Cover Osteuropa 10-12/2018

In Osteuropa 10-12/2018

Twins and competitors
The limitations of the Russian-Turkish alliance

Igor’ Torbakov


Deutsche Fassung

Abstract

At first glance, Russia and Turkey resemble twins. They have an imperial heritage, the nation building process has not yet been completed, and modernisation has occurred through state mobilisation. Their relationship with Europe is also ambivalent. The authoritarian regimes appear to be ideal alliance partners. Yet in reality, this is far from true. Their current joint appearance belies the fact that they are pursuing different interests in their shared regional environment, where they have become competitors due to the ongoing imperialist nature of their strategic culture.

(Osteuropa 10-12/2018, pp. 95–105)