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Explore the unique geography, ancient history, powerful empires, Ottoman legacy, and modern developments of Turkey. Discover its pivotal role bridging continents, its rich cultural heritage, and its strategic importance in global affairs. From the rise and fall of empires to its modern-day democratic journey, Turkey's story is as diverse and dynamic as its landscape. This country profile provides a comprehensive overview of Turkey's past, present, and future prospects, shedding light on its contributions to world history and contemporary geopolitics.
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Country Profile: Turkey By Jason Russell
Backgrounder in Geography • Turkey is located on the Anatolian Peninsula • The political capital of Turkey is Ankara • The largest city & cultural hub is Istanbul • It’s the gateway between Europe & the Middle East & Central Asia, bordering Greece & Bulgaria in Europe & Iran, Iraq Syria in the MidEast and Armenia/ Azerbaijan in Central Asia
Geography Cont’d • What is the significance of Turkey’s geography? • Politically and culturally thrown • Economically significant • Geostrategic importance
Ancient History • Turkey features some of the first Neolithic settlements in the world (app. 11000-yo) • Troy, one of the world’s oldest cities, was founded between 1200 & 1300 BC. • Early influence on Indo-European language
Empires • The Hittite Empire (Assyrians) (1950-600 BC) • Greeks founded Byzantium around 1200 BC • Phyrgians & their successor states • Persians, Alexander the Great (app. 334 BC) • In 324 BC, Contantine I names Byzantium the capital of the New Roman Empire (Byzantine or Eastern Roman Empire)
Empires Cont’d • 10th century Seljuk Empire • Established around 950 BC by Beg Seljuq
The Seljuk Empire • Alp Arslan, grandson of Seljuq, added Armenia and Georgia to the Empire, putting him into direct contact w the Byzantine Empire • The Byzantine Empire’s military is in disarray – Constantine’s IX & X are noobz • Romanos IV sees the fall of Armenia & Georgia and attempts to halt the bleeding
The Battle of Manzikert (1071 BC) • Romanos does everything wrong • Seljuk hit & run tactics • PMC’s • Bad intel • Splits the force • Doukas allegiances & the rear guard
The Captivity of Romanos • Alp Arslan: "What would you do if I were brought before you as a prisoner?" • Romanos: "Perhaps I'd kill you, or exhibit you in the streets of Constantinople." • Alp Arslan: "My punishment is far heavier. I forgive you, and set you free.“ • This act begins the fall of the Byzantine Empire & the rule of the Ottoman Turks
The Ottoman Empire • 1243 – Defeated by the Mongols • 1299 – Osman I declares independence & starts fronting on the Byzantines • 1453 – Mehmed II conquers the Byzantine Empire by taking Constantinople
Ottoman Empire Cont’d • The Ottoman’s are one of history’s great empires, controlling chunks of the Med Sea and Central Europe • Suleiman the Magnificent (a sick name) – 16th century sultan
WWI & The Armenian Genocide • The Ottoman Empire was a Central Power • Armenian Genocide (1915-1917) • 600k to 1.5 million dead • Religious roots – Armenians were Christians • Geostrategic application (Russia & rebellion) • "The annihilation of the Armenian nation in Asia Minor must revolt all human feelings...The way the Armenian problem was solved was hair-raising. I can still see in front of me Talaat’s cynical expression, when he emphasized that the Armenian question was solved." • Defeated by the Allies in 1919
The Dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and the founding of Turkey • Divided into 40 modern countries in Europe, Africa, & Asia • Turkish War of Independence (1919–1922) • Foundation of Republic of Turkey (1923) • See ya Sultan
The Roots of Modern Turkey • Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk or “Father Turk”) • Established radical reforms for secularism • Barely involved in WWII (ceremonial support for Allies) • Charter member of United Nations • Russian pressure for military presence in Turkey prompted American military & economic support • Joined NATO in 1952
Cyprus • Historically, Greek (dating back to the Hellenistic period) • 1573-1919 – Ottoman’s administered the island & Turks populated large areas of the North • 1919 – Britain annexes Cyprus; opposes self-determination • 1954 – Greece, post-revolution, is no longer allied w Britain and pushes for Cyprus to join Greece; Turkey declares its intent to push for control of Cyprus due to links to Ottomans. • 1960 – Republic of Cyprus • In between, everybody kills everyone else
Turkey Today • Turkey is a parliamentary republic. • They’re a large economy on the outside looking in, surrounded by OPEC & EU states. • Secular state, culturally Muslim • Their prime minister is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. • He represents the economically conservative AKP (or Justice & Development) party. • Their primary issue is economic liberalization w an eye toward accession to the EU.
Turkish Foreign Relations • The big deal in Turkey is EU accession. Their economy is export-driven and accession will afford them rights & protections that help exporting. • They’re an important U.S. strategic & military ally – 2nd biggest standing army in NATO (behind us), participate in PKO’s, the 1st Gulf War, buy a lot of U.S. arms • Critical oil route to Balkans & Caucasus
U.S. Military Presence in Turkey • Incirlik Air Base – App. 1,500 U.S. airmen in the 39th Air Base Wing • NATO nuclear sharing – 90 nuclear weapons, 40 under Turkish command • B61 bombs are aircraft delivered, variable yield bombs. • Incirlik was a launching point for troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, & relief for the South Asian earthquake. • In 2007, Chuck Norris visited incirlik on his way back to the United States after visiting Iraq.
Why Turkey? • Strategic significance • Proximity to Iraq (70% of supplies & fuel) & Afghanistan (only an 8 hour flight – 50% shorter than other routes) • Influence – Iran, Russia, & potentially China are competitors • NATO/EU • Moderating radical Islam
Why U.S.? • Economic & military support • Trade • Aid • Arms sales • Defense from terrorism (The PKK) • Political backing
What’s the Problem? • Economic reform • U.S. influence in a primarily Muslim country is touchy. • Motivates & provides a visible symbol for terrorist opposition. • The Armenian genocide question
The PKK • The Kurdistan Workers Party • Many Kurdish rebels have been living in Northern Iraq, but are repatriating to Turkey • Left-wing opposition to conservative ruling party • This month, PKK scrapped their ceasefire w the gov’t • Monday, attacked a bus in Istanbul (atypical, they usually fight in the rural Southeast, not the European Northwest) • Both the military and the PKK are aggressive
PKK Cont’d • Pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) was outlawed and resigned from the parliament. • Conciliatory moves by Erdogan have been criticized • Impacts Israeli rel’s
Shifting Toward the East • Erdogan is losing faith in the West • The EU is dragging its feet • The U.S. is ineffective in Afghanistan • Israeli violence in Gaza has resulted in collateral damage to Turkish groups tied to the prime minister • Won’t label Hamas a terrorist organization • The results? • Cozying up to Iran • Disinterested in NATO • Split w the military • Opposition to UN sanctions on Iran
Rising Nationalism • A June 2007 Pew Research Center survey found that only 9% of Turkish citizens have a favorable opinion of the United States, the lowest percentage out of all 47 countries surveyed • Political parties have hardened their ideological slants • Iraq – U.S. mishandling = blame for PKK
Turkey & The Topic • Affs • TNW’s • Defense Cooperative Agreement (arms sales) • Incirlik Transport • Troop Pull-out • Summary: Not the best area, but potential for tricky affs
Turkey Disads • Turkish Politics • PKK Appeasement • Turkey Relations • Turkish Economy • Russia & Iran • What other affs impact Turkey? • Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan • Turkey Relations Good could be an impact to all three
Turkey CP’s • Conditions • On PKK ceasefire • On Iran sanctions backing • On Hamas labeling • On Israeli relations • On economic reform • On oil rights • Consult • Just ask em… • Consult w NATO • Consult w the EU
Turkey & T • Is removing TNW’s topical? • Is not requesting support flights topical? • Is canceling arms sales topical?
Turkey K’s • Islamophobia • Orientalism • K’s of hegemony/soft power • The Bomb
Conclusion • Turkey is in a complicated position in the topic • It’s relationship w the U.S. & the rest of the West is in flux • It’s quite literally at the heart of the topic • The obvious aff’s are only ok, but the role of Turkey in all of the aff’s is strong