VOLUME XXIX AUTUMN/WINTER 2024

In her article, Radiye Funda Karadeniz examines the contradiction between the rising number of border walls and deepening global connectivity, analyzing it from the perspective of changing multilateralism and addressing the debates on the "crisis of multilateralism."

In her article, Hatice Çelik analyzes Asia and Europe’s connectivity initiatives (BRI, IMEC, Japan-EU Partnership) in terms of geopolitical goals, potentials, challenges, and limitations, revealing that these initiatives are geopolitical strategies rather than merely technical or commercial projects.

In their article, Seçkin Köstem and Melike Metintaş examine the role of multilateral development banks (MDBs) in financing connectivity through energy and transportation projects in Eurasia, emphasizing how their reorientation, particularly focusing on the Middle Corridor, contributes to geopolitical and economic cooperation.

Kenan Aslanlı analyzes the feasibility of energy and transportation connectivity projects through micro-foundations such as technical details, human behavior, networks, and financial dimensions, discussing the potential of these projects to shift power from states to technically capable private actors.

In her article, Tuba Eldem addresses strategic connectivity, which has become a significant area in global politics in the 21st century, focusing on large-scale projects such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). She examines the differences between this new era of “competitive connectivity” and traditional geopolitical competition and discusses how connectivity projects reshape global power dynamics.

The article by Özgür Tüfekçi, Muharrem Bayrak, and Hakan Uslu investigates the potential impact of Turkey's international trade with Middle Corridor (MC) countries, taking into account Turkey’s geopolitical and strategic role over the past two decades. Their analysis shows that Turkey’s trade with Middle Corridor countries positively correlates with the GDP per capita, religion, and linguistic similarities of importer countries, highlighting the significant policy benefits of strengthening economic relations via the Middle Corridor.

Turan Gafarlı examines the geopolitical importance of the South Caucasus and the strategic role of the Zangezur Corridor, which aims to connect Azerbaijan’s western regions with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. He analyzes the internal political and economic challenges, along with the influence of external geopolitical actors such as Iran, Turkey, and Russia, discussing the potential for the Zangezur Corridor to integrate with the Middle Corridor and transform regional dynamics.

Rahman Nurdun explores the evolution of China’s foreign aid policies in Africa through the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), initiated during the Mao Zedong era as a symbol of ideological solidarity. He discusses the transformation of China’s aid strategies and their implications for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Additionally, a commentary by Bilgehan Öztürk examines the decision by Ankara and Baghdad to jointly pursue the Development Road Project (DRP), which promises significant economic benefits despite the strained relations between the two since 2003. He discusses the project’s potential to establish a strategic partnership between the two countries and promote regional stability.

Click for reading the whole publication.