Dear members of Global Bridges,

We cordially invite you to your Geopolitical Monitor on the topic:

“Türkiye: Quo Vadis?”

The Geopolitical Monitor will take place on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 5.00 p.m., via Microsoft Teams.

President Erdogan has announced the “Turkish Century” to mark the 100th anniversary of the country’s founding. This also includes a more autonomous foreign policy. In a future multipolar world, Erdogan’s aim is to regain the country’s historical role as an influential global power. Turkish geopolitics is, therefore, trying to balance between the three major international players – the West, Russia, and China – in order to gain the greatest possible benefit from each side. Türkiye also plays a central role in many conflicts: due to its own economic interests, Ankara is not participating in sanctions against Russia while at the same time supporting Ukraine militarily in order to prevent Russia from becoming too dominant. The same applies to the Syrian war, where both countries are fighting against Kurdish self-determination but also for their own influence. In the Middle East conflict, Türkiye maintains diplomatic relations with Israel but sees Hamas as a legitimate resistance movement. In Libya, Türkiye is one of the most important supporters of the internationally recognized government in the fight against General Hafta, who is backed by Russia. Türkiye has also been able to expand its influence in the Balkans thanks to Azerbaijan’s victory against Armenia.

On February 15, we will be talking to Prof. Dr. Sanem Aydin Düzgit from the Robert Bosch Academy and Prof. Dr. Fuat Keyman from the Istanbul Policy Center about how Turkish foreign policy will continue to develop, what role the country can actually play and what challenges we as the Western world are facing as a result.