“Turkish World” Strategy of Turkey’s Soft Power in Central Asia: Opportunities and Challenges

This research study examines the foreign policy approaches of the modern Republic of Turkey and analyzes the essence of foreign policy concepts developed by the state. The article also investigates the turning points in foreign policy, focusing on the shift away from solely Western alternatives and the movement towards Eastern orientations. Furthermore, the paper explores the methods of utilizing “soft power” components in Turkey’s foreign policy and discusses its institutional mechanisms. It is well-known that the Republic of Turkey, beginning in the 1990s, initiated an active movement to establish itself as a central state, which has led to its formation as a true regional power today. Currently, the Republic’s progression from a regional power towards a global power is reflected in the statements of government leaders and politicians. In particular, this is evident in the declarations of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, such as “The world is bigger than five”, “It is possible to build a fair world” and “If theres an opportunity to join the SCO, why should we say no”.