichol, Jim. Central Asia’s Security: Issues and Implications for US Interests. Congressional Research Service, 2010.
30. Okur, Mehmet Akif. Looking into the Heartland of Eurasia in the Dawn of a New Age. Hoca Ahmad Yasawi International Turkish-Kazakh University, 2011.
31. Pantucci, Raffaello. The Dragon’s Cuddle: China’s Security Power Projection into Central Asia and Lessons for the Belt and Road Initiative. The National Bureau of Asian Research, 2019.
32. Presidency of Türkiye. “TANAP is Project to be associated with Peace, Serenity, and Prosperity”. March 17, 2015, https://www.tccb.gov.tr/haberler/410/29761/tanap-baris-huzur-ve-refah-ile-birlikte- zikredilecek-bir-projedir.
33. Presidency of Türkiye. “Address Delivered at the Asian Cooperation Conference.” October 13, 2022, https://www.tccb.gov.tr/konusmalar/353/140161/asyaisbirligi-konferansi-nda-yaptiklari-konusma.
34. Presidency of Türkiye. “Address Delivered at the 8th Summit of the Turkic Council.” November 12, 2021, https://www.tccb.gov.tr/konusmalar/353/133506/turk-konseyi-8-zirvesi-nde-yaptiklari-konusma.
35. Purtaş, Fırat. Cooperation That Turns Crisis into an Opportunity: Organization of Turkic States. SETA Publications, 2022.
36. Schreer, Benjamin. “Towards Contested Spheres of Influence in the Western Pacific: Rising China, Classical Geopolitics, and Asia-Pacific Stability.” Geopolitics, vol. 24, no. 2, 2019, pp. 503-522.
37. Scott, Margaret. & Alcenat, Westenley. Revisiting the Pivot: The Influence of Heartland Theory in Great Power Politics. Retrieved, August 19, 2008, pp. 1-28.
38. Spykman, Nicholas John. The Geography of the Peace. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1944.
39. Strausz-Hupé, Robert. Geopolitics: The Struggle for Space and Power. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1942.
40. Shanghai Cooperation Organization. “Declaration on the Establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.” June 15, 2001, http://eng.sectsco.org/documents/.
41. TANAP. “TANAP.” April 15, 2023, https://www.tanap.com/tanap-projesi.TIKA. “Background.” April 18, 2023, https://www.tika.gov.tr/tr/sayfa/tarihce-222.
42. Toklu, Vefa. International Relations. İmaj Printing House, 2004.
43. Toprak, Nuri Gökhan. “Türkiye’s New Central Asia Policy in the Context of the Middle Corridor Initiative.” Ahi Evran University, Journal of Social Sciences Institute, vol. 6, no. 1, 2020, pp. 19-32.
44. Topsakal, İlyas, and Alperen Kürşad Zengin. “Organization of Turkic States: Political, Economic, and Cultural Outputs.” Kriter, no. 63, 2021.
45. Tuathail, Gearoid, and John Agnew. “Geopolitics and Discourse: Practical Geopolitical Reasoning in American Foreign Policy.” Geopolitics, Geography and Strategy, eds. Gearoid O. Tuathail, Simon Dalby and Paul Routledge, 1998, pp. 78-92.
46. Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Relations with Central Asian Countries” https://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkiye-orta-asya-ulkeleri-iliskileri.tr.mfa.
47. Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Türkiye’s Multilateral Transportation Policy” https://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkiye_nin-cok-tarafli-ulastirma-politikasi.tr.mfa.
48. Turkish Official Gazette. “Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Mutual Assistance Signed by and between the Republic of Türkiye and the
49. Republic of Azerbaijan.” May 5, 2011, https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2011/05/20110528M1-30-1.pdf.
50. Türkiye Maarif Foundation. “Türkiye Maarif Foundation.” April 1, 2023 https://turkiyemaarif.org/page/524-Turkiye-Maarif-Vakfi-12.
51. U.S. Department of State Office of the Historian. “Kennan and Containment, 1947.” May 10, 2023, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/kennan.
52. U.S. Congress. “The Silk Road Strategy Act of 1999.” November 5, 1999, https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/579/text.
53. White House. “A National Security Strategy for a New Century.” December 1999. https://history.defense.gov/Historical-Sources/National-Security-Strategy/.
54. YTB. “Presidency.” April 5, 2023, https://ytb.gov.tr/kurumsal/baskanlik. Yunus Emre Institute. “Yunus Emre Institute.” April 25, 2023, https://www.yee.org.tr/tr/kurumsal/yunus-emre-enstitusu.
55. Yüce, Mehmet. Relations of Türkiye with the Members of the Organization of Turkic States. SETA Publications, 2022.