Средняя держава с глобальными амбициями: внешняя политика Турции в постбиполярном мире

Магистратура 2025/2026

Статус: Курс обязательный (Современное востоковедение)

Кто читает: Школа востоковедения

Где читается: Факультет мировой экономики и мировой политики

Когда читается: 1-й курс, 3 модуль

Охват аудитории: для всех кампусов НИУ ВШЭ

Язык: английский

Контактные часы: 36

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Abstract

This course provides a comprehensive studying of Turkey’s foreign policy in the post-bipolar world, examining the strategic shifts, challenges, and opportunities. As a nation straddling Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Türkiye occupies a unique geopolitical position, which has profoundly influenced its foreign policy objectives and approaches in an increasingly interconnected world. Students will examine the key drivers of Turkey’s foreign policy transformation, including its pursuit of strategic autonomy, its emphasis on regional leadership, and its ambition to become a global actor. In addition, the course touches on Turkey’s use of public diplomacy tools, such as cultural, historical and religious projects and exchanges, education, media, to enhance its global influence and promote its national interests.

Learning Objectives

• To provide an understanding of the core principles of Turkey’s foreign policy in the post-bipolar world
• To obtain basic knowledge of the current political, economic, and social situation in Turkey
• To equip students for both theoretical and applied research in the field of Turkish foreign policy
• To practice professional oral presentation of research
• To provide an understanding of the challenges in Russian-Turkish relations

Expected Learning Outcomes

Identify and explain the structure of Turkey’s political system and its economic outlook, including key institutions, policy-making processes, and major macroeconomic trends and challenges.
Identify and explain the key principles and strategic directions of Turkey’s foreign policy in the post-bipolar era
Examine and describe the historical and contemporary dynamics of Russia-Turkey relations, including strategic, political, economic, and regional security dimensions
Examine and assess Turkey’s historical and contemporary role within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), with particular focus on its strategic, political, economic, and cultural engagement aimed at asserting influence across the Turkic-speaking world
Identıfy and examine the transformation of Turkey’s foreign policy toward the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), focusing on the strategic, political, economic, and diplomatic drivers that shape its regional engagement and influence
Examine and evaluate Turkey’s strategic engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the political, economic, security, and humanitarian dimensions of its foreign policy and the broader goals of expanding global influence and diversifying international partnerships
Examine and interpret Turkey’s Asia Anew Initiative as a strategic shift in foreign policy, analyzing its political, economic, and cultural engagement with South, Southeast, and East Asia, and evaluating its efforts to build bilateral and multilateral partnerships across the region

Course Contents

The Political System and Economic Development of Turkey
The Basic Principles and Practices of the Turkey’s Foreign Policy in the Post-Bipolar World
Russia and Turkey: Historical Patterns and Contemporary Trends in Bilateral Relations
Turkey and the Organization of Turkic States
Turkey’s Foreign Policy towards the Middle East and North Africa
Turkey’s Strategic Involvement in Sub-Saharan Africa
Asia Anew Initiative: Main Aspects of Turkey's Asia Opening

Assessment Elements

Active participation in seminar discussions
The student is required to participate in discussions during seminar sessions. Discussion includes responding to the lecturer’s questions as well as posing questions on the seminar topic to other students.
Project
Students work in small groups to prepare presentations lasting 15–20 minutes. The presentation topic is assigned by the lecturer. The score is assigned to the whole group.
Midterm Test
The test consists of 1-2 open-ended questions. Students are given 40 minutes to respond. This format is effective for assessing a deep understanding of the material.
Final exam in a form of discussion
During the exam, students answer orally the questions from their exam ticket. They have 10 minutes to prepare, and no reference materials are allowed.

Interim Assessment

2025/2026 3rd module
0.3 * Active participation in seminar discussions + 0.3 * Final exam in a form of discussion + 0.2 * Midterm Test + 0.2 * Project

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Bermek, S. V. aut. (2019). The Rise of Hybrid Political Islam in Turkey Origins and Consolidation of the JDP by Sevinç Bermek.
Outzen, R. H. M., & Schwing, R. (2016). Supporting democracy in Erdoğan’s Turkey : the role of think tanks / by Richard H.M. Outzen and Ryan Schwing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsgpr&AN=edsgpr.000985464
Аватков В.А. - Россия, Турция и Постсоветский Восток в идейно-ценностной картине мировой политики. Монография - 978-5-392-39669-6 - Проспект - 2023 - http://ebs.prospekt.org/book/47426 - 47426 - PROSPECT
Государство, общество, международные отношения на мусульманском Востоке : Афганистан, Иран, Пакистан, Турция, этнический Курдистан, соседние мусульманские районы, , 2014

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Turkey's public diplomacy, , 2015

Authors

Перлова Юлия Валерьевна
Islamov Damir Rimovich

Course Syllabus