Türkiye’s neighborhood has been prone to conflicts. In both northern and southern neighboring countries, ethnic and religious conflicts, along with big power rivalries and territorial disputes, have shaped relations throughout decades. In the 2000s, rising tensions in the Black Sea Region increased security concerns among littoral states. Events such as the 2008 Georgia–Russia War (5-Day War), the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, and the 2022 War in Ukraine, as well as the Azerbaijan–Armenia War in 2020, have not only influenced relations between regional states but also impacted the international political environment.
Uprisings in the Arab world, changing leaderships, and increased migration from south to north have altered regional dynamics and profoundly affected the EU’s “normative” role. The Syrian Civil War has had repercussions on the effectiveness of the UNSC. The rivalry between Russia and America has long paralyzed the UNSC, predating the Russian war in Ukraine in 2022.
Big power rivalry has been evident in the Eastern Mediterranean, with cooperation and conflict over the control of energy resources increasing tensions among regional countries such as Türkiye, Greece, Egypt, and Israel.
All these issues, ranging from energy to migration and from territorial disputes to big powers’ rivalries, shape the future of both the Black Sea and the Mediterranean regions, which directly impact the liberal institutional establishment of global politics.
This conference will provide a platform for bringing researchers, experts, and academics together to discuss these concerns. Paper proposals may cover a variety of topics exploring different perspectives and issues related to both the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions, including but not limited to:
- Türkiye’s role in regional affairs
- International Organizations Role
- Regional security challenges
- Migration and humanitarian concerns
- Economic interdependencies
- Terrorism and extremism
- Diplomatic strategies
- Governance and democracy
- Energy politics
- Geopolitical rivalry