New directions in Turkish foreign policy : Turkey's interaction with the newly independent Republics of Central Asia and the challenge of Russian hegemony

Abstract

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, five Turkic republics emerged as independent states in Central Asia. Situated to their west, the Republic of Turkey was the first country to officially recognize their independence and initiate diplomatic relations. In its early years of interaction with the region, Turkey ambitiously embarked on numerous economic and political endeavors, forging close and unprecedented relations with the republics. Popular explanations for Turkey's activities in the region note the common heritage and linguistic ties between Turkic populations; Turkey's desire to promote itself as a model for regional development; and Turkey's frustrated relations with Europe and its subsequent desire to 're-orient' its foreign affairs toward the east. Though each of these explanations deserves some attention, this thesis argues that Turkish policy toward the new republics was guided by more significant concerns for the development of a stable region with amicable ties to Turkey. Turkey's efforts to promote intra- and inter-regional cooperation, to integrate the region into global economic and political structures and to bolster the autonomy of the republics all represent Turkish visions of positive development for the region. Though internal factors limited Turkey's ability to wholly succeed in its Central Asian policies, the greatest challenge emerged from the reassertion of Russian interests and influence in the Russian 'near abroad'. In direct contradiction of Turkey's objectives, Russia panned to use its military, economic and political leverage in the region to 're-integrate' the republics into a Moscow-dominated network of interdependent states, exclusive of non-regional actors (especially the West).