Turkic Council Countries

The Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (the Turkic Council - TC) was established in 2009 as an intergovernmental organization to promote multilateral cooperation among Turkic Speaking States. The four founding member states of the TC are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. In addition, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are two possible future members of the council. This study aims to investigate the infrastructural investment, trade, logistics and transportation potential of the mentioned countries as well as elaborate these activities among the TC’s current and possible future members. For this purpose, firstly, present situation of the trade among the Council’s current and possible future members has been examined. At this point, it is made clear that the trade volume among these six states is not as much as expected, but it is open to healing. Later, the opportunities and the last developments that may increase the trade volume among the TC’s current and possible future members in line with advancement of their infrastructural potential are explored. In reality, the geographic location of these states is very good. Namely, they are on the old trade route known as the Silk Road channels; however, this road was not active for a long time. Recently, this ancient trade route between East and West was aimed to be revived by China. Besides, India is keen to develop another approach of the Silk Road under the International North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC) initiative. In fact, these are great opportunities for the TC’s current and possible future members. That is, there is a very large volume of trade between China and Europe, and currently almost all of this trade is done through sea transport. Hence, if even a small part of this trade is transported by the Chinese Initiative of the Silk Road, its contribution to the current and potential future members of the TC and their integration into each other will be great. However, at this point, there are some tasks that current and potential members of the TC must complete to mobilize the Silk Roads. In fact, opening of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) rail link recently was an important step to make it active, but this is not fully enough. In this work, it is also aimed to set out these tasks from the perspective of each current and potential member. Finally, with the help of this review, the limitations and problems of each state’s infrastructural investment, trade, transport and logistics system have been put forward for improvement studies.

Russian Federation has been recognized with the strategy called as “Putin Doctrine” at the beginning of the 21st century. Accordingly, the West is no longer a reliable partner of Russia. The sovereignty of the post-Soviet countries is under the protection of Russia. Russian World and Russian Orthodoxy have become strong. Today, the term “Russia’s Way” has become almost acceptable throughout the world. Therefore, Russia began to be recognized as a society and state that has not accepted or want to accept the philosophy of “the way of common reason”. In both domestic and foreign policy, there is no effective force that can oppose this ‘special’ situation to Russia. Russian poet and diplomat Fyodor Ivanovich Tyutchev says in his famous quatrain: Russia can’t be understood with the mind alone, No ordinary yardstick can span her greatness: She stands alone, unique – In Russia, one can only believe. This aphorism is the most common phrase that describes Russia. According to Tyutchev, if we want to understand Russia, it is necessary to “believe it”. To understand the role of the “savior” that the Russians have assigned to them since history, it is necessary to know their history, foreign policy and security doctrines. When you read this book I’m sure you can find answers to some of these questions. In this book, the change and transformation of Russia in Putin Period and the general reasons of these policies are explained. In addition to this book, I would also recommend you to read our book “Is Russia & Turkey Eurasian Pact Possible?” In addition to the general reader, this book has been prepared to provide guidance to experts, diplomats and students working in the field of “Security Studies”, “Political Science and International Relations” and “History”. I wish you a good reading.

Stuck in the middle of different as well as relevant regional complexes, the Caspian Sea basin represents a critical geopolitical hub in the heart of Eurasia landmass. Political, economic as well as strategic considerations contribute to determine the systemic relevance of the Caspian Sea, whose reputation in the West is mainly linked to the vast availability of largely untapped oil and gas resources. However, behind the fierce competition aimed at the exploitation and transportation of the basin’s hydrocarbons lies a much more complex picture, consisting of interlinked legal, military and soft power issues and threats. Aim of the volume – result of a joint research project conducted by the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SAM, Baku) and the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI, Milan) – is to address the relevance of the Caspian Sea in the post-bipolar international system, analyzing both soft and had security threats emerging form the basin, as well as the policies of littoral and extra-regional actors.

The world in which we are living in is passing through a great period of transition. The human history is undergoing new experiences and experiments. It is also to be noted in the study of international relations and world politics. While one must duly recognise the uniqueness of certain events and developments, we are more concerned with the processes and patterns of behaviour found in the world politics. The importance of the study of international relations is more significant and urgent because the world is getting increasingly interdependent. Relations among states have an ever widening and deepening impact on the economic, intellectual and social conditions of our existence. The study of international relations as an academic discipline would solve all over internal and international problems. You can analyse and explain contemporary international phenomena, including identifying and assessing the positions and interests of key international subjects.

This is a comprehensive book series that comprises two distinct yet interconnected volumes. Volume I focuses on international relations and global politics, while Volume II delves into social sciences and humanities studies. Both volumes revolve around the central theme of the COVID-19 pandemic era, exploring its profound impact on various aspects of the world. In Volume I, scholars, and experts in the field of international relations delve into the intricate dynamics of global politics in the context of the pandemic. They analyse the shifting power dynamics, the role of international organisations, the challenges to global governance, and the geopolitical implications of the crisis. This book provides valuable insights into how the pandemic has shaped and transformed the international system, influencing state behaviour, diplomatic relations, and global cooperation. Volume II takes a multidisciplinary approach, examining the social, cultural, economic, and psychological dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts from the fields of social sciences and humanities contribute their research and perspectives, offering critical analyses of the pandemic's effects on societies, communities, individuals, and various aspects of human life. Together, these two volumes provide a comprehensive exploration of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on world politics, society, and human experiences. By bringing together scholars from different disciplines, the book series offers a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by this unprecedented global crisis. It serves as a valuable resource for academics, policymakers, and anyone seeking to comprehend and navigate the complexities of the COVID-19 era.

This volume examines the Eurasian engagement with geographies of globalisation through an understanding of the intersection of space and place in Eurasia, Eurasian encounters with globalisation in terms of shifting spheres in politics, economics and culture, levels of integration and the intricate patterns of roads and routes. It also takes note of challenges encountered by social groups and communities in the face of globalising tendencies. The role of emerging alternatives within the region and community partnerships in Eurasia has also been addressed. Written by Eurasian scholars and others working on the region, it takes note of the formal and informal linkages between local communities and the larger global arena of which they are a part. The Eurasian context and the changing contours of Eurasia’s globalised space have been addressed in this book. The book would be of value to scholars and practitioners engaged in policy debates and area studies.

This book provides analyses with respect to a wide range of contemporary issues, from China to Eurasia, including Turkey's foreign policy, conflicts in the Eastern Mediterranean, Caucasia, Central Asia, Russia, EU, migration, Middle Eastern issues, current conflicts and influences over global competition, energy security and the future of struggles on energy resources, the structure of intra-state conflicts and foreign terrorist fighters. In the study, many interesting questions, such as whether China will turn to a maritime great power in the Pacific Sea, possible impacts of China's BRI project on global politics, the future of the new great game in China's westward politics, and possible effects of North-South corridor on regional power struggle are also examined.