Discover Türkiye’s Strategic Role as Eurasia’s Bridge

Türkiye is often called a “Eurasian bridge” because this strategic nation straddles between Europe and Asia. Thus, throughout history, it has shaped Türkiye’s role in global politics, trade, and cultural exchanges.

Türkiye as a Eurasian Bridge: Geographical Significance

Strategic Location

Located along the Anatolian plateau of West Asia is Türkiye: It forms a land bridge that links Iran, the Caucasus (Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia), and the Levant (Iraq and Syria) with South-eastern Europe (Greece and Bulgaria).

Three seas surround Türkiye: the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Aegean Sea. Türkiye controls access to the Black and Mediterranean Seas through the Bosporus and the Dardanelles Strait.

The Bosporus Strait, which runs through Istanbul, connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, facilitating maritime traffic. At the same time, the Dardanelles connects the Sea of Marmara with the Mediterranean and the Aegean Seas.

Thus, Türkiye is at the crossroads of three continents (Asia, Europe, and Africa), converging across the Mediterranean Sea. Thus, it is a Eurasian Bridge.

NATO and Western Alliances

Türkiye’s position as an Eurasian Bridge makes it a vital ally of NATO.

• NATO Membership: Türkiye joined NATO on February 18, 1952, amid the Cold War. Its membership offers NATO alliance access to the Black Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, and the Middle East.
• Rationale for Joining NATO:
  • To bolster its national defense through collective security amid the Cold War,
  • Leverage its strategic location as a buffer for NATO.
  • Boost ties with Western nations and integrate into Western political and economic structures.
  • To access military aid and resources from NATO to modernize its armed forces
  • To benefit from NATO’s Article 5 commitment.
• Military Capabilities: Türkiye has one of the largest standing militaries in NATO. It has also contributed troops and equipment to various NATO operations and missions, including in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and the Balkans.
• Bases & Infrastructure: Türkiye hosts a strategic NATO military base, the Incirlik Air Base.
• Role of Incirlik Air Base:
  • Serves as a critical hub for NATO missions in Europe and the Middle East.
  • Assists in NATO’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions in the Middle East.
  • Houses America’s Nuclear weapons as part of NATO’s nuclear sharing program.
• Challenges: As a Eurasian bridge, Türkiye’s pursuit of ties with Russia and participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a significant issue for NATO.
• Continued Engagement: Despite challenges, Türkiye remains a key player in NATO. At the same time, it will pursue ties with key Eurasian powers, Russia & China, to further its national interest as a Eurasian bridge.

Relations with Neighboring Regions

As a Eurasian land bridge, Türkiye maintains complex ties with neighboring countries, including Russia, the European Union, Iran, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Balkans.

Allies

• European Union Members: Türkiye cooperates closely with the European Union regarding trade and security because Türkiye is an Eurasian land bridge spanning Europe and Asia. However, political clashes and Türkiye’s stalled EU membership bid complicate EU-Turkey ties.
• Azerbaijan: Türkiye & Azerbaijan maintain strong ties due to cultural and strategic interests, especially in energy. Türkiye supported Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
• Qatar: Türkiye and Qatar maintain a close alliance, cooperating in defense, trade, and regional politics. Türkiye has a military base in Qatar. Both countries support the Muslim Brotherhood and various Islamist movements.
• Libya: Türkiye supports the Government of National Unity in Libya.
• Russia: Despite complex relations, Türkiye and Russia cooperate on energy (Turkish Stream pipeline) and regional conflicts (Syria). However, they also have conflicting interests in areas like NATO.
• Central Asian States: Türkiye has cultural, economic, and historical ties with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Rivals

• UAE & Saudi Arabia: Türkiye competes with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, especially over influence in Libya and Syria and support for political Islamist movements. Recently, Türkiye has moved to mend ties with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
• Iran: Türkiye and Iran have complex ties marked by cooperation and rivalry. They compete for influence in Iraq and Syria. In Syria, Iran supports the Assad Govt, while Türkiye seeks regime change.
• Egypt: Relations with Egypt have been strained since 2013 when the Egyptian military ousted former President Mohamed Morsi, whom Türkiye supported. Also, Egypt views Türkiye as a rival because Türkiye supports the Muslim Brotherhood.
• Israel: Relations between Türkiye and Israel have been volatile due to Turkey’s support for the Palestinians. While they have periods of collaboration, political tensions often disrupt diplomatic relations.

Economic & Trade Hub: Türkiye Eurasia Bridge

Turkey’s location connects key markets in Europe, Asia, and Africa, facilitating trade routes for goods and services.

Key Export Partners

• Germany: Turkey’s largest trading partner in Eurasia. A key importer of Turkish vehicles, textiles, and machinery.
• United States: Imports Turkish electronics, machinery, and textiles.
• Iraq: Major importer of Turkish food products, construction materials, and machinery.
• United Kingdom: A key market for Turkish textiles, machinery, and automotive parts.
• Italy: Another key trading partner within Europe.

Trade Corridors

Türkiye has invested billions in upgrading its infrastructure to enhance trade routes, which consist of pipelines, railways, etc.

Here’s a summary of Turkey’s major trade corridors:

• Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route): This route connects China to Europe through Kazakhstan (Central Asia), the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye, bypassing Russia.
• Turkish Stream Pipeline: This gas pipeline transports Russia’s gas from Anapa in Russia’s Krasnodar Region, crossing the Black Sea to the receiving terminal at Kıyıköy in Türkiye. Some gas flows to European countries like Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Serbia.
• Southern Gas Corridor: This corridor brings natural gas from the Caspian region, precisely Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz field, through Türkiye to Europe via the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).

Energy Pipeline: Eurasian Energy Bridge between Europe and Asia

• Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline: This crude oil pipeline spans from Baku, Azerbaijan, through Tbilisi, Georgia, to the port of Ceyhan on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast. It allows the daily transport of 1 million barrels of Caspian oil to European markets, bypassing Russian territory.
• Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline: Part of the Southern Gas Corridor transports gas from Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz field through Türkiye to Europe, connecting with the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline at the Turkish-Greek border.
• Trans Adriatic Pipeline: This pipeline carries gas from the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline into Europe, reaching Italy through Greece and Albania.
• Blue Stream Pipeline: A natural gas pipeline transports gas from Russia to Türkiye across the Black Sea, connecting to Türkiye for European exports.

Belt & Road Initiative

Türkiye is actively involved in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), particularly as it develops infrastructure that links Asia to Europe through its territory. Here is a list of Turkey’s key Belt and Road projects:

• Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway: railway line linking Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, to Turkey’s Kars via Tbilisi, Georgia. The BTK railway reduces transit time for goods between Asia and Europe, positioning Türkiye as a critical Eurasian bridge—part of the Middle Corridor route.
• Marmaray Tunnel: An underwater rail tunnel under the Bosporus Strait in Istanbul that connects the European and Asian sides, allowing uninterrupted rail freight from Asia to Europe. It allows for continuous rail transport between Asia and Europe.
• Eurasia Tunnel: A roadway tunnel under the Bosporus Strait connecting Istanbul’s European and Asian sides for passenger and freight vehicles.
• Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (Third Bosporus Bridge): This bridge, completed in 2016, connects the European and Asian sides of Istanbul and is part of the Northern Marmara Highway. Supports freight and transit traffic as part of Turkey’s integration into the BRI.
• Istanbul Airport: One of the world’s largest airports. It serves as a global hub for BRI air cargo, linking Asia, Africa, and Europe.
• Filyos Port: Turkey’s Black Sea port handles maritime traffic from Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe.
• Gebze-Halkali Railway Line: An Istanbul suburban rail line connecting with the Marmaray Tunnel, enabling constant rail transit across Eurasia.
• Çanakkale 1915 Bridge (Dardanelles Bridge): A suspension bridge over the Dardanelles Strait, providing a critical road link between Europe and Asia for the BRI.
• Northern Marmara Highway: A highway bypass around Istanbul, connecting industrial hubs.

Logistical Base & Ports

• • Istanbul Logistics Center: Turkey’s largest, is a crucial hub for warehousing and distribution, enhancing connectivity with global markets.
  • Gebze Logistics Center: Located near Istanbul, this park supports manufacturing and logistics operations, benefiting from its proximity to vital industrial sites.
  • Marmara Logistics Center: Situated in the Marmara region, it enhances the flow of goods between Europe and Asia.
  • Kars Logistics Center: This center supports the BTK railway, which ensures proper cargo handling and customs operations for goods moving along the Middle Corridor.

Strategic Ports

• • Port of Istanbul: A critical maritime gateway for trade, accommodating container and bulk cargo.
  • Port of Izmir: Important for export-oriented industries, facilitating trade with Europe and Asia.
  • Port of Mersin: A crucial hub for Mediterranean trade, supporting the export of agricultural and industrial products.

Türkiye as a Eurasian Cultural Bridge

Türkiye is often described as a Eurasian cultural bridge because it serves as a meeting point for civilizations, trade routes, and religious traditions between Asia and Europe.

Historical and Civilizational Influence

• Ancient Civilizations: Turkey is home to the Hittites, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. Therefore, it has absorbed and preserved many traditions.
• Ottoman Empire (1299–1922): A vast empire that incorporated Middle Eastern, Balkan, and Mediterranean cultures, spreading Islamic, Turkish, and Persian influences into Europe and vice versa.

Religious and Cultural Fusion

• Islamic and Christian Heritage: Although Türkiye has a strong Islamic identity, it has also preserved Christian sites like the Hagia Sophia.
• Cuisine: A mix of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian flavors, with dishes like kebabs, mezes, and baklava.
• Music & Arts: A blend of Anatolian folk, Ottoman classical, and modern Western genres.

Linguistic and Ethnic Diversity

• The Turkish language has Persian, Arabic, and European influences.
• Ethnic diversity includes Turks, Kurds, Greeks, Armenians, and others, contributing to a rich culture.

Modern Role as a Cultural Bridge

• EU and NATO Membership Aspirations: Türkiye maintains strong links with the West while preserving its Eastern identity.
• Tourism & Global Influence: Istanbul attracts millions of visitors as a city blending East and West.
• Diplomatic Mediator: Turkey often mediates between Western and Eastern nations in political conflicts.