Turkey's political objectives in the Caucasus

Abstract

At the beginning of the 1990s, Turkey was under the impression that the collapse of the USSR and the independence of its 15 successor states have provided Turkey opportunities: Having historical and cultural ties with these republics, Turkey would be able to offer its model in Eurasia and make stronger its position in the region. Also, it could expand its influence as a regional power. Finally, Turkish engagement in this region could bring substantial benefit to the Turkish economy. Concomitantly, Western backing for the success of Turkish Model in the region was crucial and the West had backed it because of its strategic considerations. From the NIS standpoint, they turned to Ankara as their principal middleman in integrating into the international system. Today, general landscape is not the same as it was at the beginning of the 1990s. From Turkey’s perspective, ten years have passed since the demise of the Soviet Union, and many of the Turkish expectations have not materialized. When Western information of the region and its economic, cultural and strategic matters increased, and new events took place. And the attractiveness of the Turkish Model or at least the backing of the West for this model weakened.