The glorious legacy of Turkey has substantially impacted the dynamics and the identity of the Mediterranean region.
The country’s rich archeological, religious and cultural heritage flourished even thanks to its strategic geopolitical position, which has rendered the former Ottoman Empire the pivotal bridge between the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere. However, on the flip side of the coin, it is evident that, still nowadays, the process of Turkey’s accession to the EU represents one of the most thorny issues and irresolvable challenges of the nation. Ending the accession negotiations would not solve the existing problems, but it would risk further alienating Turkey from the West and leading to more confrontation. It would be less risky for the EU to keep the accession process alive, at least until the next Turkish elections in 2023, when there could be a change of government.
Within this complex and ever-changing scenario, Istanbul (once Byzantium and Constantinople) is depicted as the perfect place to fully understand the relevant political, economic and diplomatic developments of the country. The conformation of the city itself, enclosed between two different seas, the diverse and multi-ethnic population, its artistic and religious relevance, have traditionally contributed to transform Istanbul into a unique spyglass on several geopolitical issues.
Currently, Istanbul is the main hub in order to approach the eastern-western studies, as a direct consequence of its singular combination of geographical, ethnical, cultural and political situations.
