Print

Role of Think Tanks in Turkish-Russian Relations: Case of 2015–2016 Crisis

39
Rubric: Politics and Society
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2023-67-4-109-122
EDN: OOYXIG
Saint Petersburg State University, 7-9, Universitetskaya Emb., St. Petersburg, 199034, Russian Federation.
PDF (RUS)

Received 20.07.2022. Revised 21.11.2022. Accepted 30.01.2023.

Abstract. The article analyses the emergence and development of foreign policy think tanks in Russia and Turkey, as well as their role in the political decision-making process. According to the author, the reasons for the appearance of these research centres during the Cold War differ between the two countries. However, in the 1990s in both states, processes such as democratization, strengthening of civil society, especially in Russia, and the emergence of new centres of power in the form of political parties and autonomous business communities, as well as some other factors led to a quantitative increase in the numbers of research organizations. The author stresses that in Russia, most importantly, the state played the decisive role in the development of think tanks, while in Turkey it was the civil society and the business world. It should also be noted that in these two countries, think tanks actively participate in public diplomacy and promotion of the image of their countries abroad. The main conclusions of this study help to determine ways of cooperation between research centres of the two countries. The author argues that the urgence of research on this topic and the attention required from the expert community and decision-makers to the issue are underpinned by the fact that research centres serve as important tools of public diplomacy in peacetime and can play a role of agents of second-track diplomacy in times of crisis.

Keywords: think tanks, foreign policy, foreign policy decision-making process, Turkish foreign policy, Russian foreign policy, Russian-Turkish relations


REFERENCES

1. McGann J., Weaver R. K. Think Tanks and Civic Societies in a Time of Change. McGann J., Weaver R. K., eds. Think Tanks and Civil Societies: Catalysts for Ideas and Action. New Brunswick and London, Transaction Publishers, 2002, ðp. 1-36.

2. Hourn K. The Challenges of Intervention for Cambodian Think Tanks. Stone D., ed. Banking on Knowledge: The Genesis of the Global Development Network. London, Routledge, 2000, pp. 125-141.

3. Voda K.R. Asian Think Tanks: Position in the World and Influence on Foreign Policy. Comparative Politics Russia, 2018, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 5-13. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24411/2221-3279-2018-00024

4. Gabuev A.T., Chernenko Y.A. According to Countries and Coincidences. Kommersant Vlast, 01.10.2012. (In Russ.) Available at: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2025883 (accessed 23.04.2020).

5. Pallin C.V., Oxenstierna S. Russian Think Tanks and Soft Power. Swedish Defence Research Agency. August, 2017. Available at: https://www.foi.se/rest-api/report/FOI-R--4451--SE (accessed 25.01.2023).

6. Barbashin A., Graef A. Thinking Foreign Policy in Russia: Think Tanks and Grand Narratives. Atlantic Council*, 12.11.2019. Available at: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/thinking-foreign-policy-in-russia-think-tanks-and-grand-narratives/ (accessed 25.01.2023).

7. Güvenç S. Turkish Foreign Policy and Think Tanks. Mazlum S.C., Doğan E., eds. Civil Society and Foreign Policy: New Issues, New Actors. Istanbul, Bağlam Publications, 2006, pp. 159-180. (In Turk.)

8. Bağcı H., Aydın A. Think Tank Culture in the World and in Turkey. Kanbolat H., Karasar H.A., eds. Strategic Thinking Culture and Strategic Research Centers in Turkey: Turkish Think Tanks from the Beginning to the Present. Nobel academic publishing, Istanbul, 2009, pp. 57-125. (In Turk.)

9. Outzen R., Schwing R. Supporting Democracy in Erdogan’s Turkey: The Role of Think Tanks. Strategic forum no. 292. National Defense University Press, 2016.

10. Bedir U. Public Diplomacy Functions of Think Tanks in the Context of Foreign Policy in Turkey. Galatasaray University Communication Journal, 2021, no. 6, pp. 7-35. (In Turk.)

11. Chernyshev N.I. The Influence of the Institutional Mechanism for Policy-Making in Russia on the Formation of the Foreign Policy Course in Relations with the European Union. Bulletin of International Organizations: Education, Science, New Economy, 2014, no. 9 (3), pp. 20-30. (In Russ.)

12. Averkov V.V. Foreign Policy Decision Making in Russia. International Trends, 2012, no. 10 (2), pp. 110-123. (In Russ.)

13. Neset S., Strand A. Turkish Foreign Policy: Structures and Decision-Making Processes. CMI Report. Chr. Michelsen Institute, 2019, no. 3. Available at: https://www.cmi.no/publications/6854-turkish-foreign-policy-structures-and-decision-making-processes (accessed 28.01.2023).

14. Taşçı T.A. Turkey-Russia Relations and High-Level Cooperation Council (UDİK). KARE, 2019, no. 8, pp. 81-128. (In Turk.)

15. Özdal H. Turkey’s Russian Policy and Turkish-Russian Relations. Panorama Portal, 19.10.2022. (In Turk.) Available at: https://www.uikpanorama.com/blog/2022/10/19/ho1/# (accessed 15.11.2022).

16. Kozin V. Turkey: Killer from behind the Corner. RISS, 30.11.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://riss.ru/news/smi/turtsiya-ubiytsa-iz-za-ugla/ (accessed 15.11.2022).

17. Svistunova I. Russia and Turkey: Cold War 2.0? RISS, 07.12.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://riss.ru/analitica/rossiya-i-turtsiya-kholodnaya-voyna-20/ (accessed 15.11.2022).

18. Monkov I. NATO–Turkey–Russia. Erdogan’s Dangerous Gambit. RISS, 10.12.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://riss.ru/analitica/nato--turtsiya--rossiya-opasnyy-gambit-erdogana/ (accessed 15.11.2022).

19. Karyakin V. Russia–Turkey: Phantom Pains of the Empires. RISS, 03.12.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://riss.ru/analitica/rossiya--turtsiya-fantomnyye-boli-imperiy/ (accessed 15.11.2022).

20. Svistunova I. Russia and Turkey: A New Era? RISS, 11.08.2016. (In Russ.) Available at: https://riss.ru/analitica/rossiya-i-turtsiya-novaya-era/ (accessed 15.11.2022).

21. Bubnova N.I. Think Tanks as an Actor in Modern Politics. Comparative Politics Russia, 2017, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 8-19. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.18611/2221-3279-2017-8-3-8-19

22. Stanovaya T. Putin’s Syrian War: The Growing Weight of the Geopolitical Burden. Carnegie Moscow Center, 11.12.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://carnegiemoscow.org/commentary/62248 (accessed 10.11.2022).

23. Shlykov P.V. “Stab in the back”: What to Expect from Turkey after the Downed Su-24. Carnegie Moscow Center, 25.11.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://carnegiemoscow.org/commentary/62087 (accessed 10.11.2022).

24. Trenin D.V. Russia in the Middle East: Tasks, Priorities, Political Incentives. Carnegie Moscow Center, 21.04.2016. (In Russ.) Available at: https://carnegiemoscow.org/2016/04/21/ru-pub-63388 (accessed 10.11.2022).

25. Baunov A.G. For Turkey, Russian Activity in Syria is like Nuland’s Visit to Maidan. Carnegie Moscow Center, 28.07.2016. (In Russ.) Available at: https://carnegieendowment.org/2016/07/28/ru-pub-64196 (accessed 10.11.2022).

26. Shlykov P. Meeting between Erdogan and Putin: Why No Breakthrough in Relations with Turkey Can Be Expected. Carnegie Moscow Center, 11.08.2016. (In Russ.) Available at: https://carnegiemoscow.org/commentary/64307 (accessed 10.11.2022).

27. Baunov A.G. What Made Erdogan Apologize for the Jet Incident? Carnegie Moscow Center, 27.06.2016. (In Russ.) Available at: https://carnegie.ru/2016/06/27/ru-pub-63938 (accessed 10.11.2022).

28. Medvetz T. Murky Power: “Think Tanks” as Boundary Organizations. Courpasson D., Golsorkhi D., Sallaz J.J., eds. Rethinking Power in Organizations, Institutions, and Markets. Bingley: Emerald, UK, 2012, pp. 113-133.

29. Saetov I. From the Downed Plane to the Greater Middle East: Versions of What Happened in Turkey. RIAC, 25.11.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://russiancouncil.ru/analytics-and-comments/analytics/ot-sbitogo-samoleta-k-bolshomu-blizhnemu-vostoku-versii-proi/?sphrase_id=94221272 (accessed 10.11.2022).

30. Naumkin V.V. Camels and Tanks. RIAC, 01.12.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://russiancouncil.ru/analytics-and-comments/comments/verblyudy-i-tanki/ (accessed 10.11.2022).

31. Lukyanov F.A. Hunting for Black Swans. RIAC, 03.12.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://russiancouncil.ru/analytics-and-comments/comments/okhota-na-chernykh-lebedey/?sphrase_id=94221342 (accessed 10.11.2022).

32. Barmin Y. After the Attack on Su‑24, Russia Is Changing the Rules of the Game in Syria. RIAC, 04.12.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://russiancouncil.ru/analytics-and-comments/analytics/posle-ataki-na-su-24-rossiya-menyaet-pravila-igry-v-sirii/ (accessed 10.11.2022).

33. Akhmetov T. Ankara Chose a Bad Time to Ingratiate Itself with Moscow. RIAC, 18.06.2016. (In Russ.) Available at: https://russiancouncil.ru/blogs/turkey/31146/ (accessed 10.10.2022).

34. Lukyanov F. Russia and Turkey Resume Their Holiday Romance. RIAC, 30.06.2016. (In Russ.) Available at: https://russiancouncil.ru/analytics-and-comments/comments/rossiya-i-turtsiya-vozobnovili-kurortnyy-roman/ (accessed 10.10.2022).

35. Lukyanov F. Here and Now Policy. RIAC, 28.07.2016. (In Russ.) Available at: https://russiancouncil.ru/analytics-and-comments/comments/politika-zdes-i-seychas/ (accessed 10.10.2022).

36. Khlebnikov A. Reconciliation of Russia and Turkey. Why No Surprises. RIAC, 11.08.2016. (In Russ.) Available at: https://russiancouncil.ru/analytics-and-comments/analytics/primirenie-rossii-i-turtsii-pochemu-oboshlos-bez-syurprizov/ (accessed 10.10.2022).

37. İmanbeyli V. “Airplane Crisis” and Turkey-Russia Relations. SETA Perspektiv, issue 119, December 2015. (In Turk.) Available at: https://file.setav.org/Files/Pdf/20151231165033_ucak-krizi-ve-turkiye-rusya-iliskileri-pdf.pdf (accessed 10.10.2022).

38. Yalçın H.B. The Jet Crisis and Its Aftermath. SETA, 27.11.2015. (In Turk.) Available at: https://www.setav.org/ucak-krizi-ve-sonrasi/ (accessed 10.10.2022).

39. İnat K. The Rationality of Turkey-Russia Relations. SETA, 14.08.2016. (In Turk.) Available at: https://www.setav.org/turkiye-rusya-iliskilerinin-rasyonalitesi/ (accessed 10.10.2022).

40. Yalçın H.B. The Step of Rapprochement with Russia. Kriter, July 2016, issue 3. (In Turk.) Available at: https://kriterdergi.com/dis-politika/rusya-ile-yakinlasma-adimi (accessed 10.10.2022).

41. Başıhoş S., Taşöz A., İtez C. How to Look at Possible Effects of the Crisis with Russia on the Economy? TEPAV, December 2015, no. 201538. (In Turk.) Available at: https://www.tepav.org.tr/upload/files/1451058729-9.Rusya_ile_Yasanan_Krizin_Ekonomiye_Olasi_Etkilerine_Nasil_Bakilabilir.pdf (accessed 10.10.2022).

42. Aytaç A. How Important is Russian Natural Gas for Turkey? TEPAV, November 2015, no. 201534. (In Turk.) Available at: https://www.tepav.org.tr/upload/files/haber/14486363765.Rus_Dogalgazi_Turkiye_Icin_Ne_Kadar_Onemli.pdf (accessed 10.10.2022).


SOURCES

1. International Studies in Russia. 1000 Experts, 100 Organizations. Handbook. RIAC, 2016. (In Russ.) Available at: https://russiancouncil.ru/library/library_rsmd/spravochnik-mezhdunarodnye-issledovaniya-v-rossii-1000-ekspertov-i-100-organizatsiy/ (accessed 23.04.2020).

2. Factories of Unclaimed Thought. Nezavisimaya gazeta, 18.01.2007. (In Russ.) Available at: http://www.ng.ru/ideas/2007-01-18/9_fabriki.html (accessed 23.04.2020).

3. The Kremlin Hosted a Meeting of President Vladimir Putin with the Former and Current Heads of RISS. Channel 1, 31.01.2017. (In Russ.) Available at: https://www.1tv.ru/news/2017-01-31/318905-v_kremle_proshla_vstrecha_prezidenta_vladimira_putina_s_byvshim_i_nyneshnim_rukovoditelyami_risi (accessed 23.04.2020).

4. Journalists Found Out Who Covers the Smuggling of Oil from ISIS to Turkey. RISS, 03.12.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://www.riss.ru/news/smi/zhurnalisty-uznali-kto-kryshuyet-kontrabandu-nefti-iz-igil-v-turtsiyu/?sphrase_id=6355 (accessed 15.11.2022).

5. The Non-Love-Triangle of Ukraine–ISIS–Turkey as a Trap for Russia. RISS, 09.12.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://www.riss.ru/news/smi/nelyubovnyy-treugolnik-ukraina--daish--turtsiya-kak-lovushka-dlya-rossii/?sphrase_id=6356 (accessed 15.11.2022).

6. Turkey Is Trying to Play the Card of Syrian Turkmens. RISS, 27.11.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://www.riss.ru/news/smi/turtsiya-pytayetsya-razygrat-kartu-siriyskikh-turkmenov/?sphrase_id=6357 (accessed 15.11.2022).

7. Guile Is Turkey’s Eternal Companion. RISS, 10.12.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: https://www.riss.ru/news/smi/kovarstvo---vechnyy-sputnik-turtsii/?sphrase_id=6358 (accessed 15.11.2022).

8. Vladimir Putin’s Big Press Conference. The Kremlin, 17.12.2015. (In Russ.) Available at: http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/50971 (accessed 10.11.2022).

9. The Normalization Process of Turkey-Russia Relations Is an Effort to Get Out of the Chaos Environment. SETA, 01.07.2016. (In Turk.) Available at: https://www.setav.org/turkiye-rusya-iliskilerinin-normallesmesi-sureci-kaos-ortamindan-cikis-cabasidir/ (accessed 10.10.2022).

10. Does FETO Have a Role in the Deterioration of Turkish-Russian Relations? SETA, 11.08.2016. (In Turk.) Available at: https://www.setav.org/turkiye-rusya-iliskilerinin-bozulmasinda-fetonun-parmagi-var-mi/ (accessed 10.10.2022).

* Included in the list of organizations whose activities are undesirable in Russia.


For citation:
Cagri A. Role of Think Tanks in Turkish-Russian Relations: Case of 2015–2016 Crisis. World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2023, vol. 67, no. 4, pp. 109-122. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2023-67-4-109-122 EDN: OOYXIG

Contents World Eñonomy and International Relations. 2023, vol. 67, no. 4

Comments (0)

Show

No comments

Add comment







Indexed

 

 

 

 

Dear authors! Please note that in the VAK List of peer-reviewed scientific journals, in which the main scientific results of dissertations for the degree of candidate and doctor of sciences should be published for the “MEMO Journal” the following specialties are recorded:
economic sciences:
5.2.5. World Economy.
5.2.1. Economic Theory
5.2.3. Regional and Branch Economics
political sciences:
5.5.4. International Relations
5.5.1. History and Theory of Politics
5.5.2. Political Institutions, Processes, Technologies

 

Current Issue
2024, vol. 68, No. 11
Topical Themes of the Issue:
  • U.S. Protectionism Against China’s Mercantilism  
  • U.S. Military Cooperation with Its Allies in Northeast Asia 
  • Russia Under the Conditions of Global Economy Regionalization
  • Greater Middle East
Announcement

Dear authors of the journal!

Please note that the author's copies of the issues in which your texts are published are kept in the editorial office for no more than one year. After this period expires, the editorial office has the right to dispose of unclaimed copies at its own discretion.

 

Submit an Article
Submit an Article
INVITATION FOR PUBLICATION
The Editorial Board invites authors to write analytical articles on the following topics:
  • changes in the processes of globalization in modern conditions
  • formation of the new world order
  • shifts in civilization at the stage of transition to a digital society

The editors are also interested in publishing synthesis articles / scientific reviews revealing the main trends in the development of certain regions of the world - Latin America, Africa, South Asia, etc.

Scientific and Practical Seminar of IMEMO, RIAC
and the MEMO Journal