Theses supervised by Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar
11 theses · İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent University
Avrupa Birliği - Rusya doğal gaz ilişkileri
This thesis aims to analyze, the natural gas relationship of European Union and Russia with comparative perspective. The EU is very much dependent on Russian gas and this dependency is expected to increase in the following decades. On the other hand, the natural gas export revenues significantly contribute to Russian budget that makes it dependent on gas sales to Europe. Therefore, this relationship creates interdependence between EU and Russia. Finally, by means of analyzing this interdependency, this study also aims to discuss the possible contribution of Turkey to the future of EU-Russia gas relations.
Uygur (Doğu Türkistan) ayrılıkçılığı
Since the 1990s, concerns about Uyghur secessionism have taken increasing world media and official attention. This new situation has been heightened since the incident of 9/11 with not only the presence of the U.S. in Central Asia but also attempt of Chinese government to link Uyghur secessionism to global terrorism. This thesis aims to examine the Uyghur secessionism, which continues from the times of the Qing Dynasty to the present day. The thesis provides historical background and the case studies of Barın and Gulca in 1990s on what led to contemporary tensions between the Uyghur and the PRC. After examining the historical underpinning of Eastern Turkistan conflict, it also attempts to analyze current state of the Uyghur secessionism as an international issue, particularly after the incident of 9/11.
Sovyet Rusya?da insan hakları hareketi (1969-1980): fikirler, normlar ve devlet
This thesis attempts to shed light on the difficulties of defending the international norms of the idea of human rights against the dominance of the state and its interests, which are explained essentially by the rationalists and the political realists in domestic and international affairs, by focusing the clash between the Soviet state and the Soviet (Russian) dissidents throughout the détente period (1969-1980). The history of prominent dissident activities in Soviet Russia began during the de-Stalinization period under the Khrushchev administration (1956-1964). However, the human rights movement in the Soviet Union was affected to a great extent by the international environment in 1970s during which time norms became more significant in bilateral relations, and human rights-idea began to constitute the source of a normative challenge to pure rationalist/realist explanations based on power, self-interest and anarchy. In this regard, the primary purpose of adopting a constructivist perspective regarding the internationalization of human rights is to analyze the dissidence activities nurtured by the international norms and principles of human rights in Soviet Russia. Thus, the impacts of oppositions and responses supported by domestic and international factors within the state can be understood congruent with the policy changes, continuities, and stalemates. While the Soviet state?s fundamental response to these activities is interpreted as an amalgam of ideology, a priori principles and state-interests, the main argument of this thesis does not challenge the explanatory power of the rationalist/realist line in comprehending the dominance of the state over the dissidents and human rights defenders.
Türkmenler ve Türkmen boyları üzerine tarihsel ve semantik bir çalışma
This work traces the history and the tribal organization of the Turkmen tribes of today?s Turkmenistan. The study covers the period from the beginning of the tenth century up until the Russian conquest of the nineteenth century with a special emphasis given to the very early history of the Oghuz, the early Seljuk Turkmens and lastly the Turkmens under Uzbek Khanates and Persian rule. The aim is to find out how Turkmen tribes, tribal confederations and clans had taken their contemporary shape. Considering the role they played in history, the Oghuz, the forefathers of the Turkmens, enjoy great importance among the various branches of the Turkish people. Thus, in order to accomplish a comprehensive study of the Turkmen people within Turkistan, this work begins with detailed information about the etymology of the word ?Turkmen,? the names of the Turkmen tribes, and their structure by relying on the valuable works of the leading ancient scholars. Throughout centuries, the territory which is known to be the Turkmen land witnessed several conquerors; the Oghuz, Seljuks, Mongols, Timurids, Shaybanids, Uzbek Khanates and finally the Russians. By examining these troublesome periods in particular, this work aims to analyze the Turkmen people?s struggle against the Khivan, Persian and Russian dominance, and their tribal structure prior to the Russian conquest.
Andican ayaklanması, 13 Mayıs 2005
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union state building process in Uzbekistan became subjected to the social, political and economic problems. When all these factors came together Andican Uprising occurred on 13 May 2005. In this thesis I tried to clarify the basic motives behind the Andican Uprising. By investigating these motives, I attempted to shed light on religious fundamentalism that the Government of Uzbekistan faced after the collapse of the Soviet Union. As a part of problematical state building process, role of domestic politics in the emergence of the uprising was also covered by pointing out the characteristics of clan politics and civil society in Uzbekistan. Reasons of the event were also investigated on international level. In this context geopolitical strategy of international actors, the colored revolutions and U.S ? Uzbekistan relations were explored. Economic integration of Uzbekistan to world economy and its failing reformation process was explored. While promotion of democracy in Uzbekistan was necessitating broader freedom for society, religious fundamentalism led the government to intensify its authoritarian character. These two conflicting characteristics of the country created two sides over which international actors played their cards. While the west insisted on the democratization of the country the east supported the Uzbek government?s harsh measurement over religious groups. Andican Uprising is an important case in which it is possible to find all prominent characteristics of the Uzbek politics, and therefore this thesis can be taken as a laboratory work in which all relevant traces were investigated to understand Uzbekistan.
Annan planı sonrası Kıbrıs'ta seneryolar
This master?s thesis aims to introduce a proper understanding of the long-lasting problems in Cyprus by analyzing the specific elements that shape the conflict in the region, starting by giving the historical details of the island. Considering similar conflicts that occurred throughout the history and previously applied mechanisms in order to manage the problems on the island, several scenarios will be presented and discussed to light the way for the best settlement of conflicts. All the way through the study, the method of merging comparative and single case studies is adopted and in-dept interviews with the former and incumbent presidents of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are made to supply views of different generations whether non-recognition of the independence of TRNC have functioned as an impediment ahead of conflict resolution. The study is concluded by revealing that the case of TRNC fits into the category of ethnic conflict just like the case of Kosovo, hence the resolution that will be applied in TRNC shall be very similar to Kosovar experience.
Hırvatistan ve Türkiye: AB genişleme politikası şartlılık prensibinin ötesinde midir?
This thesis aims to understand the enlargement policy of the European Union in thelight of the comparative analysis of Turkish and Croatian accession process to the Union.In order to do that, the study asks the question whether the EU?s enlargement policy isbeyond the principle of political conditionality, which is to be applied to all applicant stateson equal footings. The focus here is on change in conditionality policy with respect to itsapproach and priorities. Given the need for comparison between Croatia and Turkey, thethesis tries to find out the relations between conditionality and the enlargement process andthe EU itself in terms of impact of the current policy environment on its commitment forenlargement. This study affords a picture of the problems which change in conditionalitysince 2004 has risen for the understanding of enlargement policy. Moreover, the thesisinvestigates how recent developments might have an effect on the enlargement policy ofthe Union. In this context, the thesis analyses the reason behind the different levels ofcommitment on the part of the EU towards Turkey and Croatia. Since they simultaneouslystarted the accession negotiations with the EU, there appears a great opportunity toevaluate the EU?s enlargement behaviour with its similarities and differences. In conclusion,member state preferences and concerns have a greater role in the changed policyenvironment, which requires an approach beyond the simple analysis of politicalconditionality to understand the enlargement policy of the Union.Keywords: Political conditionality, European Union, enlargement, candidate country,Turkey, Croatia
Orta Asya'da güvenlik bölgeselliği
The aim of this thesis is to provide an examination of regional security cooperation in Central Asia. The last resurgence of regionalism became a driving force for regional cooperation in Central Asia. In this process, the role of major powers, regional security threats and international system is very crucial. The aim of this thesis is to provide a deep assessment of these determinants.Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) and small Central Asian regional security initiatives were evaluated in this thesis. Due to that, the role of three major powers, Russia, the US and China in Central Asian regional security is studied in this work.This thesis emphasized on the current developments especially after the September 11 attacks. The US operation on Afghanistan following September 11 attacks accelerated regional cooperation in Central Asia.Contrary to the mainstream literature based on realist theory, focus on the competition between major powers for influence in the Central Asian region. This thesis argues that Central Asian security needs and major powers pragmatic concerns in the region coincide with the increasing regionalism approaches in the world politics. This coincidence will increase regional cooperation on security affairs. Moreover, major power cooperation will replace major powers competition in order to provide stability and security in the world and particularly in Central Asia.
İkinci Dünya Savaşı sırasında Almanya ve Türkistanlılar (1941-1945)
This thesis focuses on the debates about the nationalities issue in the Soviet Unionwith a special emphasis on the situation of the peoples living in the Soviet Central Asiaduring the World War II. The thesis traces the history of the Soviet Central Asia on the eveof the World War II and the patterns of behavior of the Turkestani soldiers in the SovietArmy during the war. This study also looks upon Hitler Germany and National Socialistmovement within a framework of the German change of attitude towards the Asiatic andTurkic peoples of the Soviet Union before and during the World War II. Finally, it tries tofind an answer to the question, why the Turkestani Muslim soldiers fought under Germanranks and to which degree this contributed to the nationalism of the Central Asian peoples.
İkinci Rus-İran Harbi ve Türkmençay Muahedesini takiben İran'dan Transkafkasya'ya Ermeni göçü
This work analyzes the Russo-Persian War of 1826-1828 and the migration of the Armenians from Persia to Transcaucasia following the Treaty of Türkmençay of 1828. This study covers the period from the forced immigrations of the Armenians of Julfa to Isfahan (New Julfa) by Shah Abbas I in 1604, to mostly the voluntary immigrations of the Armenians from Persia to Transcaucasia under the control of the Russian Empire in 1828. The main aim of the study is to draw attention to the relationship between the Russian Empire and the Armenians in the region during and after the Second Russo-Persian War.By the Persian Expedition of Peter the Great in 1722, the Armenians became hopeful that they would be emancipated from the Safavid rule, but owing to the highly strategic position of Transcaucasia and the pressure of the Ottoman Empire over the region, Peter the Great stepped back and the Armenians were disappointed. At the end of the 18th century, the Armenians hopes of emancipation were renewed with the brave attempts of Catherine the Great in the attempt to establish an Armenian state in Transcaucasia. In fact, her intention was to establish a buffer zone against the Ottoman Empire under the umbrella of the ?Greek Project? not to liberate the Armenians from the Persian rule. With the death of Catherine, the Armenians once more abandoned their hopes.By the beginning of the 19th century, from 1804 to 1813 the Russian Empire was at war with Persia. The results of this war were unbearable for Persia; the Russian Empire had annexed all the Caucasus except the Khanates of Revan and Nakhchivan. After 13 years, because of the frontier problem these two great powers resumed the war, which continued until 1828. This second war was shorter than earlier but more costly. Although the role of the Armenians was not clear during the second war following the Treaty of Türkmençay approximately 45,000 Armenians emigrated to Transcaucasia from Persia, particularly from Azerbaijan.
Sovyet Transkafkasyası 1917-1945: Ulusların dönüşümü
This thesis analyzes the nationalities policy of the Soviet Union with a special emphasis on three major Transcaucasian nationalities, i.e. Georgians, Azerbaijanis and Armenians. The thesis focuses on the Soviet nationalities policy and attempts to shed light on the history of these three Transcaucasian nationalities within the context of this policy. Soviet nationalities policy, even if disparately applied for any nationality under the Soviet rule, resulted in significant consequences for all the nationalities of the Union. Within this framework, this study aims to explain both idiosyncratic and alike evolutions of Georgians, Azerbaijanis and Armenians, at the same time, under the Soviet rule. Finally, it argues that Soviet policies, specifically the nationalities policy, played the major role in the transformation of Transcaucasian nationalities and determined the current dynamics of the region.