JEOPOLİTİK STRATEJİ

Turkey’s possession of the straits raises its importance form a regional to a global level. Despite the development of nuclear weapons, the Straits have enormous strategic importance, which gives Turkey the possibility to influence global developments

As it historically was, it is still one of the most important interregional trade routes. That is why the states which make up Wider Black Sea, have come together in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation which was established in 1992.

Geopolitics and geostrategy are two very closely related concepts that are difficult to differentiate. In
many cases, the concepts are used interchangeably, which leads to confusion. Geostrategy defines the relation between strategy and geography. Geostrategy then is the analysis and evaluation of geographical factors in order to define goals and strategies that will be adopted in certain cases. Therefore, the correct option is A.

Geoculture on the other hand is about the relation between cultural elements and foreign policy goals. These goals vary from global hegemony to be a more influential actor in international politics, become a regional leader or develop good bilateral relations. The cultural elements in question also vary. Although it generally refers to historical, linguistic, religious, and ethnic bonds, ideological bonds are also considered as a geocultural element. Therefore, the correct option is C.

Geoculture on the other hand is about the relation between cultural elements and foreign policy goals. These goals vary from global hegemony to be a more influential actor in international politics, become a regional leader or develop good bilateral relations. The cultural elements in question also vary. Although it generally refers to historical, linguistic, religious, and ethnic bonds, ideological bonds are also considered as a geocultural element. Therefore, the correct option is E.

Turkey tends to see itself as part of Europe and has furthered this tendency with the westernization policies it has been following since the late periods of the Ottoman Empire. As for the Turkish Republic westernization has been one of the main lines of continuity. It has positioned itself with Europe and the West from the beginning. But this has never been an easy relation for Turkey since not all groups in Turkey see Turkey as part of Europe or the West and are in favor of this inclination. Therefore, the correct option is B.

Turkish Republic neither feels the need nor has the capacity to influence the whole world and thus does not develop strategies in this scope. Its interests mostly lie with its neighboring regions and thus its strategies concern these regions as well. In that sense, Turkey is not a global actor, but a regional one, or as Brzezinski defines it a geopolitical pivot. It is also not a great power, but a medium one. Its status is defined by its geographical position and historical and cultural ties that are attached to this position. These are the dynamics that give Turkey a chance to influence its neighborhood. Thus, its capabilities do not allow Turkey to pursue a global policy. Therefore, the correct option is D.

A sustainable geostrategy must distinguish between the short-run perspective (the next five or so years), the middle term (up to twenty or so years), and the long run (beyond twenty years). Moreover, these phases must be viewed not as watertight compartments but as part of a continuum. The first phase must gradually and consistently lead into the second—indeed, be deliberately pointed toward it—and the second must then lead subsequently into the third.

Geopolitical pivots are the states whose importance is derived not from their power and motivation but rather from their sensitive location and from the consequences of their potentially vulnerable condition for the behavior of geostrategic players. Most often, geopolitical pivots are determined by their geography, which in some cases gives them a special role either in denning access to important areas or in denying resources to a significant player. In some cases, a geopolitical pivot may act as a defensive shield for a vital state or even a region. Sometimes, the very existence of a geopolitical pivot can be said to have very significant political and cultural consequences for a more active neighboring geostrategic player. Therefore, the correct option is D.

for the United States and the NATO alliance, Turkey is an indispensable country, mainly because of its geopolitical, geostrategic and geocultural position again. This was especially the case in the Cold War years. Turkey, as a member of the Western bloc, had land and sea borders with the leader of the other bloc. At a time when intercontinental missiles or satellites had not appeared on the scene, this was a great opportunity for the Western alliance and a great threat for the Eastern Bloc. Therefore, the correct option is D.

One of the most famous analyses in this context is made by Zbigniew Brzezinski, who defines Eurasia as the world’s axial supercontinent. Brzezinski’s widely discussed The Grand Chessboard, has placed Eurasia at the center of his geopolitical analysis, which seeks American hegemony in the new world order. The “chessboard” Brzezinski refers to in his analysis, is Eurasia itself. Therefore, the correct option is A.

The theory that the state could control the human and physical resources of the Eurasion landmass between Germany and central Siberia would be in a position to rule the world. The Heartland Theory was developed by British geographer Sir Halford J. Mackinder in his paper “The Geographical Pivot of History” (1904) and his best known work Democratic Ideals and Reality: A Study in the Politics of Reconstruction (1919). The heartland theory emerged from Mackinder’s detailed study of the global relationship between land and sea power.

Mackinder postulated the dominating influence of certain geographic “realities” on the course of world politics. His realities included (1) “world island” (Europe, Asia and Africa) surrounding the Eurasian “heartland” or “pivot area,” which is inaccessible from the sea; (2) its coastlands, called the “inner” or “marginal crescent,” made up of maritime powers; and (3) insular power bases composed of North and South America and Australia, called the “insular” or “outer crescent”. Based on his assumptions of the growing ascendancy of land power over sea power, Mackinder warned that “who rules East Europe commands the Heartland; who rules the Heartland commands the World Island; who rules the World Island command the World. Mackinder advocated policies aimed at creating an equilibrium of power between the land and sea powers so that no single country would be in a position to dominate the pivot area. Therefore, the correct option is B.