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| Open Access | TÜRKIYE’S CULTURAL DIPLOMACY AND SOFT POWER STRATEGY IN THE REGION OF CENTRAL ASIA
Najiyeva Madina , Master's student, Department of International Relations and Contemporary Political Processes, UWEDAbstract
This article examines Türkiye’s cultural diplomacy and soft power strategy in the region of Central Asia, focusing on how Ankara utilizes historical, linguistic, and cultural affinities to strengthen its regional influence. Building on Joseph Nye’s concept of soft power, the study explores the instruments through which Türkiye projects its image and fosters cooperation—such as the Yunus Emre Institute, Türkiye Scholarships, TİKA, and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). It analyzes Türkiye’s efforts to promote Turkic solidarity and construct a shared identity while balancing political, economic, and strategic interests amid the presence of other powers such as Russia and China. The article argues that Türkiye’s engagement in Central Asia represents not merely cultural outreach, but a comprehensive soft power policy aimed at securing long-term influence and partnership in a geopolitically significant region.
Keywords
Türkiye, soft power, cultural diplomacy, Central Asia, Turkic identity, Pan-turkism, Organization of Turkic States, TIKA, regional strategy.
References
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