Turkey in the Context of Transforming International Relations and the New Eurasian Geopolitics
A presentation of the Valdai paper titled “Turkey in the Context of Transforming International Relations and the New Eurasian Geopolitics” held on January 16 at the Moscow venue of the Valdai Discussion Club. As the international order undergoes a profound transformation, the role of regional power centres is coming into focus. Turkey is an example of a Eurasian power that leverages its unique geopolitical position for purposes of expanding regional influence and defending national interests. Its foreign policy is that of perpetual balancing between great powers and regional interests, which makes Ankara one of the key, albeit not always predictable, Eurasian players. For Russia, Turkey’s course is particularly important: Turkey is a partner of great significance, relations with which have suffered bouts of serious crisis, merging elements of both strategic cooperation and competition. “Turkey has developed a unique model for adapting to the changing international environment and the new geopolitical balance of power in Eurasia in the first quarter of the 21st century. While preserving its institutional links with the West, Ankara has been consistent in pursuing its strategic autonomy by diversifying its foreign policy and external economic ties within Eurasia”, writes Pavel Shlykov, the Valdai paper’s author. What kind of role does Turkey play in the architecture taking shape within Greater Eurasia? By what means is Turkey expanding ties with global players like Russia, the EU, the US, and China? What awaits those ties in the near future? How thorough and how irreversible is Turkey’s turn towards Asia? What are the economic and political forces driving this turn? Speakers: Pavel Shlykov, Head of the Oriental Studies Programme, Institute for International Studies, MGIMO University; Associate Professor, Department of Middle Eastern Studies, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Moscow State University Sergey Sherstyukov, Associate Professor at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University Marco Carnelos, Senior Consultant, Future Group Holdings Umut Uzer, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Istanbul Technical University Moderator: Anton Bespalov, Programme Director of the Valdai Discussion Club
A presentation of the Valdai paper titled “Turkey in the Context of Transforming International Relations and the New Eurasian Geopolitics” held on January 16 at the Moscow venue of the Valdai Discussion Club. As the international order undergoes a profound transformation, the role of regional power centres is coming into focus. Turkey is an example of a Eurasian power that leverages its unique geopolitical position for purposes of expanding regional influence and defending national interests. Its foreign policy is that of perpetual balancing between great powers and regional interests, which makes Ankara one of the key, albeit not always predictable, Eurasian players. For Russia, Turkey’s course is particularly important: Turkey is a partner of great significance, relations with which have suffered bouts of serious crisis, merging elements of both strategic cooperation and competition. “Turkey has developed a unique model for adapting to the changing international environment and the new geopolitical balance of power in Eurasia in the first quarter of the 21st century. While preserving its institutional links with the West, Ankara has been consistent in pursuing its strategic autonomy by diversifying its foreign policy and external economic ties within Eurasia”, writes Pavel Shlykov, the Valdai paper’s author. What kind of role does Turkey play in the architecture taking shape within Greater Eurasia? By what means is Turkey expanding ties with global players like Russia, the EU, the US, and China? What awaits those ties in the near future? How thorough and how irreversible is Turkey’s turn towards Asia? What are the economic and political forces driving this turn? Speakers: Pavel Shlykov, Head of the Oriental Studies Programme, Institute for International Studies, MGIMO University; Associate Professor, Department of Middle Eastern Studies, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Moscow State University Sergey Sherstyukov, Associate Professor at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University Marco Carnelos, Senior Consultant, Future Group Holdings Umut Uzer, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Istanbul Technical University Moderator: Anton Bespalov, Programme Director of the Valdai Discussion Club