Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 18 FEBRUARY 2026

Türkiye's Evolving Regional Role: Navigating Complexity In A Multipolar World

Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Contributor
Steptoe LLP

Steptoe LLP

Steptoe International (UK) LLP has built a strong reputation for providing top-quality regulatory,...

View firm profile
Explore more from Steptoe LLP

As 2026 unfolds, Türkiye has solidified its position at the center of the world's most critical geopolitical shifts.

United StatesGovernment, Public Sector

As 2026 unfolds, Türkiye has solidified its position at the center of the world's most critical geopolitical shifts. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has led Ankara toward a strategy of "calculated flexibility," a doctrine that balances Türkiye's legacy as a NATO member with an increasingly autonomous - and often defiant - approach to regional crises. This positioning allows Türkiye to function as both a Western ally and a vital bridge to rival powers, from Washington and Moscow to Tehran and Damascus.

The Syrian Pivot and the Kurdish Question

The transformation of Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime has fundamentally reshaped Türkiye's regional strategic calculus. The landmark diplomatic breakthrough in January 2026, which saw Kurdish forces agree to integrate into Damascus's central authority, addressed Ankara's most sensitive security concern: the prevention of an autonomous Kurdish entity along its southern border. By dismantling the

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

See more popular content from