Abstract

This paper examines Turkey's evolving strategic positioning at the intersection of Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, with a particular focus on its role in the Black Sea region. In the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and escalating tensions in the Middle East, Ankara has pursued a policy of "strategic depth" and "balanced neutrality. By leveraging its control over the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits and its historical ties to Crimea, Turkey seeks to establish itself as an autonomous regional power and energy transit hub. This research analyzes the geoeconomic and security pillars of Turkish strategy, identifying four potential alignment scenarios ranging from pro-Western integration to regional leadership. The study concludes that Turkey's success depends on its ability to reconcile internal economic instability with complex external security objectives in a shifting global order