Ruchir SHAH

The Geopolitics of Water and Oil in Turkey

Actuelles de l'Ifri, October 2009

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This paper addresses the background to Turkey’s geopolitical future, with regard to both energy and water resources. It also aims to provide some suggestions as to how Turkey can take greater advantage of its geopolitical potential. Section I of the paper discusses Turkey’s geopolitical potential; Section II details Turkey’s complex and conflicted political relationships with regional nations; Section III examines specific pipeline projects held back by political conflicts; Section IV conclusively analyzes the situation and offers policy suggestions for Turkey.