International Studies Journal (ISJ)

International Studies Journal (ISJ)

Regional change processes and their impact on Turkey's geopolitical competition 2016-2022 (Eastern Mediterranean, South Caucasus, and Ukraine crisis)

Document Type : Original Independent Original Article

Authors
Ebrahim Bagheri 1
Mohammad Reza Majidi 2
Farshad Azimi 3
1 Ph.D. Student in Regional Studies (European studies), Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Tehran Senior researcher of Iran-Europe relations
2 Associate professor, Department of Regional studies University of Tehran
3 M.A. in Regional Studies(Middle East studies), Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Tehran
10.22034/isj.2023.361648.1904
Abstract
Since the global system is increasingly unstable and cracked, we are in the middle of a series of regional transformation processes that have created the possibility of fundamental changes in the traditional order and subsequently in the behavior patterns of the actors. These processes of change and transformation have led to fundamental changes in the traditional ways of pursuing interests and in general the foreign policy strategies of global and regional actors. Due to its sensitive geopolitical situation, Turkey has faced many challenges in foreign and defense policy as a result of regional transformation processes. This issue has caused Turkey to be in a continuous geopolitical battle simultaneously on many fronts from the Eastern Mediterranean to the South Caucasus and the Ukraine crisis due to the power gaps that have emerged in the neighboring geography. The question of the current research is what effect the processes of regional change have had on Turkey's geopolitical competition in the surrounding areas؟ The current research hypothesizes that Turkey, by emphasizing the principle of self-help in the framework of the processes of change and transformation of the global and regional order, seeks flexible and dynamic alliances and shapes the vital space and united regions in line with the goal of strategic and balanced independence. Establishing relations with the West and the East is one of the emerging trends of foreign policy. The method of descriptive-analytical research and the method of data collection is the library.
Keywords
geopolitical competition"
Turkey"
Eastern Mediterranean"
Ukraine crisis"
"
South Caucasus"
Subjects
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