Author

İsmail Polat

admin · EUReflect

Ph. D. in International Relations

Covers: Energy · Security · Nationalism

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85 stories · page 3 of 3

  • politics

    EU Report: Türkiye Aligns Just 4% with Russia Sanctions

    This paper analyses Türkiye’s engagement with the European Union’s Common Foreign, Security and Defence Policy (CFSP/CSDP) in 2025. According to the European Commission’s annual report, Türkiye’s alignment rate with the EU’s restrictive measures and statements on Russia dropped to only 4%, the lowest in recent years. This figure symbolises Türkiye’s strategic transformation from an integration-oriented candidate to a regional power seeking autonomy within a multipolar world order. While Ankara continues to contribute operationally to EU-led missions, it maintains selective alignment—balancing between Western expectations, economic interdependence with Russia, and regional influence. The study argues that Türkiye’s limited alignment reflects not isolationism but a pragmatic form of strategic autonomy that positions the country as a balancing actor—indispensable for European security but politically detached from the EU’s normative core.

  • politics

    Following the Path of Islam Karimov

    Islam Karimov (1938–2016), the first President of independent Uzbekistan, was the key architect of the country’s post-Soviet nation-building project. His leadership combined political independence with the creation of a national ideology that he viewed as essential for state survival and legitimacy. Karimov redefined Uzbekistan’s identity by reviving historical memory, celebrating figures like Amir Timur and Alisher Navoi, and replacing Soviet symbols with new national emblems. He balanced religion as a source of unity and morality while curbing extremism and implemented language reforms to strengthen national consciousness while preserving diversity. His model, based on ideology, history, religion, and language, remains a blueprint for achieving stability and unity in multi-ethnic, transitional states.

  • defense

    Uzbekistan’s 5G Fighter Jet Deal with China

    Uzbekistan’s potential purchase of Chinese JF-17 Block 3 jets could shift the power balance in Central Asia, reducing Russia’s influence and boosting China’s role. The deal offers technology transfer, pilot training, and cost-effective modernization, making Uzbekistan the first in the region to operate fifth-generation fighters.

  • defense

    Defense Diplomacy Drives U.S.–Vietnam Strategic Cooperation

    U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to Hanoi marked a new phase in U.S.–Vietnam defense diplomacy, emphasizing post-war reconciliation and strategic deterrence. Both nations discussed arms sales, war legacy remediation, and security cooperation, aligning their partnership with broader Indo-Pacific stability goals. The meetings highlighted Vietnam’s pragmatic approach—strengthening defense capacity while maintaining strategic autonomy—and Washington’s goal of enhancing collective deterrence in the South China Sea against regional coercion.

  • politics

    Energy Empires: The Companies That Rule Global Power

    The 21st century has transformed energy from a mere economic commodity into a strategic instrument of global power. This article explores how five energy corporations—Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, and PetroChina—function as hybrid entities operating at the intersection of economics, politics, and diplomacy. Using a historical-political lens, it argues that these firms are no longer corporate actors but geopolitical institutions that influence state policies, determine market stability, and shape international relations. The research highlights how national energy sovereignty, state capitalism, and market-driven geopolitics merge within these entities, producing a new form of “energy empire” where corporate decisions yield geopolitical consequences. Ultimately, the study redefines energy not as fuel but as power itself.

  • energy

    EU Ban Pushes Russian Gas Toward China

    Following the European Union’s 2027 ban on Russian liquefied natural gas, Moscow plans to redirect its LNG exports toward Asian markets, primarily China. While this shift helps Russia preserve short-term revenue, it deepens its structural dependence on Beijing’s import infrastructure and financing network. Experts warn that China’s growing control over logistics and pricing could transform Russia from an energy superpower into a junior partner within the Sino-Russian energy axis, reshaping the geopolitical balance of global gas markets.

  • energy

    U. S. Encircles China Through Energy

    The United States has signaled its readiness to expand oil and natural gas exports to China, provided Beijing reduces its reliance on Russian supplies. Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized that there is “ample room for mutually beneficial deals” between the world’s largest energy exporter and the world’s biggest importer. The statement follows President Donald Trump’s Asia tour, during which he reached preliminary energy agreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Analysts view Washington’s move as part of a broader energy diplomacy and containment strategy, designed to limit Russia’s market influence while strengthening America’s economic foothold in Asia. By leveraging energy exports as a geopolitical tool, the U.S. aims to reshape global supply chains and redefine its relationship with China within the framework of energy security and strategic competition.

  • energy

    Why Japan Defies U.S. Call to Ban Russian LNG

    Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi refused U.S. demands to halt Russian LNG imports, citing Japan’s heavy energy dependence and security needs. With 9% of its gas coming from Russia’s Sakhalin-2 project, Tokyo warned that cutting supplies would raise prices and hurt stability. The decision signals Japan’s drive for energy autonomy amid shifting global energy and geopolitical dynamics.

  • energy

    Türkiye’s Energy Security and LNG

    Türkiye has significantly bolstered its energy security and supply diversification through two major long-term Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) agreements with international partners: Mercuria (US) and Woodside (Australia).

  • technology

    Qatar’s Digitalization Vision 2030

    Qatar is undertaking a major national transformation, led by the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030), to become a global hub for technology, entrepreneurship, and smart living.

  • energy

    EU Sets Energy Security for 2026

    The European Union has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to energy security and independence, as outlined in the European Commission’s Work Programme for 2026, entitled “Europe’s Independence Moment.” The document underscores that energy will remain a central pillar of the EU’s policy agenda next year, driving competitiveness, growth, and economic resilience across the continent.

  • energy

    Qatar Deepens Energy Ties in Europe

    Qatar strengthens its strategic partnership with the UK through a new LNG agreement, reinforcing Europe’s energy security and deepening bilateral ties.

  • general

    Qatar Expands Its Soft Power in Africa

    Qatar is deepening its engagement in Africa, advancing cooperation with Nigeria in culture, tourism, and the creative industries. This new partnership is part of Doha's "soft power" strategy, aiming to foster mutual understanding and economic diversification between the Gulf and Africa.

  • economy

    Fueling Stability: South Caucasus Gas and the Future of Energy Security in the Levant

    On August 2, Azerbaijan began natural gas exports to Syria via Türkiye, marking a new phase in regional energy cooperation. The project, led by SOCAR and supported by both governments, supplies 6 million cubic meters per day of gas to power Syria’s reconstruction and electricity generation. Azerbaijani Minister Mikayil Jabbarov and Syrian Minister Mohammed al-Bashir hailed the initiative as both an economic and humanitarian partnership, symbolizing solidarity and regional unity. With Türkiye’s logistical support, the project establishes a new energy corridor linking the South Caucasus and the Middle East, reinforcing Azerbaijan’s role as a global energy hub and a symbol of post-conflict recovery for Syria.

  • general

    Uzbekistan – Türkiye Strategic Vision Forum

    The Uzbekistan–Türkiye Strategic Vision Forum 2025 reaffirmed the two nations’ shared commitment to shaping a new Eurasian partnership grounded in education, technology, and cultural solidarity. Bringing together diplomats, scholars, and policymakers, the forum emphasized academic diplomacy, digital transformation, and security cooperation under the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) framework. Key discussions included establishing joint innovation centers, strengthening Trans-Caspian connectivity, and building knowledge networks among Turkic universities. The Forum concluded with a long-term roadmap focusing on academic exchange, AI-driven innovation, and cultural diplomacy, defining Uzbekistan and Türkiye as co-architects of the Turkic Century and pivotal mediators in a fragmented world order.

  • energy

    LNG Politics: America’s Quiet Empire

    According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), North America’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity is set to more than double by 2029, positioning the region—especially the United States—as the dominant force in global gas markets. With an additional 13.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of capacity planned, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will collectively transform North America into a central global energy hub. This expansion will account for over half of global LNG growth, significantly enhancing Washington’s geopolitical leverage. For Europe, this offers greater energy security and diversification but also heightens strategic dependence on U.S. energy exports. Ultimately, LNG has become a key vector of American global power—linking energy, diplomacy, and strategy in a new phase of international energy geopolitics.

  • energy

    Türkiye’s Energy Security Challenges

    Energy security is not only about the continuity of access to resources but also about ensuring a sustainable balance between production and consumption in line with environmental and climate targets. Türkiye, driven by rapid population growth, industrialization, and economic expansion, faces a steadily increasing demand for energy. However, the way in which this demand is met directly shapes both short-term supply security and long-term development and climate policies.

  • politics

    Tokayev and Sacred Turkic Unity

    Tokayev underlined Kazakhstan’s role in advancing Turkology — the discipline that studies the historical, cultural, and linguistic roots of Turkic peoples.

  • conferences events festivals

    Türkiye’s Air Power Strategy: International Integration, the Eurofighter Initiative, and the Primacy of the KAAN Project

    Türkiye's participation in the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) highlighted a multifaceted defense strategy. The country's strong interest in acquiring the Eurofighter Typhoon, evidenced by diplomatic agreements with the UK and Germany's subsequent approval, demonstrates a focus on short-term capability enhancement through international cooperation and technology transfer. Simultaneously, this move is balanced by the critical long-term priority of achieving strategic autonomy via the indigenous fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet project. The overall policy aims to transform Türkiye from a defense consumer into a global producer and strategic driver, necessitating increased R&D investment, support for local firms, and active, non-isolated international engagement.