Türkiye’s Role as a Link Between Europe and the Middle East
Türkiye’s geostrategic location, combined with its historical and cultural ties to both Europe and the Middle East, positions the Country as a conduit between the East and the West. Straddling both regions, Türkiye is influenced by—and in turn influences—the developments occurring in Europe and the Middle East. Its long-standing foreign policy has two key dimensions: cultivating strong ties with Europe and maintaining peaceful relations with Middle Eastern nations. Although Türkiye is not a member of the EU, the union remains its primary trading partner. The unstable conditions in the Middle East have prompted the EU to collaborate closely with Türkiye In recent years. This presentation aims to analyze Türkiye’s Role as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East. Türkiye’s Role as a Link Between Europe and the Middle East Türkiye’s geostrategic location, combined with its historical and cultural ties to both Europe and the Middle East, positions the Country as a conduit between the East and the West. Straddling both regions, Türkiye is influenced by—and in turn influences—the developments occurring in Europe and the Middle East. Its long-standing foreign policy has two key dimensions: cultivating strong ties with Europe and maintaining peaceful relations with Middle Eastern nations. Although Türkiye is not a member of the EU, the union remains its primary trading partner. The unstable conditions in the Middle East have prompted the EU to collaborate closely with Türkiye In recent years. This presentation aims to analyze Türkiye’s Role as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East.
GUEST SPEAKER
Müge Aknur is a Professor of Political Science in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Dokuz Eylül University in İzmir,Türkiye. She received her M.A. in International Relations from George Washington University and her Ph.D. in Political Science from McGill University. Her research interests included democracy, democratization, Democratic consolidation, and the rise of populism. Her Publications include articles and book chapters on EU Democracy promotion, democratic consolidation in Türkiye, Turkish foreign policy, civil-military relations in Türkiye and rise of populist radical right in Europe. She is the editor of Democratic Consolidation in Turkey (Boca Raton, FL: Universal Publishers, 2012) and co-editor (with Ibrahim Saylan) of Rise of Populist Radical Right in Western Europe (inTurkish) (Ankara:Nobel Akademik Yayın, 2021).
MODERATOR
Markus Thiel, Ph.D.
Professor, Politics & International Relations
Director, Miami-Florida Jean Monnet Center of Excellence
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Co-sponsors:
- Department of Politics & International Relations
- European & Eurasian Studies Program
- Mohsin & Fauzia Jaffer Center Mohsin & Fauzia Jaffer Center of Muslim World Studies
- Ruth K. & Shepard Broad Distinguished Lecture Series
- Dorothea Green Lecture Series
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The European Union cannot be held responsible for them.
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