Policy Backgrounders

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Geopolitics Hub

Policy Backgrounders

CED’s Policy Backgrounders provide timely insights on prominent business and economic policy issues facing the nation.

Ukraine War One Year Round-Up: Turkey's Crucial Role

February 28, 2023

Turkey, a member of NATO since 1952 whose northern coast is directly across the Black Sea from Ukraine and Russia, and through whose straits ships must pass to enter or leave the Black Sea, was geographically poised to play an important role in the conflict. Turkey, which has the second largest armed forces of any NATO country, is home to the Allied Land Command; the Incirlik Air Base hosting Turkish, US, and Spanish forces; and other significant military facilities. Yet Turkey, though a valuable ally, has a complicated relationship with NATO. Turkey is also a “dialogue partner” and possible future member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) which includes Russia, China, Iran, India, Pakistan, and nations in Central Asia several of which speak Turkic languages. Turkey’s desire to maintain strong economic and political relations with Russia causes concern within NATO.

Thus far in the conflict, Turkey’s diplomacy has been a high wire balancing act, keeping open lines of communication with both Ukraine and Russia, leading the way to adopt and implement a deal permitting export of vitally-needed Ukrainian grain, and pressing other nations to ensure its own interests as NATO seeks to expand to include Sweden and Finland and as global energy markets shift. Turkey also faces elections later this year and is recovering from the recent devastating earthquake in southeast Turkey

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