Why Turkey is strategically important?

1. International Ataturk Alatoo University
Turkish Foreign policy – Post Cold war era
WhyTurkey is strategically important?
Subject: Turkey in World Politics
Lecturer: Ibrahim Koncak, Phd
Student: Aidana Zhenishbek kyzy

2. Turkish foreign policy-
Post Cold War era
Why isTurkey strategically important country?

3. Expectations and reality after ColdWar
New world order
Liberalism
Human Rights
PeacefulWorld order
In contrast
New conflicts and wars , especially in Middle
east, Balkans and Caucasus

4. With the end of the ColdWar, all regions
aroundTurkey have destabilized.
FormerYugoslavia was been disunited.
Wars break out between the ethnic and
religious groups in Balkans
Arab-Israeli conflict
Iraq occupied Kuwait in August 1990.

5.  Turkey became one of the most active and enthusiastic
supporters of the American –led United Nations coalition
which first imposed sanctions on Iraq and then in
January 1991 waged war on that country.
 Turkey`s active supports of the Western coalition against
Saddam Hussein during the Gulf war was an attempt to
convince the West that Turkey was still important in
global politics, and also to persuade the European Union
to admit it as a member.

6. In the early 1990sTurkey began to
consider several potential structures:
The Black Sea Economic cooperation(BSEC)
Free trade agreement with US
Balkan Cooperation Council
The Economic Co-operation Organization(ECO)
Cooperation withTurkic republics (The Collapse of USSR
radically improved the strategic position ofTurkey)

7. There are several factors that makeTurkey a strategically
important country in the region in Post Cold War era:
Turkey is located in the center of Balkans, Middle East and Caucasus.
There is a land road connectingTurkey to Central Asia over Georgia.
Turkey is also playing big role in the distribution of energy from Middle East to
Europe.
Turkey is a member of North AtlanticTreaty Organization (NATO) since 1952 and
a strategic partner of United States.

8. Bush pointed out Iran, Iraq and North Korea as satanic
triangle.Two of these countries are neighbors ofTurkey.
Syria was been also accused for supporting international
terrorism.
Turkey is playing an important role in the region as well in
the globe to balance Middle East countries such as Iraq,
Syria and Iran.

9. Conclusion:
Because of her strategic, geographic position and
strong cultural historic ties with the region and rest
of IslamicWorldTurkey can be an important actor
for regional and global peace.

10. Sources:
1. İdris Bal,Turkish Foreign Policvy in Post ColdWar Era