Turkish Foreign Policy in the South Caucasus
in: Turkey in Eurasia: Endeavors and Encounters, Taylor & Francis Ltd, pp.41-54, 2026
- Publication Type: Book Chapter / Chapter Research Book
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.4324/9781003159544-5
- Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Page Numbers: pp.41-54
- Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Within the broader Eurasian region, the South Caucasus emerged as the most promising, yet also challenging and contested, region for Turkey in the early 1990s. This chapter examines Turkey’ s bilateral relations with Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia separately, while also focusing on the impact of historical background and path dependency in shaping bilateral and/or triangular relationships in the region. These include cooperation and conflict, brotherhood and partnership, peace and hostility, and emotions and pragmatism. The main argument of the chapter is that, while existing conflicts have challenged Turkey’ s foreign policy in the South Caucasus, they have also presented a vital opportunity structure for all countries to contribute to peace-building, security, and the representation of economic interests.