The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters PREVIEW: Realpolitik #5 | The Geopolitics Of Turkey
Jul 21, 2025
Explore Turkey's evolution from the Ottoman Empire to a modern secular state under Ataturk. Discover how its geopolitical ambitions shape influence across Central Asia and the Middle East, especially in the wake of the Arab Spring. Delve into the implications of military actions in Syria and Iraq, and the historical tensions stemming from the Lausanne Treaty, which still affect relationships with Greece. This insightful discussion reveals Turkey's aspirations and strategic significance on the global stage.
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Turkey's Strategic Geography
- Turkey's geographic location links Europe, Asia, the Caucasus, and North Africa, making it strategically vital.
- Anatolia's mountainous terrain provides a natural defensive base for expansionist ambitions.
Fall of the Ottoman Empire
- The Ottoman Empire, once dominant, collapsed after losses in the 18th-19th centuries and WWI.
- By WWI, it had shrunk to parts of Anatolia, the Levant, and some coastal areas.
Ataturk's Modernization and Islam
- Mustafa Kemal Ataturk led Turkey's modernization, trying to secularize the state.
- Attempts to eradicate Islam failed outside urban areas, where the public remained Islamic.
