Donald Trump\u2019s return to the White House and radical decisions is not just an American story. It\u2019s the possible unraveling of the post-war international order\u2014accelerated by the very nation that once built and upheld it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is not about mending a broken system. Trumpism is a project to tear it down. Whether this comes through an official withdrawal from NATO, the erosion of the World Trade Organization, or the sidelining of international law, the consequences are global. A second Trump presidency has accelerated fragmentation, undermined rules-based cooperation, and empowered transactional geopolitics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this unfolding new (dis)order, T\u00fcrkiye cannot afford to be a bystander. Neither can Europe, the US, nor other major actors afford to treat T\u00fcrkiye as a secondary player in this new era. T\u00fcrkiye is not merely a bridge between East and West\u2014it is potentially the architect of a new regional balance. But to play that role, it must think and act like a chess grandmaster\u2014not like a backgammon player hoping for lucky dice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following questions\u2014and their strategic implications\u2014must be urgently addressed in Ankara, Brussels, Washington, and beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Who will lead\u2014or even manage\u2014the world in a post-American order? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the US abdicates its global leadership role, and international institutions falter, who will rise to fill the gap? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world\u2019s geopolitical centre of gravity is shifting. China offers infrastructure, the EU offers regulation, and the Global South demands voice. T\u00fcrkiye must ask: will it align with a power bloc, act as a swing power, or help build a new coalition of middle powers? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. What happens to T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s security architecture if NATO crumbles? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can T\u00fcrkiye defend its interests without the NATO umbrella\u2014and should it trust emerging European security concepts? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If Trump weakens or withdraws from NATO, T\u00fcrkiye must be ready to pivot. Can it develop credible deterrence? Will European-led security frameworks accommodate T\u00fcrkiye\u2014or marginalize it further? What partnerships (e.g. UK, Italy, Poland, Gulf States, Israel) can complement its strategic autonomy? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. What replaces international law when it no longer restrains or protects? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If international law is devalued, how will T\u00fcrkiye sustain its maritime claims and territorial interests? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Eastern Mediterranean, Aegean, Black Sea, and Cyprus, T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s claims rely in large measure on international law. If that framework collapses, Ankara must build leverage through power, strategic partnerships, and regional influence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Is the US-China divide a geopolitical opportunity\u2014or a dangerous trap? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can T\u00fcrkiye position itself as a resilient corridor between West and East, or will it be squeezed into irrelevance? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As global supply chains realign, T\u00fcrkiye could emerge as a hub\u2014linking Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East. But it must move quickly. The choice is between being a corridor of value or a buffer zone at the mercy of rival empires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Where does T\u00fcrkiye stand in the climate crisis as the US retreats? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can T\u00fcrkiye lead a regional green transformation\u2014or will it fall behind the curve? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Trump pulling the US out of global climate commitments again, T\u00fcrkiye must ask: is its Green Deal alignment with the EU merely transactional\u2014or a real pivot to sustainability? Is it ready to innovate in clean energy, carbon markets, and green infrastructure? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. If America is no longer a reliable ally, where should T\u00fcrkiye invest its strategic capital? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should it focus on defense autonomy, trade diversification, or technology sovereignty? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
T\u00fcrkiye must identify its real priorities\u2014and partners. From the Eastern Med to the Gulf, from Central Asia to the Balkans, it can no longer rely on inconsistent Western support. Should it continue deepening ties with Turkic states, Gulf partners, or non-Western institutions like the SCO and BRICS? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Can T\u00fcrkiye emerge as a regional stabilizer amid a collapsing Middle East order? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that Assad collapsed and Iran becomes the next target, what role will T\u00fcrkiye play? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ankara must weigh a potential strategic corridor from Nakhchivan through northern Iran to Central Asia, enabled by its Turkic kin and by recalibrated partnerships. Will it seize this opportunity or be distracted by internal fragilities? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. What is T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s game plan for the future of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without legal frameworks or strong Western support, how can T\u00fcrkiye guarantee its strategic presence in Cyprus? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ankara must not merely defend\u2014but define\u2014the TRNC\u2019s future. This involves proactive diplomacy, economic development, and new security guarantees, potentially involving Israel, the UK, and Gulf states. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Call to the West: Treat T\u00fcrkiye as a Player, Not a Pawn <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For too long, Western capitals have treated T\u00fcrkiye as either a troublemaker to manage or a transactional partner to exploit. That era must end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the US and EU want T\u00fcrkiye to help stabilize the Middle East, support Ukraine, counterbalance Russia, and curb Chinese influence, they must engage Ankara with respect and strategic depth. T\u00fcrkiye is not just a gatekeeper for refugees or a customer for weapons. It is a potential game maker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A T\u00fcrkiye that is empowered\u2014economically, technologically, diplomatically\u2014can be the West\u2019s strongest asset in a fractured world. A T\u00fcrkiye that is isolated or mistrusted will act accordingly\u2014and could become the West\u2019s greatest missed opportunity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chessboard Awaits <\/p>\n\n\n\n
T\u00fcrkiye now stands at a crossroads. The global order is not being transformed\u2014it is being dismantled. The pieces are in motion. The old rules no longer apply. This is not the time for improvisation or nostalgia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s leaders must think several moves ahead. The next decade will define not only T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s regional role but its place in a reordered world. Ankara must not wait for the world to define its role\u2014it must write its own playbook and make sure its political and economic fragility at home will be rectified sooner than later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will T\u00fcrkiye be a bridge, a buffer, or a builder of a new order? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The choice is Ankara\u2019s to make\u2014and the West\u2019s to recognize\u202fand\u202fsupport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump 2.0 and the Collapse of the Global Order: T\u00fcrkiye to Play Chess, Not Backgammon<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n By Mehmet \u00d6\u011f\u00fct\u00e7\u00fc <\/p>\n\n\n\n Donald Trump\u2019s return to the White House and radical decisions is not just an American story. It\u2019s the possible unraveling of the post-war international order\u2014accelerated by the very nation that once built and upheld it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is not about mending a broken system. Trumpism is a project to tear it down. Whether this comes through an official withdrawal from NATO, the erosion of the World Trade Organization, or the sidelining of international law, the consequences are global. A second Trump presidency has accelerated fragmentation, undermined rules-based cooperation, and empowered transactional geopolitics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In this unfolding new (dis)order, T\u00fcrkiye cannot afford to be a bystander. Neither can Europe, the US, nor other major actors afford to treat T\u00fcrkiye as a secondary player in this new era. T\u00fcrkiye is not merely a bridge between East and West\u2014it is potentially the architect of a new regional balance. But to play that role, it must think and act like a chess grandmaster\u2014not like a backgammon player hoping for lucky dice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The following questions\u2014and their strategic implications\u2014must be urgently addressed in Ankara, Brussels, Washington, and beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Who will lead\u2014or even manage\u2014the world in a post-American order? <\/p>\n\n\n\n If the US abdicates its global leadership role, and international institutions falter, who will rise to fill the gap? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The world\u2019s geopolitical centre of gravity is shifting. China offers infrastructure, the EU offers regulation, and the Global South demands voice. T\u00fcrkiye must ask: will it align with a power bloc, act as a swing power, or help build a new coalition of middle powers? <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. What happens to T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s security architecture if NATO crumbles? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Can T\u00fcrkiye defend its interests without the NATO umbrella\u2014and should it trust emerging European security concepts? <\/p>\n\n\n\n If Trump weakens or withdraws from NATO, T\u00fcrkiye must be ready to pivot. Can it develop credible deterrence? Will European-led security frameworks accommodate T\u00fcrkiye\u2014or marginalize it further? What partnerships (e.g. UK, Italy, Poland, Gulf States, Israel) can complement its strategic autonomy? <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. What replaces international law when it no longer restrains or protects? <\/p>\n\n\n\n If international law is devalued, how will T\u00fcrkiye sustain its maritime claims and territorial interests? <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Eastern Mediterranean, Aegean, Black Sea, and Cyprus, T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s claims rely in large measure on international law. If that framework collapses, Ankara must build leverage through power, strategic partnerships, and regional influence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Is the US-China divide a geopolitical opportunity\u2014or a dangerous trap? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Can T\u00fcrkiye position itself as a resilient corridor between West and East, or will it be squeezed into irrelevance? <\/p>\n\n\n\n As global supply chains realign, T\u00fcrkiye could emerge as a hub\u2014linking Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East. But it must move quickly. The choice is between being a corridor of value or a buffer zone at the mercy of rival empires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Where does T\u00fcrkiye stand in the climate crisis as the US retreats? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Can T\u00fcrkiye lead a regional green transformation\u2014or will it fall behind the curve? <\/p>\n\n\n\n With Trump pulling the US out of global climate commitments again, T\u00fcrkiye must ask: is its Green Deal alignment with the EU merely transactional\u2014or a real pivot to sustainability? Is it ready to innovate in clean energy, carbon markets, and green infrastructure? <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. If America is no longer a reliable ally, where should T\u00fcrkiye invest its strategic capital? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Should it focus on defense autonomy, trade diversification, or technology sovereignty? <\/p>\n\n\n\n T\u00fcrkiye must identify its real priorities\u2014and partners. From the Eastern Med to the Gulf, from Central Asia to the Balkans, it can no longer rely on inconsistent Western support. Should it continue deepening ties with Turkic states, Gulf partners, or non-Western institutions like the SCO and BRICS? <\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Can T\u00fcrkiye emerge as a regional stabilizer amid a collapsing Middle East order? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that Assad collapsed and Iran becomes the next target, what role will T\u00fcrkiye play? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ankara must weigh a potential strategic corridor from Nakhchivan through northern Iran to Central Asia, enabled by its Turkic kin and by recalibrated partnerships. Will it seize this opportunity or be distracted by internal fragilities? <\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. What is T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s game plan for the future of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Without legal frameworks or strong Western support, how can T\u00fcrkiye guarantee its strategic presence in Cyprus? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ankara must not merely defend\u2014but define\u2014the TRNC\u2019s future. This involves proactive diplomacy, economic development, and new security guarantees, potentially involving Israel, the UK, and Gulf states. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A Call to the West: Treat T\u00fcrkiye as a Player, Not a Pawn <\/p>\n\n\n\n For too long, Western capitals have treated T\u00fcrkiye as either a troublemaker to manage or a transactional partner to exploit. That era must end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If the US and EU want T\u00fcrkiye to help stabilize the Middle East, support Ukraine, counterbalance Russia, and curb Chinese influence, they must engage Ankara with respect and strategic depth. T\u00fcrkiye is not just a gatekeeper for refugees or a customer for weapons. It is a potential game maker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A T\u00fcrkiye that is empowered\u2014economically, technologically, diplomatically\u2014can be the West\u2019s strongest asset in a fractured world. A T\u00fcrkiye that is isolated or mistrusted will act accordingly\u2014and could become the West\u2019s greatest missed opportunity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chessboard Awaits <\/p>\n\n\n\n T\u00fcrkiye now stands at a crossroads. The global order is not being transformed\u2014it is being dismantled. The pieces are in motion. The old rules no longer apply. This is not the time for improvisation or nostalgia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s leaders must think several moves ahead. The next decade will define not only T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s regional role but its place in a reordered world. Ankara must not wait for the world to define its role\u2014it must write its own playbook and make sure its political and economic fragility at home will be rectified sooner than later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Will T\u00fcrkiye be a bridge, a buffer, or a builder of a new order? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The choice is Ankara\u2019s to make\u2014and the West\u2019s to recognize\u202fand\u202fsupport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Donald Trump\u2019s return to the White House and radical decisions is not just an American story. It\u2019s the possible unraveling of the post-war international order\u2014accelerated by the very nation that once built and upheld it. This is not about mending a broken system. Trumpism is a project to tear it down. Whether this comes through […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":13482,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[486,875,508,499,505],"tags":[868,656,654,915],"class_list":["post-13485","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion","category-the-world-with-trump","category-turkey","category-usa","category-world","tag-donald-trump-2","tag-english","tag-international-law-and-organizations","tag-middle-power-diplomacy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13485","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13485"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13485\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13485"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13485"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}