“Turkish World” Strategy of Turkey’s Soft Power in Central Asia: Opportunities and Challenges

Аннотация

This research study examines the foreign policy approaches of the modern Republic of Turkey and analyzes the essence of foreign policy concepts developed by the state. The article also investigates the turning points in foreign policy, focusing on the shift away from solely Western alternatives and the movement towards Eastern orientations. Furthermore, the paper explores the methods of utilizing “soft power” components in Turkey’s foreign policy and discusses its institutional mechanisms. It is well-known that the Republic of Turkey, beginning in the 1990s, initiated an active movement to establish itself as a central state, which has led to its formation as a true regional power today. Currently, the Republic’s progression from a regional power towards a global power is reflected in the statements of government leaders and politicians. In particular, this is evident in the declarations of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, such as “The world is bigger than five”, “It is possible to build a fair world” and “If theres an opportunity to join the SCO, why should we say no”. Keywords: Turkic world, soft power, Central Asia, Republic of Uzbekistan, Republic of Turkey, Foreign policy, diplomacy, cultural diplomacy. scholars who have conducted studies on this subject Introduction: Turkey’s approach to Central Asia, known were consulted. In particular, research by the following as the “Turkic World” strategy, is an effective scholars was utilized: Turkish scholars Hakan Yavuz foundation of soft power that leverages common (Turkey's foreign policy strategies, the concept of neo- cultural, linguistic, and historical connections to Ottomanism, and the influence of the Turkic world), enhance cooperation and influence in the region. The Mehmet Özcan (Turkey's role in Central Asia through main objective of developing this strategy is to the Turkic Council), Yasemin Aydın (Soft power and strengthen Turkey’s relations with Central Asian public diplomacy in Turkey: relations with Central Asia), countries through language and shared cultural Mehmet Sümer (Turkey and Central Asia: post-Soviet heritage, capitalizing on their deep historical and state relations); Russian scholar V.A. Avatkov (The cultural affinities. This creates a solid foundation for Turkic world and Turkic organizations); Uzbek scholar Turkey to promote initiatives in education, mass media, R. Ergashev (dynamics of Uzbekistan's foreign policy and cultural exchange. Moreover, within the with Turkey, economic cooperation and cultural framework of the Organization of Turkic States, it aims diplomacy); Kazakh scholar O. Khudaibergenov (Central to develop trade and investment relations, especially Asian regional cooperation and Turkey's role in shaping infrastructure projects, economic partnerships, and economic and cultural landscapes); Kyrgyz scholar A. investments, through various cultural and socio- Jumangulov (Kyrgyzstan-Turkey relations and the economic assistance and cooperation efforts with the Turkish Maarif Foundation); and other scholars. republic. In conducting the research, analytical methods such as