POLITICS

Turkey's Balancing Act: Between East and West

TurkeySat Nov 15 2025
Turkey is playing a tricky game. It's trying to balance its relationships with both Russia and the West. On one hand, Turkey is reducing its reliance on Russian oil and gas. It's even considering working with American and South Korean companies for a new nuclear power plant instead of a Russian one. Plus, Turkey has ordered some high-tech fighter jets from the UK. Turkish defense companies are also partnering with British and Italian firms to make drones. But it's not just Turkey making these moves. The West is also showing interest in Turkey. With Donald Trump as the US president and Europe facing defense challenges, the West seems to be turning towards Turkey as well. It's like both sides are realizing they need each other right now. This situation shows how fast things can change in global politics. Countries often switch sides based on who's in power and what they need at the time. It's a reminder that alliances aren't always permanent. They can shift and change, just like the winds. Economic factors also play a big role in these decisions. Turkey's choices about oil, gas, and defense deals aren't just about politics. They're also about money and business. This is a good example of how economics and politics are often mixed together in international relations. In the end, this situation is a good lesson in how complex global politics can be. It's not always about one side being good and the other being bad. Sometimes, it's just about countries trying to figure out what's best for them at the moment.

questions

    If the West needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the West, does that mean Turkey gets to set the rules for the next game of geopolitical chess?
    Will Turkey's new Eurofighter jets come with a 'Made in the West' sticker or a 'Made in Turkey but with Western parts' sticker?
    What role does the US play in this realignment, and how might a change in US administration affect these relations?

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