Neo-Ottomanism as a Foreign Policy Tradition of Modern Turkey: an Analysis of Russian Views

Abstract

In this paper, the author reveals the ideological conceptualization of neo-Ottomanism as a foreign policy tradition of Turkey from the position of Russian researchers. The subject of the article is the influence of neo-Ottoman foreign policy traditions on the international political development of modern Turkey. From the point of view of methodology, the author uses specific research tools: geopolitical design, a scientific approach within the framework of FPA (Foreign policy analysis), a system-structural approach to the analysis of Ankara's foreign policy used by MGIMO University specialists, as well as a separate methodology for analyzing the strategic culture and foreign policy institutions of modern Turkey. The main conclusions of the study: despite the fact that the views of Russian researchers are divergent in places, nevertheless, they all consider neo-Ottomanism as an unofficial foreign policy doctrine of Turkey to expand the sphere of influence on neighboring territories through "soft power", at the expense of the economy, humanitarian impact and supranational spirit. Ideologically, it is based on various grounds: from neo-Adventurism to Turkish Eurasianism. At the moment, this tradition provides for a more rigid intersection of Russian and Turkish interests in various areas of international policy of states: from the struggle of integrations between the EAEU and the Organization of Turkic States to competition for the status of a successful international mediator in conflict resolution. These conclusions will be relevant as recommendations for correcting current Russia's foreign policy course in the region.