Last political events change all balances in the world. Recently riots of Arab states shared new balances of regional powers after the cold war time. Middle East continues to realize its main role to define the world politics. Especially the region`s last status is an image of struggle against old ruling styles. It can be named as struggle for democracy. But other face shares us different tools of democracy demands. Regional changes started with decrease of Israeli power in Middle East. Israel`s situation was transformed by new necessities of the US and regional states.

Some groups are discussing the Turkish effect on the heartland of the world. Heartland is a name of Mackinder`s `the world theory` which contains Europe, Middle East, Caucasus and Middle Asia a unique territory of the world.

Political scientists discuss the new political approaches of Turkey over the heartland states. Theoretical ideas of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmet Davutoglu follow a way to make Turkey a super power. But new Turkish politics are called as Neo-Ottomanism to spread again old Ottoman heritage. Especially Arab people shared Turkish flags with calling Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a Turkish sultan after the Davos issue.

What Does Turkey Aim At Caucasus?

Recently Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan pointed out the Turkish last approaches about foreign affairs. He declared to not use any tools for solving Armenian problem by Turkey ;

“Turkey-declared policy of zero problems is aimed at finding solutions advantageous to Turks. The Armenian side realizes that Turkey is a large country, a G20 member, we understand it. However, it does not mean Turks should be our tutors. Turkey  is not one who should tell us what to do. If they want to influence certain regional processes they should adopt constructive approach. What do they mean by saying neo-osmanism? People who are familiar with the history perceive it just as descendants of those killed in concentration camps perceive remarks about the purity of the Aryan race. They can tell their people whatever they want. Such statements and claims for leadership, it is unacceptable to us.”

Also after the Wikileaks event, some news agencies alarmed about so-called Neo-Ottomanist approaches of Turkey.

AKP Government reorganized Turkish foreign policy with to use all potential chances. Firstly government declared to create good relations with neighbors. `Maximum cooperation, zero problem` is a slogan of government`s foreign politics. Its strong pace was football diplomacy with Armenia. This step aimed to get close with Yerevan. On the other hand Akhdamar ceremony and to encourage Anatolian cities for normalization process with Armenia are external policies.

Integrated Region

Energy routes was created as Baku Tbilisi Ceyhan and Baku Tbilisi Erzurum projects from Caspian to Europe. Georgia and Azerbaijan had been good partners for Turkey. After that Baku Tbilisi Kars railway project started to realize transit way throughout the region.

All steps share the integration policies of Turkey with regional states. Regionalist approaches create useful conditions to make an integrated region as economical, social, cultural and political. Neo-Ottomanist idea may be called for Turkish governors but regionalist realities continue. But Armenia shouldn’t be afraid of so-called Neo-Ottomanist term if we compare the unintelligible approaches of Serzh Sargsyan to get back Mount Ararat and Eastern Anatolia. Real politics include the respect to territorial integration of all states. Firstly Armenia must give up the mind of unnecessary “occupation” later this state will be participant of regional integration.

Mehmet Fatih ÖZTARSU – Strategic Outlook

http://www.strategicoutlook.org/2011/07/neo-ottomanism-or-sargsyan%E2%80%99s-occupying-mentality/