Insight Turkey / issues

Editor's Note | Summer 2022

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 16:12:00 GMT

We endeavored to explore as many facets as possible of the interplay between new technology advancements and Turkish technopolitics in the Summer 2022 issue of Insight Turkey. We hope and believe that the insightful and stimulating debates raised on the issue will be helpful to our readers.

The Relationship between Cultural Power and Education in Light of the Development of Education in Türkiye over the Last Two Decades

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 17:17:00 GMT

Over the last 20 years, Türkiye’s education system has undergone a period of transformation. The process of universalization from primary to higher education was largely achieved as Türkiye prioritized regions with comparatively lower schooling rates by making grand investments and conducting major projects. Furthermore, hiring new teachers and investing in new schools and classrooms have increased the quality of education, even as schooling rates rose. These investments and improvements led to a simultaneous rise in both universalization and quality in Türkiye’s education system. Significantly, they also led to increases in the democratic aspects of education; the coefficient regulation and the headscarf ban were removed. Diversity in elective courses also increased in response to social demand, and academic support for all students expanded. Together, these changes indicate that Türkiye’s education system has overcome the challenges it had inherited from the past and has increased its capacity to become even more effective and equitable for all children.

The 4th Industrial Revolution, Military-Civil Fusion, and the Next RMA

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 15:22:00 GMT

The technologies embedded in the emerging 4th industrial revolution (4IR) –and artificial intelligence (AI) in particular– promise to constitute a disruptive paradigm shift in the future nature and conduct of warfare. These technologies will likely also have a major impact on the competitions between great powers, countries that aspire to be leading regional players or nations that see technology as a critical force multiplier. It is important to understand what new and emerging critical technologies are challenging the traditional warfighting paradigm and how militaries might access and leverage these innovations. This entails an examination of the potential military-technical impact of technologies embedded in the 4IR, as well as the means –generally described as ‘military-civil fusion’– for exploiting those technologies for military capability and advantage.

Earth Power in the New Geopolitics

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 15:28:00 GMT

The best way to think about the climate emergency is to imagine humanity has just arrived at a new planet somewhere in a distant galaxy. After all, as scientists tell us, our planet Earth will soon look like a new planet, with conditions radically changed from the ‘climate niche’ of the past 10,000 years, during which human civilization developed. Once settled on the new planet, our task is to terraform it, to build a new natural environment fit for human life and human flourishing. My general approach to the politics of climate change thus differs from the most common view among environmentalists. I do not believe we can speak of climate change as a product of the Anthropocene, the human-built world. Our inability to control the consequences of climate change shows this is still at heart a natural process, one triggered by human beings or, more specifically, by our limited ability to control natural processes and therefore by our incapacity to control the unintended consequences of our actions and choices. The solution to the climate emergency is not to exit the Anthropocene but, intriguingly, to enter it for the first time. The world building is a task significantly full of existential meaning and urgency.

Food Corridor: Türkiye’s Successful Role as Mediator

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 15:33:00 GMT

Türkiye’s latest success, in bringing the warring sides of Ukraine and Russia to an agreement on the export of grain out of Ukraine’s ports, is due to Ankara’s long time rational strategy of having access to both capitals by keeping the dialog open even during times of conflict. At last, the newly signed grain deal is going to be effective in helping to avert the anticipated worldwide food shortages. This commentary aims to understand the details of this grain deal by focusing first on the Turkish diplomacy that has been on track before and during the Ukraine war, with the Russian and Ukrainian governments.

Serbia and the War in Ukraine

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 15:40:00 GMT

The war in Ukraine has created a situation in which the Republic of Serbia may see an opportunity to take up some unfinished business; for this purpose, Serbia has recently been purchasing armaments from Russia and China and has sought also to purchase 12 fighter jets from France. The Serbian government does not recognize the sovereignty of Kosovo and regards the land controlled by Prishtina as rightfully Serbian, while the Republika Srpska (the Serb part of Bosnia-Herzegovina) has sought for years to secede from union with the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and to unite with Serbia. The weapons may figure as a way to pressure and intimidate the Albanians of Kosovo to return to the negotiating table and to present the Bosnian government in Sarajevo with a fait accompli.

The Metaverse Diplomacy: A Future Vision for Türkiye

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 13:19:00 GMT

One of the critical questions for the future of the Metaverse is whether it will be global and singular –or multiple, company or country based. This question is yet to be answered, but unique metaverse universes, which will be built based on regional integrations rather than McWorld monopolization, will gain value in the future for the healthy operation of the Metaverse. The Organization of Turkic States (OTS), which was developed into an international organizational structure through the initiative of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last year, offers a form whose effectiveness is increasing daily in the global system, in keeping with the 2040 Vision of the Turkic World. Under Türkiye’s leadership, the Turkoverse, a unique Metaverse universe in which the members of the OTS will interact, can be built. By integrating the capital cities of the member states into this structure, their geographical distance will be eliminated, and the free movement of labor and money within the Turkic World will be possible. Ultimately, this step will protect Türkiye and other Turkic states from uncertainties about the future of the larger Metaverse. This paper investigates the extent to which the Metaverse is the next big thing in diplomacy and how Türkiye can impact the formation of a new norm that will eventually affect the global system.

The Proliferation of Combat Drones in Civil and Interstate Conflicts: The Case of Türkiye and Azerbaijan

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 13:27:00 GMT

Recent developments in conflict zones show the proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or combat drones and how they transform and shape new warfare. A rapidly growing literature examines UAV’s performance and utilization by the first generation of drone producers and users like the U.S. and Israel. However, the acquisition, proliferation, and production of combat drones by middle and small states and how these new technologies are applied in warfare by these countries have attracted less attention. The paper explores Türkiye as a producer and active user of UAVs in conflicts in Africa and the Middle East and Azerbaijan as a small state that is a consumer of Turkish and Israeli drones. The paper argues that drones provide an advantage on the battlefield, increase precision in wars, and expand the methods used in wars against insurgency; however, the proliferation of drones simultaneously makes states prone to war and so increases the vulnerability of regional peace and security.

Türkiye in the Global Cybersecurity Arena: Strategies in Theory and Practice

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 13:06:00 GMT

The threat of malicious actors is a growing fear among all cyberspace stakeholders, particularly states, who are primarily responsible for national security, including the protection of critical infrastructure. Taking into consideration the major cyberattacks of the last three decades and their impacts on international society, a comprehensive strategy is needed to defend cyberspace against malware and to provide a safe and free cyber ecosystem. Türkiye, like many countries, has developed cyber strategies to respond to such threats in the last decade. This paper addresses a set of interrelated cybersecurity issues; central among them is the question, “Is Türkiye’s cybersecurity strategy properly devised to cope with the new security environment in the anarchic world of cyberspace?” Türkiye’s national cybersecurity strategy has undergone several changes since 2013, each representing an attempt to address the evolving cybersecurity landscape. These strategies have been successful in some areas, such as Türkiye’s legal, capacity-building, and organizational structure, but have been less successful in terms of technical measures. This article applies a macro-analysis framework that encompasses both quantitative and qualitative research to analyze Türkiye’s cybersecurity strategies in theory and practice. The findings of this analysis suggest that Türkiye is still vulnerable to a possible major cyber-attack.

The Operational Capacity of Turkish Intelligence within the Scope of Use of High-Technology Products

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 13:16:00 GMT

This study evaluates the increasing operational capacity of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (Millî İstihbarat Teşkilatı, MİT) within the scope of the high-technology products Türkiye has been developing, especially in the last 10 years. Türkiye’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program has made a significant contribution to MİT’s operational power and to Türkiye’s military capacity. MİT has effectively used armed and unarmed UAVs in counter-terrorism activities in Türkiye, Syria, and Iraq; it can obtain instant intelligence relating to terrorist targets and plan operational activities via effective Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) collection methods. The espionage provision that enables political decision-makers to make real-time decisions based on this intelligence plays a great role in determining Türkiye’s regional policy strategies. Another hightech advance that contributes significantly to MİT’s operational capacity is the Intelligence, Test, and Training ship, the Turkish Coast Guard (TCG) Ufuk, Türkiye’s first national intelligence ship. As of January 2022, the use of the TCG Ufuk began to significantly increase MİT’s technical intelligence capacity. This article analyzes the contribution of Türkiye’s increasing capacity to develop high-tech products to the operational efficiency of Turkish intelligence, along with the intelligence cycle model followed by MİT within the scope of Türkiye’s counter-terrorism and foreign espionage activities.

Digitalization of Governments during the Pandemic: The Case of Türkiye

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 14:47:00 GMT

This study questions how the increasing digitalization of public administrations has been affected by the pandemic process with the rising use of technology in administrative functions. The general digitalization processes and the pandemic period’s effects were examined in this context. Then, the case of Türkiye and the digitalization steps taken by the government in different policy topics were discussed. The practices and policies developed by the local and central governments have been addressed in this context. As a result, the outputs of digital service delivery, which became widespread during the pandemic, were evaluated in relation to Türkiye. The efforts and potential benefits of this period are also emphasized. In addition, the risks and opportunities of digitalization in Türkiye were discussed. From this point of view, evaluations were made on the present and future steps.

Vaccine Diplomacy as a Form of Soft Power: The Successful Case of Türkiye

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 14:56:00 GMT

The coronavirus pandemic has been raging across the globe for more than two years, claiming over 6 million lives and severely upending daily routines. It is no wonder that the production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, known as the most effective and widespread tool in the fight against this sad chapter in recent history, has become an essential element of international politics. Both the race for geopolitical leverage and the emerging health technologies have affected Ankara, which has been seeking its niche in the post-COVID-19 international system. Though its Sputnik V vaccine deal with Russia casted doubt on Türkiye’s intentions as part of the Euro-Atlantic common front, the country has emerged as a generous humanitarian aid provider and secured its place among a handful of nations who can boast homegrown SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. This article uses the soft power theoretical framework to analyze Türkiye’s vaccine diplomacy and its role in the country’s efforts to maintain and boost its stakes in the global power configuration.

Digital Currencies and Monetary Policy in the New Era

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 15:03:00 GMT

The centuries-old financial structure and the modern financial system are built on physical currencies. After the global financial crisis of 2008-2009 and the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, along with the introduction of all-new cryptocurrencies and stable coins, even many central banks have voiced an interest in the introduction of digital currencies. Hence, the pros and cons of the new central bank digital currencies (CBDC) are the newest widely discussed topic. This paper focuses on the ways a new instrument, central bank digital currency (CBDC), is expected to improve the modern payment systems, increase the efficacy of monetary policy and ensure financial stability in the new era. The study concludes that although CBDCs might boost monetary policy effectiveness and financial stability, it is vital to reevaluate and thoroughly analyse the geopolitical, geoeconomic, and geostrategic implications and effects of having a CBDC.

Energy Supply Security and Artificial Intelligence Applications

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 15:11:00 GMT

There are various options and instruments to ensure energy security, which is very important in terms of accepting energy efficiency as a source of supply and implementing an innovative political perspective. When energy efficiency practices are supported by relatively rich renewable energy resources, it will be possible to reduce the energy import bill. In this process, coal, and nuclear options, as well as renewable energy, may play a prominent role on the supply side. In this context, the necessity of a well-functioning legal system, an independent decision-making authority, and a well-developed accountability institution to make the necessary investments remains important. In integrated cooperation with artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and machine learning technologies, it is possible to store, process, and manage data, which creates energy supply security, with less time and cost. Advanced technology continues to permeate every aspect of the modern world, and the energy industry is no exception. Artificial intelligence has all the capabilities that can radically change or even revolutionize the energy industry. This study predicts that in the near future AI will go from being a useful technological marvel to being the most influential decision-maker in the energy industry.

Different Perspectives on the Syrian Crisis

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 13:25:00 GMT

As we observe and reflect on the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the Syrian civil war, the literature helps us make sense of the past, present, and future of the conflict with its surrounding dynamics. The books we review in this article constitute a part of a collective scholarly effort to explain and understand the worst crisis of the century. It is with the help of these books that we have a chance to have a scholarly discussion about the Syrian crisis. Both Abhyankar’s Syria: A Tragedy of Pivotal State and Rabinovitch and Valensi’s Syria: A Requiem are explanatory explanations written by practitioners and researchers with a realist approach. Vignal’s account in Wartorn: The Unmaking of Syria, on the other hand, is more on the social side of the spectrum with her thorough analysis of events with a rather humanitarian tone.

Truths and Lies in the Middle East: Memoirs of a Veteran Journalist, 1952-2012

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 15:46:00 GMT

The New Map offers a detailed perspective on energy, geopolitics, great power competition, and the environment by connecting historical information with current developments. The perspective Yergin offers is far from pedantic and proceeds as if it were an engaging story‒a continuation from certain starting points found in his previous books: the origins of the new Cold War, the ongoing intermingling of oil and geopolitics, and fragmented globalization. Therefore, those familiar with Yergin’s previous works can see where and how the lines of thought found there evolved into and throughout this book. Yergin has developed a historical, global, and strategic perspective and writes with mastery in describing where the world is heading and the direction of possible changes. In a nutshell, The New Map is a good beginner’s book, especially for those interested in the role of climate in shaping the future of energy.

Türkiye as a Stabilizing Power in an Age of Turmoil

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:40:00 GMT

The clear structure and reader-friendly language make Türkiye as a Stabilizing Power in an Age of Turmoil an easily comprehensible trove of information. Türkiye as a Stabilizing Power in an Age of Turmoil will be very beneficial for those who study international relations or who work in this field, whether as academicians, bureaucrats, or diplomats. Students, researchers, and laypeople interested in international relations and foreign policy will benefit from this well-designed and insightful piece of work. Along with its scholarly value, the book will be of considerable interest to anybody curious about international relations and countries’ reactions in a time of worldwide turmoil.

Turkish-Russian Relations: Prospects and Challenges

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:59:00 GMT

Although the book promises an exciting contribution to the literature on Turkish-Russian relations, it remains inadequate in fulfilling its aims due to the chapters’ brevity, the shallowness of the analyses, and the general lack of academic rigor. Although it aims to present “the most popular areas of cooperation of Turkish-Russian relations” (p. 88), some chapters, such as chapter 8, fail to do so altogether. The lacuna that the book promises to fill, which is the need to focus on mostly ignored dimensions of relations between Russia and Türkiye, would have attracted many scholars in different fields if the content had been handled neatly. Instead, Turkish-Russian Relations: Prospects and Challenges constitutes a missed opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the literature on this topic.

Cyberwars in the Middle East

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 12:47:00 GMT

Cyberwars in the Middle East is a study that spans a decade of cybercorporations in the Middle East, presented as an investigation of several cases of cyberwars in international, regional, and internal politics. al-Rawi presents empirical findings based on several case studies using mixed methods; sources of the book include academic references, social media, newly declassified documents, the WikiLeaks archive, and news reports. Other scholars, experts, and practitioners will find al-Rawi’s cyberwar model useful in studying other geographical regions and contexts. Al-Rawi encourages future research to examine the many unexplored aspects of this field, such as interviewing trolls to get a better understanding of their viewpoints and motivation.

When Can Oil Economies Be Deemed Sustainable?

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:05:00 GMT

The book’s holistic approach to tackling the matter at hand benefits a wide audience, from students to policymakers. GCC nationals in favor of sustainable development and diversification in both the private sector and the government can benefit from this work to push for national development. The private sector in the GCC is significant in this discussion; chapters 10 and 11 help them understand the type of pressure and official expectations they might face. Simultaneously, the book conveys to policymakers that diversification of revenue sources can be achieved by tackling social challenges, systematically developing the private sector, and upskilling the national labor force. However, the book fails to clarify convincingly why sustainable development does not occur when a throw diagnosis exists.

Competing Ideologies in the Late Ottoman Empire and Early Turkish Republic: Selected Writings of Islamist, Turkist, and Westernist Intellectuals

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:32:00 GMT

Competing Ideologies in the Late Ottoman Empire and Early Turkish Republic should be on the reading list of students and academics interested in the intellectual history of the Middle East, especially non-Turkish speaking readers. All in all, despite its deficiencies mentioned above, the book makes a handy contribution for those who would like to see an introductory comparison between the ideologies of the period through the lens of the selected and translated writings of the late Ottoman intellectuals.

The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 15:27:00 GMT

The New Map offers a detailed perspective on energy, geopolitics, great power competition, and the environment by connecting historical information with current developments. The perspective Yergin offers is far from pedantic and proceeds as if it were an engaging story‒ a continuation from certain starting points found in his previous books: the origins of the new Cold War, the ongoing intermingling of oil and geopolitics, and fragmented globalization. Therefore, those familiar with Yergin’s previous works can see where and how the lines of thought found there evolved into and throughout this book. Yergin has developed a historical, global, and strategic perspective and writes with mastery in describing where the world is heading and the direction of possible changes. In a nutshell, The New Map is a good beginner’s book, especially for those interested in the role of climate in shaping the future of energy.

Turkey’s Security: New Threats, Indigenous Solutions, and Overseas Stretch

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 15:45:00 GMT

Turkey’s Security: New Threats, Indigenous Solutions and Overseas Stretch is remarkably thorough. Even readers completely unfamiliar with Türkiye’s historical and recent security issues, problems, deficiencies, and achievements would have a respectable grasp of these topics by the time they finish the book. The book makes a compelling argument that Türkiye faces formidable adversaries, so it should be more powerful, careful, and productive on its security issues, policies, and investments, and should diminish its dependence on foreign sources in the defense industry and apply security policies even more cleverly. I recommend this book to university students, academicians, and people who want to know Türkiye’s security issues comprehensively and encapsulated from several decades ago to today.

The Rise of the GCC States and Turkey: Convergent and Divergent Regional Agendas

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 16:07:00 GMT

Apart from the aforementioned omission, the book will be of great interest to researchers and scholars interested in understanding the continuous power politics struggle between the GCC and Türkiye. Kaddorah successfully provides the motives paving the way for the Gulf reconciliation in detail to help readers comprehend the recent diplomatic efforts of the GCC states to review and renew their bilateral relations with Türkiye.

East Asia’s Strategic Advantage in the Middle East

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 16:22:00 GMT

East Asia’s Strategic Advantage in the Middle East succeeds in presenting an overview of the opportunities for both regions to forgea deeper partnership. Azad articulately examines the historical facts and compellingly presents the prospects for strategic partnerships. The caveats mentioned above suggest the need for further attentiveness to the nuances of the Middle East’s volatile complexity, and more detailed consideration of the part East Asia may wish to play there –specifically how it will differentiate its involvement from that of the West as relations between the regions evolve. Nonetheless, the book deserves appreciation for filling the gap in the knowledge of strategic relations between two important regions that are often overlooked in the global political discourse. The book will be a great benefit to anyone interested in Middle Eastern and/or Asian politics.

Web Panel | Technological Developments in Türkiye

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 11:54:00 GMT

After the publication of the Summer 2022 special issue “Embracing Emerging Technologies,” Insight Turkey coordinated a panel where distinguished participants shared their opinions on the technological developments in Türkiye. Insight Turkey hopes that the panel is fruitful and provides a better understanding of the issue at hand. The full panel can be found on our Youtube channel.