Visegrad Group (V4) composed of Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia is a significant subregional partnership that has influenced the European Union’s policies particularly in the area of migration policies. Although the group does not always speak with one voice in every policy area, Hungary became particularly estranged from the V4 due to its differing position on the Russia-Ukraine war. This study analyses the implications of Hungary’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war for the V4 cooperation. With this aim, it overviews the importance of the V4 in furthering Hungary’s interests, searches for economic and political considerations influencing Hungary’s position on the Russia- Ukraine war, and discusses the diverging positions of the rest of the block on the war with its implications for the V4 cooperation. The study benefits from the analysis of primary sources such as the V4 declarations and official statements, Hungarian presidency programs, Orbán’s statements as well as the news and the secondary research. The study finds out that Hungary endorses the unified EU stance as long as it does not contradict its core interests among which its energy security prevails. Yet, Hungary’s differing position on the war from that of the EU and the V4 by being pro-Russian as a result of being pro-Hungarian stems from its divergent views on security and foreign policy objectives. Although Hungary’s stance on the war has affected the V4 cooperation adversely at the beginning, as there is no clear end to the Russia-Ukraine war soon, Hungary’s partners shifted their attitudes to focus on their shared interests inside the V4 bloc rather than on what separates them.

Keywords: Hungary, Visegrad Group, Russia-Ukraine war, foreign policy, European Union.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2023.4-01 [HTML]

This study examines the foreign policy and diplomacy pursued by the Mongol Khans during the Yuan Dynasty (1268-1369), who held the titles of both Mongol qaghan and Chinese Emperor. Specifically, Qubilai Qaghan, who received the title of Khan at a qurultai held in the city of Shangdu, located in present-day Beijing, rather than the Orkhon region traditionally used for convening qurultais, and without the participation of all Mongol nobles, had to establish his legitimacy throughout his life both among the Mongols and the people he conquered in Asia. For this purpose, he utilized diplomacy and foreign policy as much as conquests. Within the scope of this study, the rhetoric and legitimacy foundations used in diplomacy are examined, taking into account not only the Goryeo kingdom in Korea, which became a vassal of the Mongol Empire but also regional states such as Japan, which did not acknowledge Mongol superiority and dominion, as well as diplomacy conducted with states in Southeast Asia and Europe. During this period, the Yuan Dynasty successfully blended elements of legitimacy belonging to China with those from the Turkic-Mongol tradition in its foreign policy, thereby leaving a lasting diplomatic legacy, especially in East Asia.

Keywords: Yuan Dynasty, Mongol Empire, diplomacy, China, Japan, Korea.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2023.4-02 [HTML]

This paper aims to analyze the dynamics of key indicators and reveal challenges for Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector. In so doing, the paper applies statistical and comparative methods. The paper shows a significant transformation in Kazakhstan’s agriculture. At the same time, many important issues such as low levels of investment and development of agricultural technologies, changing production patterns, and policy inefficiencies. Climate change and water deficit also pose significant threats to the agricultural sector. The government of Kazakhstan develops policies to strengthen the agricultural capacities of the country. The paper provides policy recommendations, that can complement the developed programs and contribute to competitiveness improvement. These policy recommendations cover both domestic and international directions.

Keywords: Kazakhstan, Agriculture, Agricultural investments, Agricultural technologies, Agricultural policy.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2023.4-03 [HTML]

The China Dream articulated by President Xi Jinping when he took office in 2012 guides China’s new Global Strategy, particularly the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) announced in 2013. Türkiye is also interested in this initiative and embraces it politically, with the idea that it will strengthen regional connectivity and thus increase commercial and economic gains. As a result, it completed many transportation projects on its route. However, Türkiye still faces a number of problems such as regional instability, security risks, lack of mutual trust and lack of robust guarantee mechanisms. On the other hand, Chinese businesses in Türkiye also face higher financing risk, strong competition and operational risks. In addition, there are other non-economic risks arising from politics, security and cultural differences. In this article, using SWOT analysis, the strengths and opportunities for Türkiye will be analyzed while the weaknesses and threats for BRI will be examined.

Keywords: Belt and Road Initiative, China, Türkiye.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2023.4-04 [HTML]

The Eurasian geography is a strategic intersection for great powers which are currently interested in the region. After the collapse of the USSR, the Russian Federation seemed to slow down politically between 1990 and 2000 to regain its lost power and maintain its influence in the region. Geography continues to impact states’ survival and foreign policies in the Eurasian region. After the Cold War, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization became one of the critical organizations in the Eurasian region. The paper discusses the organization’s influence and power in the region’s geopolitical significance. Its methodology will be a comparative literature interpretation on the axis of qualitative data. The study assumes that this region remains a game-changer where great powers focus. The paper also evaluates the latest situation based on regional and global developments.

Keywords: SCO, Russia, Central Asia, Great Powers, Iran, China.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2023.4-05 [HTML]

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2023.4-06 [HTML]