Mission

To provide a holistic regional analysis framework by examining the regional and civilizational basins with which Türkiye interacts at the intersection of history, belief, and geopolitics.

Strategic Rationale

Conventional regional classifications fail to adequately explain Türkiye’s historical and cultural ties stretching from Africa to Central Asia. This program approaches geography not merely as physical space, but as a civilization-based sphere of interaction, offering a more realistic analytical foundation.

Strategic Regions & Civilizational Basins

Program Positioning

Analyzing regions through history, belief, and strategic interaction rather than rigid geography.

This program approaches regions not merely as geographic units, but as civilizational and strategic basins shaped by historical continuity, belief systems, trade routes, and long-term interaction. It reflects Türkiye’s unique ability to engage simultaneously with Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Balkans, and beyond without civilizational rupture.

Core Focus Areas

1. Anatolia & Near Abroad

The strategic core and immediate neighborhood

Scope:

  • Türkiye as a central country
  • Immediate neighboring regions
  • Historical depth and contemporary strategic realities

Key Questions:

  • How does Türkiye’s geography translate into strategic depth?
  • What are the priorities in its near abroad?
  • How do history and proximity shape current policy choices?

Outputs:

  • Strategic assessments
  • Regional outlooks
  • Policy-oriented analyses

2. Middle East & Eastern Mediterranean

Geopolitics at the intersection of energy, security, and identity

Scope:

  • Levant, Gulf, and Eastern Mediterranean
  • Energy politics and maritime disputes
  • Political transitions and regional rivalries

Key Questions:

  • How is the regional order in the Middle East evolving?
  • What role does the Eastern Mediterranean play in global energy competition?
  • How can Türkiye balance security, diplomacy, and regional cooperation?

Outputs:

  • Regional dossiers
  • Energy and security analyses
  • Scenario-based reports

3. Africa & Red Sea Basin

A rising strategic corridor linking continents

Scope:

  • Sub-Saharan Africa and the Horn of Africa
  • Red Sea and maritime trade routes
  • Türkiye–Africa engagement

Key Questions:

  • Why is Africa central to future global power dynamics?
  • How does the Red Sea basin connect Africa, the Middle East, and Asia?
  • What differentiates Türkiye’s approach in Africa?

Outputs:

  • Country profiles
  • Corridor and maritime analyses
  • Long-term strategic forecasts

4. Caucasus & Central Asia

The Turkic heartland and Eurasian crossroads

Scope:

  • South Caucasus and Central Asia
  • Turkic states and regional organizations
  • Energy, transport, and security corridors

Key Questions:

  • How is the balance of power evolving in the Caucasus and Central Asia?
  • What role do Turkic institutions play in regional integration?
  • How do connectivity projects reshape Eurasia?

Outputs:

  • Regional power analyses
  • Integration and corridor studies
  • Strategic policy briefs

5. South & Southeast Asia

Demography, economy, and strategic competition

Scope:

  • South Asia and Southeast Asia
  • Muslim societies and emerging economies
  • Great power competition and regional alignments

Key Questions:

  • How do demographic trends shape regional power?
  • What are the implications of major power competition in Asia?
  • How can Türkiye deepen engagement in these regions?

Outputs:

  • Regional trend reports
  • Comparative analyses
  • Strategic engagement papers

6. Europe, Balkans & Diaspora Spaces

Historical continuity and contemporary interaction

Scope:

  • Europe and the Balkans
  • Muslim and Turkic communities
  • Migration, identity, and political dynamics

Key Questions:

  • How do diaspora communities influence regional relations?
  • What is the future of Türkiye–Europe relations?
  • How do identity and politics intersect in Europe and the Balkans?

Outputs:

  • Diaspora studies
  • Governance and identity analyses
  • Policy-oriented commentaries

Program Intersections

This program intersects closely with:

  • Power, Geopolitics & Civilizational Order — for systemic analysis
  • Economy, Trade & Connectivity — for corridors and markets
  • Security & Defense — for regional stability and conflict dynamics

Strategic Note

The Strategic Regions & Civilizational Basins program provides the spatial and civilizational framework upon which all other Turk Alliance programs are built. By moving beyond rigid geographic categorizations, it offers a more accurate and historically grounded understanding of regional dynamics.