Istanbul Policy Review

Front Matter and Table of Contents

2025-09-16T12:16:15+00:00

Editorial

2025-09-16T05:38:15+00:00

We are pleased to present the third issue of Istanbul Policy Review (IPR), released in July 2025 amid a period of intensifying geopolitical realignments, democratic backsliding, and deepening socio-economic inequalities across regions. This issue brings together critical voices and fresh perspectives that speak to some of the most pressing challenges of our time—ranging from structural violence and state power to national identity and global strategy.

On Exclusion, Manipulation, and Repression: The 2011 English Riots

2025-04-05T11:35:38+00:00

The thrust of this paper is to argue that the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government in power when the 2011 English riots flared up may have manipulated British citizens, with the help of the (right-wing) mass media, into accepting that ‘gangs’ were at the root of their problems. By all appearances, the government instrumentalized these violence collectives, and beyond them the Blacks and the poor, so as to cause terrorized citizens to disregard neoliberal capitalism-generated problems, deep-seated structural problems as it were, at a time when political scandals and the anti-austerity movement were prominently featured in the news. Substantially, I contend that Prime Minister Cameron implemented his Big Society ideology, thereby punishing a section of the community and endangering democracy, seemingly under the pretence of eradicating ‘gangs’ and ‘gang’ culture, when he apparently had no interest whatsoever in destroying what can be simultaneously considered his alibi and fuel for neoliberalism.

Brexit: A Tale of Two Referendums and Their Impact on the UK’s Future

2025-04-05T11:34:44+00:00

This article analyses the two critical referendums that have influenced the political landscape of the United Kingdom: the 2016 Brexit referendum and the 1975 vote about European Economic Community (EEC) membership. The essay examines how each referendum mirrored and shaped popular opinion, political discourse, and policymaking in the UK through a comparative analysis of these two historical events. The paper examines both referendums' socio-economic and political settings, emphasising the long-term consequences for the UK's relationship with Europe and its internal political dynamics. The article contends that grasping these referendums is essential for understanding the present challenges and prospects confronting the UK as it manoeuvres through its post-Brexit future.

Managing Power Asymmetries: A Comparative Analysis of Nepal and Luxembourg in Global Politics Through Small State Theories

2025-04-06T09:24:57+00:00

Small states operate within a global system dominated by larger powers, requiring them to adopt unique strategies to navigate power asymmetries. Small states are often characterized by limited geographic size, population, economic resources, and political influence on the global stage. Despite these constraints, small states have carved out unique roles and strategies to ensure their survival and development in an increasingly complex international system. This study presents a comparative analysis of Nepal and Luxembourg, two small states with distinct geopolitical realities, through the lens of small state theories. While Nepal, a landlocked South Asian state, is positioned between two rising powers, India and China, Luxembourg, a landlocked European state, benefits from institutional integration within the European Union (EU) and NATO. Their contrasting experiences highlight the diversity of small state strategies in global politics. This study also emphasis various theories associated with small states and how each small states adapt in shaping their survival strategies based on historical, economic, and geopolitical factors. By comparing Nepal and Luxembourg, this research contributes to a broader understanding of how small states manage power asymmetries, offering insights into the diverse pathways available for their security, economic prosperity, and diplomatic engagement in global affairs.

From Oil to Tourism: Geopolitical Transformation in Saudi Arabia with Vision 2030

2025-04-05T11:35:05+00:00

This article examines the geopolitical transformation emerging from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a strategic initiative aimed at diversifying the kingdom’s economy and reducing its dependence on oil revenues. Vision 2030 marks a significant pivot toward sectors such as tourism, technology, and sustainable development. The article focuses on two flagship projects—NEOM and the Red Sea Project—as case studies to understand how this shift is reshaping Saudi Arabia’s regional and international positioning. NEOM, with its emphasis on high technology, innovation, and urban sustainability, represents a vision of a post-oil economy rooted in global competitiveness. The Red Sea Project, on the other hand, introduces a model of ecologically responsible luxury tourism designed to attract international visitors and investment. Both projects are analyzed in terms of their economic, environmental, and geopolitical impact. Ultimately, the article argues that tourism-led development is central to Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to redefine its global image and geopolitical influence in the 21st century.

Balancing the Scales: Türkiye's Geopolitical Role Between China and the West

2025-04-05T11:33:58+00:00

Türkiye is a major actor in world geopolitics because of its advantageous position as a bridge connecting Europe and Asia. Its foreign policy strikes a careful balance between deepening its ties to China, especially in commerce and infrastructure through the Belt and Road Initiative, and preserving its historical relationships with the West, including through NATO and economic ties with the European Union. Domestic political factors, security concerns, and economic imperatives all influence this delicate balancing act. China offers economic prospects that put conventional alignments to the test, while Western alliances provide institutional and military stability. However, Türkiye's diplomatic moves are complicated by disputes over regional wars, defence plans, and human rights. Türkiye's public opinion is still fragmented, which reflects changes in global power dynamics. Assessing Türkiye's potential influence on regional and global power dynamics requires an understanding of its changing geopolitical strategy. This study investigates the ways in which Türkiye's foreign policy and the international order are impacted by its strategic location.