Istanbul Policy Review

Front Matter

2023-11-13

Notes on the alternative geopolitics of Solidarity and Cooperation Economy

Vangelis Gkagkelis — 2023-11-13

Scholarly work typically employs the term “geopolitics” to describe a theoretical focus on the behavior, relations, and competitions among states. However, this term is largely state-centered, emphasizing state power and its maximization through national consolidation, and ultimately undermining the interests of human subjects and the planet itself. In this article, we take a critical approach that utilizes the framework of political geography to develop an alternative perspective on collective action, drawing from the world justice movement. Specifically, we argue that the Solidarity and Cooperation Economy (SCE) represents a field that generates alternative geopolitics through the context of solidarity. We examine how the SCE brings together communities that may be geographically distant from one another, thereby expressing a distinctive geopolitical viewpoint. To illustrate this point, we analyze the case of “Syn Allois,” an employee association in Athens, and the “Second Euromediterranean Workers’ Economy Meeting” that was held in Thessaloniki in 2016.

Post-Russo-Ukrainian War: Taiwan More Cautious and Perceptive

Mohamad Zreik — 2023-11-13

The Russo-Ukrainian War, which had erupted in 2014, was further escalated on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine. In order to preserve Russia’s national security and punish the Ukrainian government for the ethnic crimes it committed against the Russian ethnicity in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin personally supervises this concentrated operation. This paper deals with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and links it to the Taiwan issue, which may, but is very unlikely, turn into a second Ukrainian. The study is mainly based on secondary sources since this topic is still recent and there is not much literature yet. The study concluded that the Sino-Taiwanese reality is different geographically, politically and legally from the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, and the paper strongly suggests that we may witness in the coming years the reunification of Taiwan.

Integration and Disintegration in Europe: A Study on Brexit

Mohitha Mohan — 2023-11-13

Regionalism is the creation of political, economic, or social structures loyal to a detailed analysis of a Geographic area with a similar population in terms of ideology and culture. Capitalism and state-to-state diplomacy are fundamentally based on regional integration. The ideas emphasize how interdependent and geographically significant states are. These nations are widely acknowledged as a single commercial bloc and are pursuing more ambitious political and economic goals. To accomplish this, member states' capitalism and intergovernmental systems come together. The European Union (EU) is Europe's attempt to become a regional organization, the most significant effort to establish regionalism in markets in the 20th century. The United Kingdom (UK) will leave the European Union on March 29 2019, leading to a new course in the world. When on June 23 2016, a majority voted in favour of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union (EU), it generated a host of unknowns. Over to the referendum, all are focused on anticipating the impact and implications of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union. This paper will add another piece to Brexit and its emergence. This paper tries to explain regionalism in Europe and European integration, the UK's Withdrawal referendum, and its Exit and also traces the importance of the political parties in Britain. Afterwards, it briefly introduces Britain's historically fractious relationship with the EU. In light of Britain's historical role, the remaining part of this paper goes on to estimate the background and impact of Brexit on the regional organization like European Union, which members and institutions within the organization emerges (the EU 27) will be best able to benefit from the strategic vacuum created the Brexit in the Globalized era.

Example of Syrian Refugees in the Scope of Turkey's Migration Policy and Management

Murat Özay Taşkın — 2023-11-13

The phenomenon of migration is a concept that is often encountered today. The phenomenon of migration has a critical importance especially for many regions and countries that have faced with immigrants and migration flows in various periods. Nowadays, many countries continue to struggle with regular and irregular migration, and many countries host refugees from different regions or countries. At this point, Turkey has been seen as a bridge between the West and the East and has been accepted as a migration country or migration route for refugees. In this context, Turkey draws attention as a country that has been exposed to migration flows from various regions and geographies from the past to the present. Furthermore, especially since 2011, the increase in Syrian refugees in Turkey after the internal conflict and war in Syria and refugees who left their country and migrated to Turkey in recent years, brought along various problems in Turkey. These increasing refugees and refugee flows have required Turkey to make various policies and regulations. This article will focus on the Syrian refugees problem in Turkey and analyze Turkey's migration policies and migration management regarding refugees.

Editorial: Launching Istanbul Policy Review

Zeynep Banu Dalaman — 2023-11-13

Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Istanbul Policy Review (IPR)! We are delighted to present a platform that serves as a dynamic bridge between social science communities across disciplines and continents. Our mission is to facilitate the sharing of valuable information, foster vibrant debates, and engage the widest possible audience. At the heart of the IPR lies a deep commitment to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary work that challenges the status quo. We actively encourage researchers to explore innovative approaches and push the boundaries of current methodologies. Whether your work is applied or theoretical, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of social science research.