Turkey as a mid-sized power in the post-Soviet region: implications for the EU

Turkey as a mid-sized power in the post-Soviet region: implications for the EU

Adam Balcer and Dimitar Bechev Policy paper

In the early 1990s, Russia had a monopolistic position in the post-Soviet region. Now, the game of ‘post-Soviet chess’ is being played by several parties.

They are the four giants: Russia, China, the EU (internally diversified)  and the USA. The leverage of the two neighbouring medium-sized powers, Turkey and to a lesser degree Iran, as well as India, Japan, and South Korea is also on the rise. Tectonic shifts in the balance of power between the key players in the post-Soviet region are likely to continue over the next few decades. Taking into consideration economic and demographic perspectives, a further gradual weakening of Russian influence should be expected. Nevertheless, Moscow will certainly  remain one of the main stakeholders in the  post-Soviet region. One of the main beneficiaries of this geostrategic earthquake could be Turkey, an emerging medium-sized power. Read more…