Turkeys Naval Activism: Maritime Geopolitics and the Blue Homeland Concept [Hardcover]

This book explores the significance of Turkeys Blue Homeland (Mavi Vatan) naval concept, which defines its maritime rights and interests in the surrounding seas  Aegean Sea, Black Sea, and the Mediterranean. The concept has a powerful socialized definition and a popular appeal across the political spectrum in Turkey with important implications for security in the wider Middle East. The book investigates the impact of geopolitics and domestic-political factors on the concept and uncovers motivations behind its trajectory since 2004 with a particular focus on the last several years, the period when Turkeys naval assertiveness reached its peak following the failed coup attempt in 2016. Based on in-depth interviews with diplomats, naval officers, academics, and researchers in the field, the book takes the reader through a journey on how the Turkish government has reinforced an activist policy since 2016 due to pressures of regional insecurity, domestic coalition logrolling, and nationalist sentiment.

Chapter 1  Introduction.- Chapter 2  Global Maritime Powers and Turkeys Interest in Naval Development.- Chapter 3  The Modern Origins of Turkeys Blue Homeland Policy.- Chapter 4  Turkeys Maritime Crisis and Naval Development.- Chapter 5  Liberalisation and the EU Journey: 2004-2010.- Chapter 6  Identity Projection and Axis Shift towards the Middle East: 2010-2016.- Chapter 7  Re-securitization and the Emergence of Blue Homeland: 2016-2022.- Chapter 8  Conclusion.

Serhat S?ha ?ubuk?uolu is a geopolitical strategist working at the intersection of policymaking, research, and media. He is currently a Senior Fellow in Strategic Studies at TRENDS Research and Advisory in Abu Dhabi, UAE, as well as an advisory board member at Ko? Universitys Maritime Forum in Istanbul, Turkey.