Wed Oct 23 13:40:00 UTC 2024: – **Historical Context**: Turkey has allied with the US since the 1940s, becoming a NATO member to counter Soviet threats during the Cold War.
– **Erdogan’s Shift**: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who took power in 2003, has repositioned Turkey as a more independent actor, seeking new alliances that sometimes conflict with its traditional Western relationships.
– **New Alliances**: Turkey is cultivating relationships with US adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran, driven by a growing distrust of Western powers.
– **BRICS Membership Request**: Frustrated by stalled EU membership efforts, Turkey has formally sought to join the BRICS group of emerging-market nations.
– **Strategic Goals**: The aim of joining BRICS is to enhance Turkey’s global influence and strengthen economic partnerships, particularly with Russia and China, as Turkey perceives a shift in the geopolitical landscape towards emerging economies.