We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TURKEY RUSSIA CENTRAL ASIA
HEADLINE: Rivalry Looms as Turkey, Russia Turn to Central Asia
TEASER: Turkey's increasing focus on Central Asia threatens Russia's sphere of influence but provides rare common ground between Ankara and Washington
PUBLISHED AT: 11/29/2023 at
BYLINE: Dorian Jones
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Istanbul
VIDEOGRAPHER: Berke Bas DO NOT USE FOR SECURITY REASONS.
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, MAS, djones approved
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Original, Agencies Reuters, AFP
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:06
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: TVR
UPDATE: DO NOT USE BERKE BAS NAME FOR SECURITY REASONS))
((INTRO))
[[Turkey seeks to broaden its economic and diplomatic influence in Central Asia, putting it on a collision course with Russia which wants to do the same. As Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, observers say this growing rivalry could create some common ground between Ankara and Washington.]]
((NARRATOR))
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in November with leaders of Central Asia countries at a summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Erdogan hopes to use Turkey's ethnic ties with the energy-rich region to deepen its economic and diplomatic influence in a part of the world where China and Russia have dominated until now.
[[RADIO VERSION: Cagdas Ungor is a professor of political science at Istanbul’s Marmara University.]]
[[00:28 Please remove zoom logo—this is on camera]]((Cagdas Ungor, Marmara University Political Science Professor (FEMALE IN ENGLISH –on camera)))
“One key advantage Turkey enjoys is soft power, because Russia and China may have other advantages: One, Russia is more important in the security field and hard power, so to speak. And China is a very important economic player, of course, But none of them enjoys the kind of cultural, linguistic ties that Turkey has to the region.”
((NARRATOR))
Erdogan's drive in Central Asia is part of an effort to reduce Turkey's dependence on Europe amid increasingly strained relations with the European Union.
But Russia, hit by growing European sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, is also looking to deepen its influence in Central Asia.
[[RADIO VERSION: ...explains Russia specialist Tatiana Mitrova, a visiting professor at the Paris School of International Affairs.]]
((Tatiana Mitrova, Paris School of International Affairs (FEMALE IN ENGLISH))) ((via Zoom))
“Russia as a whole is facing dramatic changes of all logistics; most of the West-oriented routes are simply closed. Now they are no longer available.”
[[1:30—what does this restriction mean? It can't be viewed in the US?]]((VIDEO SHOT: BIDEN CENTRAL ASIAN LEADERS-AFP NOTE RESTRICTIONS
DO NOT USE BERKE BAS NAME FOR SECURITY REASONS.
Note BIDEN CENTRAL ASIA VIDEO SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
EDITORIAL USE ONLY
UNITED STATES OUT
AUSTRALIA OUT
NO ACCESS FROM CUBA / IRAN / SYRIA / NORTH KOREA / SUDAN / CRIMEA))
((NARRATOR))
The United States is also focusing on Central Asia as it seeks to thwart Moscow’s bid to avoid isolation and to check rising Chinese influence.
Analysts say these goals could provide common ground between Ankara and Washington.
[[RADIO VERSION: Mehmet Ogutcu is an analyst at the London Energy Club, a grouping of government and energy sector leaders.]]
((Mehmet Ogutcu, London Energy Club (MALE IN ENGLISH)))
((via Zoom))
“Biden met Central Asia leaders in New York in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, you remember. The U.S. is trying to work out there, how Central Asia could be somehow cultivated to contain China, to counter Russia, and Turkey there is a good NATO ally which can facilitate this as well.”
((NARRATOR))
Russia sees Central Asia as part of its sphere of influence and observers suggest Turkey’s aspirations will not be welcomed by Moscow. But they say that for now, Putin needs to maintain good ties with Erdogan, given Turkey's role in circumventing sanctions against Russia.
[[RADIO VERSION: Tatiana Mitrova, at the Paris School of International Affairs.]]
((Tatiana Mitrova, Paris School of International Affairs (FEMALE IN ENGLISH))) ((via Zoom))
“It could turn out that Russia will decide to reinstate its leadership and will start to compete with Turkey again...
...I wouldn't completely rule out another round of some sort of confrontation between Russia and Turkey, but not in the next couple of years when Russia is still just adapting to this completely new economic reality.”
((NARRATOR))
With Russia, China, and the United States all stepping up their efforts to project influence in Central Asia, analysts predict the region is set to become a new center of international rivalry, with Ankara seeking to play a pivotal role.
((Dorian Jones, for VOA News, Istanbul))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
