Turkey’s recent pursuit of BRICS membership reflects President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ambition to shift Turkey’s geopolitical alliances while maintaining its position within NATO. Historically aligned with the West, particularly through its NATO membership since 1952, Turkey has grown frustrated over its stagnant bid to join the European Union. These frustrations have led the country to seek new economic and political partnerships, notably with emerging economies such as China, Russia, and Iran — countries often seen at odds with the West.
Turkey’s formal request to join BRICS highlights its desire to bolster its influence globally, especially within the framework of emerging-market economies. The BRICS group, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, presents itself as an alternative to Western-led institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. For Turkey, joining BRICS is a strategic move to diversify its economic ties and assert its autonomy in an increasingly multipolar world.
Erdoğan’s government has consistently framed this pursuit as a means to pivot away from dependence on Western powers and forge stronger ties with non-Western nations. Turkey’s ties with Russia, for example, have deepened in recent years. This partnership includes Russia supplying a significant portion of Turkey’s natural gas needs, building a $24 billion nuclear power plant on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, and increasing trade between the two nations. Additionally, China has become another key player in Turkey’s strategy, with discussions around nuclear power development and electric vehicle plants becoming central to the relationship.
The timing of Turkey’s outreach to BRICS comes as the global geopolitical landscape is shifting, with many countries disillusioned by Western influence. For Turkey, aligning with BRICS offers economic opportunities and a broader platform in global governance, enabling it to play a balancing act between the West and non-Western powers. Erdoğan’s anti-West rhetoric, driven in part by what he sees as Western interference in Turkish affairs, has fueled Turkey’s exploration of new alliances that include Russia, China, and Iran.
However, analysts argue that despite its courtship of BRICS and non-Western powers, Turkey is unlikely to abandon its NATO membership. Its strategic location and military role within the alliance remain crucial, particularly in the volatile Middle East. While seeking to expand its influence through new partnerships, Turkey continues to benefit from its Western military alliances.
Erdoğan’s bid to join BRICS is as much about Turkey positioning itself in a changing world order as it is about addressing economic needs. With BRICS representing roughly a third of the world’s GDP and nearly half of the global population, Turkey sees an opportunity to expand its role on the international stage. Whether BRICS will admit Turkey remains to be seen, but the move signifies Ankara’s desire to redefine its place in a multipolar world without fully turning its back on its Western allies.
Turkey’s BRICS membership bid illustrates its strategy of balancing old alliances with new opportunities in an evolving global landscape, where emerging powers are gaining more influence in global affairs.
Sources:
“Why Turkey, a NATO Member, Wants to Join BRICS.” BNN Bloomberg, Oct. 21, 2024.
“Russia’s BRICS Summit: What’s on the Agenda and Why Does it Matter?” Al Jazeera, Oct. 22, 2024.
“Why Turkey Is Pursuing BRICS Membership: Ukraine Conflict Adds Pressure.” Kyiv Post, Oct. 21, 2024.
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