The Underestimated Strategic Acumen of Turkey and Its Emerging Geopolitical Shift

For decades, U.S. foreign policy has often underestimated Turkey's intelligence and capacity to navigate the complex landscape of global politics. The policymakers in Washington, with their perceived mastery of international strategy, have treated Turkey as a subordinate player, ignoring its long-standing history of strategic thinking shaped by its unique geopolitical position and cultural legacy. This miscalculation has led to a series of diplomatic misunderstandings and strategic errors that have slowly pushed Turkey toward a new geopolitical alignment. Turkey’s recent moves to strengthen ties with organizations like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) reflect a deliberate pivot away from Western institutions like the European Union (EU) and potentially NATO.