Introduction*
The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 was a watershed moment for the Turkic World as it created a new geopolitical reality, opening up new opportunities for cooperation and collaboration. For centuries, borders, empires, and ideologies had divided Turkic peoples. However, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, these barriers were finally removed, and Turkic people were able to come together and reconnect with their shared history, culture, and language. Moreover, the Turkic states gained their independence in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Thus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan were included in the international system, and together with Türkiye, they all created the Turkic World.