Insight Turkey / Reviews

Batı Dışı Dünya: Hindistan, Güney Afrika ve Türkiye’de Dış Politika Ufku

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:19:00 GMT

Many states seek to play roles that exceed their material capabilities. Therefore, comprehending the complexities of foreign policymaking necessitates an examination that transcends mere economic and military powers, encompassing culture, religion, historical legacy, and self-consciousness as influential factors.

The Politics of Policy Analysis

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:17:00 GMT

The book offers a broader perspective on the policy analysis process and critiques the classical five-step policy analysis method. According to the author, a five-step policy analysis represents pragmatic responses to solve political problems, but he points out that the approach remains far from providing a full understanding of the complexity of policy making

The Rise and Fall of the Eagle: An Assessment of the Liberal World Order

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:15:00 GMT

U.S. hegemony was steadily established over the years through security alliances, international financial institutions, and democratic rhetoric, all favoring the liberal paradigm. The U.S. unipolar moment following the fall of the USSR in 1991 was a boastful period, but the 1990s were a crucial decade.

Changing Security Paradigm in West Asia: Regional and International Responses

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:12:00 GMT

Although discussions on the regional policies of the European Union are addressed in the context of internal dynamics, more concrete policy suggestions could have been presented. In addition, the connections between some chapters could have been established more strongly, thus providing a better overall integrity for the book.

Dış Politikada Türkiye Doktrini

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:09:00 GMT

Debates surrounding the orientation of Turkish foreign policy, particularly discussions on its strategic anchor and claims of an axis shift, remain relevant to both academic and policy circles.

Al-Aqsa Flood as a Turning Point: Historical Roots, Israel’s Response, and the Colonial Question

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:09:00 GMT

These three books bring together the multi-layered causes of the al-Aqsa Flood Operation, the destructive nature of Israel’s response, and the regional and global consequences of the event, offering readers a comprehensive and critical understanding of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The operation went beyond being merely a military attack, dealing a severe blow to Israel’s international legitimacy, reshaping regional power dynamics, and exposing the colonial reality faced by the Palestinian people on the global stage. These works fill gaps in the existing literature and serve as an indispensable reference for anyone seeking to understand the future trajectory of the conflict. They are essential for comprehending the profound and lasting transformations that the al-Aqsa Flood has brought about, not only in the Middle East but across the entire world.

Mapping the Lines in Turkey-U.S. Relations: Making the Vulnerable Partnership

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 18:06:00 GMT

Interestingly, Mapping the Fault Lines in Turkey-U.S. Relations goes beyond its direct focus and resonates with international relations themes at a broader level, particularly within the African context. The emphasis on the power dynamics in the text, characterized by the tensions between foreign actors and regional players, mirrors obstacles encountered by African states navigating post-colonial legacies and contemporary international partnerships

Arming the Sultan: German Arms Trade and Personal Diplomacy in the Ottoman Empire before World War I

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 18:03:00 GMT

The book argues that arms trade agreements in the last century of the Ottoman Empire were products of a complex network of influential figures, including Ottoman pashas, German military advisors, and even the Kaiser, who actively lobbied to shape the outcomes of these negotiations. Unlike other foreign powers, the German government actively intervened to promote its armament companies. Ultimately, these efforts achieved their objectives and a monopoly position for German armament corporations in the Ottoman market.

Data Grab: The New Colonialism of Big Tech and How to Fight Back

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 17:48:00 GMT

The book challenges the dominant mindset that historical colonialism is long gone, instead asserting that today’s data grab is a continuation of the colonial land grab that reorganized the world’s resources centuries ago, exploiting the masses and placing opportunities in the hands of the few. Historical colonialism and data colonialism are two parallel and deeply interconnected phenomena.

Deterrence under Uncertainty: Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Warfare

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 17:42:00 GMT

Once based on the bilateral symmetry of the Cold War, the logic of deterrence now faces layered ambiguity, cognitive manipulation, and pervasive uncertainty as the international system transforms into a multipolar and multi-domain order with overlapping spheres of technological, strategic, and normative contestation. The fundamental tenets of nuclear deterrence are under pressure in accordance with this new reality, in which cyber and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are speeding up, improving the accuracy, and expanding the scope of conflict.

Artificial Intelligence “Arms Dynamics”: The Case of the U.S. and China Rivalry

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 17:35:00 GMT

The book argues that artificial intelligence (AI) is not only redefining the balance of power in the international system but also reshaping the very dynamics of global rivalry. Özdemir asserts that hegemonic competition will no longer be limited to political or economic spheres but will extend deeply into the technological realm, with AI at its cor

Reshaping National Security and the Future of Warfare in the Age of Competitive Artificial Intelligence

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 17:10:00 GMT

National security in the age of competitive AI is evolving into a structure that transcends conventional threat paradigms, encompassing uncertainty, interdependence, and complex multi-actor dynamics. While the integration of AI into military strategy appears inevitable, ignoring its strategic and ethical consequences risks triggering irreversible security crises. One of the most urgent questions in the coming era of international relations, therefore, is how to preserve peace, security, and stability in a world increasingly defined by competitive artificial intelligence.

Common Immunity: Biopolitics in the Age of the Pandemic

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:49:00 GMT

Contrary to some expectations, the book does not investigate the states’ underlying interests during the COVID-19 pandemic, nor does it address conspiracy theories surrounding the outbreak. Instead, the author draws on the history of medicine and science and fundamental principles of philosophy to critically reflect on the emergence of biopolitics as a concept. He takes a retrospective approach to examining its previous definitions and their implications for contemporary policy frameworks.

Leading the Digital Workforce: IT Leadership Peak Performance and Agility

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:41:00 GMT

The role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has substantially improved economies and financial flows and has even cultivated social life. The COVID-19 pandemic has particularly accelerated digitalization, tech-intensive ventures, and automation. Unequivocally, contemporary technologies (including the internet, blockchain, Web 3.0, DAO, and NFTs.) further enhance efficacy in business practices, production, and supply processes and concurrently facilitate the digitalization processes. In the meantime, along with the digitalization trend and digital workforce, the digital transformation of workplaces and the changing nature of workplaces also bring forth new challenges.

A New Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere and Deliberative Politics

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 13:51:00 GMT

The study analyses the new structural transformation of the public sphere and deliberative politics in the digital age.

A Brief Global History of the Left

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 13:24:00 GMT

The main aim of the book is to highlight the historical and ideological diversity within leftist terminology, contribute to understanding this diversity, and analyze in depth the challenges facing contemporary leftist movements.

The Flexible India: Yoga’s Cultural and Political Tensions

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 13:14:00 GMT

The increasing popularity of yoga coincided with India’s efforts to enhance its global economic, political, and cultural recognition. In this way, India, especially under Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule since 2014, took yoga as an important cultural and religious instrument to promote Hindu nationalist ideas, or Hindutva, which believes India is, in its essence, a Hindu nation, and tried to spread this by media and popular culture and link it to the world stage.

BRICS and the Question of Order: Power Shifts, Internal Divisions, and Future Prospects

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:36:00 GMT

Is BRICS a cohesive and robust organization capable of shaping an alternative global order, or does it remain a fragmented and informal grouping constrained by structural challenges to internal unity? This issue lies at the heart of recent scholarly debates and is the central focus of three books reviewed in this article: The Role of BRICS in Large-Scale Armed Conflict: Building a Multi-Polar World Order by Malte Brosig, Russia, BRICS, and the Disruption of Global Order by Rachel S. Salzman, and Future of the BRICS and the Role of Russia and China by Junuguru Srinivas.

Türkiye’nin İstiklali: Milli Teknoloji Hamlesi

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 19:10:00 GMT

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, has caused unprecedented global change, advanced existing technologies and significantly impacted the international system. Countries such as China and South Korea, aiming to lead this change and strengthen their competitive advantage, are increasing their investments, recognizing the importance of technology and innovation on the global stage. They are challenging the technological dominance that has enabled the United States of America to maintain global leadership since the Cold War.

The Shining Star of the 21st Century: Organization of Turkic States

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 19:06:00 GMT

Globalization, multipolar international system and new economic initiatives in Eurasia, such as the Belt and Road Project, alongside the energy crisis between Europe and Russia and the emergence of new energy routes, have presented significant opportunities for the rise of the Turkic world. Initially, the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) focused on cooperation in the fields of culture and economy, known as low politics. Since 2010, however, it has expanded to include security and military cooperation, referred to as high politics. The integration process of OTS is progressing rapidly, and significant decisions are made annually. The introduction of OTS is crucial for Eurasia’s prosperity, security, and stability. Therefore, the book The Shining Star of the 21st Century: Organization of Turkic States, published by the Directorate of Communications of the Republic of Türkiye, aims to provide an essential introduction to OTS and its vital role in shaping the region’s future.

Social Movements and the Struggles for Rights, Justice and Democracy in Paraguay

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:58:00 GMT

Struggles for Rights, Justice, and Democracy in Paraguay and Social Movements is a detailed and comprehensive work aimed at readers with a strong interest in Latin American studies and Paraguayan socio-political issues. Its in-depth case studies and historical analysis make it particularly valuable for researchers, academics, and policymakers. The book provides a nuanced understanding of various social movements in Paraguay offering insights into how these movements have shaped the country’s political and social landscape. It is an essential resource for those seeking to understand the dynamics of grassroots activism, democratization, and social justice in Paraguay, particularly in the Latin American context.

The Political Outsider: Indian Democracy and the Lineages of Populism

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:53:00 GMT

Populist movements in various countries, including India, the United States, Türkiye, Spain, and Brazil, mark a new direction in studying political science and democracy. One common characteristic of populism is the people’s opposition to the democratic system and practices, which tend to be established and benefit the political elite. An interesting question to discuss, in this context, is why populist movements are important for democracy.

Migration as Economic Imperialism: How International Labour Mobility Undermines Economic Development in Poor Countries

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:48:00 GMT

Immanuel Ness’s Migration as Economic Imperialism: How International Labour Mobility Undermines Economic Development in Poor Countries critically examines the relationship between international labour mobility and economic development in poor countries. The book disputes the belief that labor migration from the Global South to wealthier countries is mutually beneficial. Rather, Ness contends that this migration represents a contemporary form of economic imperialism that perpetuates underdevelopment in poorer countries while benefiting the economies of wealthier nations.

Food Security, Affordable Housing, and Poverty: An Islamic Finance Perspective

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:20:00 GMT

The book, Food Security, Affordable Housing, and Poverty: An Islamic Finance Perspective, is part of a series that aims to contribute to developments in the Islamic finance industry, moral economics, regulatory and supervisory issues, and risk and asset management. This series focuses on key developments in the Islamic finance sector, as well as related contributions to moral economics, innovations in financial instruments, regulatory and supervisory issues, risk management, insurance, and asset management. The book explores the issue of poverty, intricately intertwined with food security and affordable housing. The book argues that financial institutions’ lending practices and collateralization issues are driving up prices in the housing and food sectors.

The Futures of Racial Capitalism

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:15:00 GMT

Although capitalism experienced various crises in the 20th century, it overcame each of them. Despite its criticisms, capitalism continues to persist in the 21st century. In the book The Futures of Racial Capitalism, Gargi Bhattacharyya offers an ambitious and detailed critique of capitalism. The book consists of six chapters, excluding the introduction and conclusion. The chapters present solid arguments for why capitalism is dangerous and for recognizing it as such. The book’s central premise revolves around racial capitalism, a term coined by Cedric Robinson to describe the inherent connections between capitalism and racial exploitation. According to the book, racial capitalism is not simply an economic system that functions in parallel to racism; rather, it is a system that is deeply dependent on racial hierarchies and differentiation to sustain itself.

Tribalism and Political Power in the Gulf: State Building and National Identity in Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:05:00 GMT

Tribalism, bedouinism, and tribal politics are constantly a topic of interest in Gulf Studies. The persistence of publications revolving around the relationship between tribes and the state proves that such notions remain relevant and valid in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) political context. In their book, Tribalism and Political Power in the Gulf: State Building and National Identity in Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, Courtney Freer and Alanoud al-Sharekh deal with tribes as modern and political units and explore how such terms are used, pointing to different meanings attached depending on the context. Therefore, they successfully highlight the dynamic and changing nature of the tribe, along with tribal values and customs, as adjusting and evolving elements in a political and social environment rather than having a single, stable definition. They selected Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE —GCC’s ‘super-rentier states’— as their case studies for a comparative approach, believing them to be the best examples of rentier state theory in the Gulf, given their similar circumstances.

The Commander-In-Chief Test: Public Opinion and the Politics of Image-Making in U.S. Foreign Policy

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:40:00 GMT

Jeffrey A. Friedman presents an alternative understanding of the common ideas around foreign decision-making and the policy application process. The alternative challenge the understanding that each issue has somewhat of an impact on the processes of presidential policy and that there is not a sizable pattern. He points out the problematic correlation between personal image-making and foreign policy positions. The book does not necessarily provide a formula for success in foreign policy making and the popularity of a leader but rather makes the patterns visible of what, at times, can be an unpredictable relationship.

Soft Power and Great-Power Competition: Shifting Sands in the Balance of Power between the United States and China

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 14:05:00 GMT

The transformation in the global balance of power and China’s growing influence requires a reassessment of the concept of power in the context of international relations literature. This book, which includes essays on the post Cold War period by Nye, one of the leading theorists of the concept of soft power, and the transcript of an online interview conducted with Nye as part of the “China and World” webinar series organized by the Center for China and Globalization in 2021, provides an important theoretical framework for understanding the changing global dynamics.

In Pursuit of Regional Hegemony: How Iran Is Using the IRGC to Resist U.S. Influence

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:50:00 GMT

With its ancient history, deep-rooted culture and rich heritage, Iran has been an influential power in the Middle East. Hence, Iran has always wanted to be the dominant power in the region. During the Pahlavi dynasty, Iran emerged as a significant regional power with close relations with the United States. However, the 1979 Islamic Revolution changed Iran’s foreign and regional policy. The alliance with the U.S. turned into hostility, and a more aggressive policy toward neighbors was pursued. This has resulted in Iran becoming increasingly isolated, both internationally and regionally. Iran’s status internationally, as a pariah state, has precluded the utilization of conventional warfare tactics by the Iranian state in its dealing with powerful rivals. Consequently, Iran has adopted different means to become a regional hegemonic power.

Digital Media and Refugeehood in Contemporary Australia

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 19:12:00 GMT

The book, Digital Media and Refugeehood in Contemporary Australia, by Arianna Grasso, examines how refugees in Australia use digi tal media to resist the Australian government’s mandatory detention policies. The book consists of 6 chapters, each analyzing refugees’ use of digital media from different perspectives and methods. Grasso investigates the counter-discourse strategies and digital resistance of refugees from Kurdish-Iranian, Rohingya (Myanmar), Tamil (Sri Lanka), and Iraqi backgrounds who are detained offshore in Australia. She looks at the challenges these individuals face in using digital platforms to express themselves and make their voices heard. The book highlights various digital strategies employed by refugees and the social and political impacts of these strategies in each chapter. This book can be considered a significant step towards amplifying the voices of refugees and making their experiences visible.