Boosting Influence: Türkiye’s Renewed Military Activism in the Balkans

While military and defense issues dominated Türkiye’s Balkan policy in the 1990s, economic, social, and cultural aspects became more salient from the early 2000s on. This article examines the resurgence of Türkiye’s military and defense activities in the Balkans since the late 2010s. By demonstrating various platforms of military presence and defense cooperation, the article discusses how Türkiye’s engagements in military and defense fields are widening and deepening. Türkiye actively participates in international operations and regional defense cooperation mechanisms, often assuming leading roles. Bilateral cooperation with Balkan countries has been further strengthened by new agreements signed in recent years. Türkiye has also seen a substantial increase in defense industry exports to the region, supporting the development of these countries’ defense capacities. Driven by various factors and motivations such as its commitment to regional peace and stability, its advancements in defense industry and military technology, its quest for a stronger role in the region, and the increasing interest of Balkan countries in collaborating with Türkiye, the rising activism in military and defense fields indicates a new trend in Türkiye’s Balkan policy. Thus, military and defense engagements, which were a significant dimension of Türkiye’s Balkan policy in the 1990s, are regaining importance, even if within a different context and driven by new dynamics.