By (Ret.) Turkish Staff Navy Captain Halil Özsaraç The theoretical framework of region-shaping initiatives such as the Greater Middle East Project (BOP) of imperialism consists of realism based on the supremacy of geopolitics and power, as well as neoliberalism based on the interdependency of states. While the imperialist establishment of the United States (US), European Union (EU), and NATO incite ...
The humanity has left behind another tough year with many significant challenges. At the end of 2023 Palestinians raised the flag of revolt of oppressed nations against the oppressor world. Throughout the year, Russia’s achievements in Ukraine, led deep divisions on the West. France’s expulsion from Africa, the resolution of hitches in Karabakh, Syria’s return to the Arab League, the ...
The Mediterranean is a geographical area of great geopolitical importance due to its strategic location between Europe, Asia and Africa. The region is rich in natural resources and has a long history of trade and navigation. In the past, European powers have struggled for control of Mediterranean trade routes, and even today, the region is an object of interest for ...
In the last decade, the Mediterranean has become a global epicenter of geopolitical and geo-economic interests. It has taken an increased importance because of the profound transformations that have taken place and that continue to manifest themselves in ever fluid and changing forms. The regional conflicts in Libya and Syria, the never-ending tensions between Turkey, Greece and Cyprus (Greek Administration ...
I learned of the Map of Seville from Professor Dr. Sertaç Hami Başeren, a faculty member at AU Political Sciences University and Advisor to the General Staff Maritime Law, in 2003. At that time, the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCASC) had not yet declared an EEZ around the island. I was serving as the Head of the Strategy ...
Burning the Kuwaiti flag ignites dispute between the two peoples Footage of an Egyptian citizen offering pedestrians to burn the Kuwaiti flag for LE 500 ($31) has stirred controversy through the social media platforms, where Kuwaitis expressed their outrage over the insult to their country’s symbol. The heat has moved from social media to the official Kuwaiti authorities. The Kuwaiti ...
The 5th Fleet, which Soviet Russia first established in the Mediterranean in 1963-64, is now challenging the 6th Fleet of the US in the waters of the Mediterranean. The pessimistic attitudes towards Turkish-Russian friendship in Syria, Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean today are based on the idea that Russia is moving toward warm waters. In fact, the issue of navigating ...
On the morning of April 1, 2006, the Turkish delegation at the NATO headquarters in Brussels released a written statement to all alliance members announcing Turkey’s launch of the “Mediterranean Shield” naval operation to ensure energy security in the Eastern Mediterranean. The statement had the effect of an earthquake in NATO, as the alliance’s Active Endeavour Operation (OAE) had been ...
The marine component of geopolitics is becoming increasingly important for Turkey. This is evidenced by Ankara’s recent actions in the Mediterranean and especially the signing of an agreement on maritime borders with the Libyan Government of National Accord. It is also worth recalling the active hydrocarbon exploration activities off the coast of Cyprus. Turkey is an important player in the ...