Turkey has demonstrated a noticeable increase in its influence in Central Asia in recent years, which is related to the country’s historical, cultural and geopolitical ambitions. Recently, a new term, “Turkestan,” has appeared in the history curriculum in Turkey, replacing the name “Central Asia.” This move has caused a stir among experts and politicians, as it indicates Turkey’s intention to strengthen its cultural and political presence in the region.
This was reported by The Diplomat.
The Historical Basis of the Term “Turkestan”
“Turkestan” is an ancient name for the region, which was historically used to refer to vast territories inhabited by Turkic peoples. For centuries, Turkestan was a cultural and trade hub along the Great Silk Road. This region included the modern Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. However, over time, the term “Turkestan” has fallen out of official use. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, a more neutral name, Central Asia, became established in the political arena. This term began to be used to refer to a group of independent states that emerged from the Soviet Union.
The replacement of the name “Central Asia” with “Turkestan” in the Turkish school curriculum is not only a return to the historical past, but also a reflection of Turkey’s modern ambitions. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his administration are actively promoting pan-Turkism, seeking to unite the Turkic peoples not only culturally but also politically. This step can be seen as part of Turkey’s strategic plan to strengthen its influence in Central Asia. The Turkish authorities see the countries of the region as their historical allies and believe that their cultural and linguistic ties can become the basis for strengthening economic and political relations.
The Geopolitical Importance of the Region
Central Asia occupies a strategic position on the world map and is an important region in terms of geopolitics. It is at the intersection of interests of such major players as Russia, China, and the United States. In this context, Turkey is trying to carve out a niche for itself by using soft power and cultural ties to strengthen its influence. The term “Turkestan” symbolizes Turkey’s desire to strengthen its presence in the region, where it competes with Russia and China.
One should not forget about the importance of Central Asia’s energy resources, which play a key role in the global economy. The region is rich in natural resources such as oil, gas and uranium, which attracts the attention of not only its neighbors but also world powers. Turkey, which is actively developing its energy policy, is also interested in access to these resources and wants to strengthen its position in the energy sector.
Reaction to change
Turkey’s decision to use the term “Turkestan” has caused a mixed reaction. Some consider it an attempt by Turkey to restore historical justice and return respect for the Turkic peoples, while others see it as a desire for dominance and an attempt to increase influence in neighboring countries. Some experts note that this could cause tensions with Russia, which historically views Central Asia as its sphere of influence. It is also worth considering that the Central Asian countries, although they have cultural ties with Turkey, may not support all of Ankara’s ambitions, especially in the context of the struggle for a multi-vector foreign policy.
Overall, changing the name of the region in the school curriculum is important for shaping the worldview of future generations in Turkey. The use of the term “Turkestan” at the school level is aimed at instilling in children a sense of belonging to the common cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples. This is part of a broader campaign to strengthen national identity and patriotism among young people. The Turkish authorities see this as an opportunity not only to glorify the past, but also to create a basis for future alliances in the international arena. In the long term, this may lead to closer integration of the Turkic states, which is one of the long-term goals of the Turkish leadership.
Well, replacing the term “Central Asia” with “Turkestan” in the Turkish school curriculum is not just a matter of semantics. It reflects deeper changes in Turkey’s geopolitical strategy and its desire to expand its influence in the region. Turkey is actively using its historical and cultural commonality with the Turkic peoples to strengthen its position on the international stage. This move could intensify competition for influence in Central Asia, where other major players such as Russia and China are already present.
