Ambassador Talks Series: "Theory and Practice in Turkish Diplomacy"
April 29, 2026
The department of International and Comparative Politics continued its Ambassador Talks Series and welcomed a distinguished guest on 22 April, as President O鈥機onnor introduced H.E. the Turkish Ambassador Mekin Mustafa Kemal 脰kem for an engaging session on Turkish foreign policy 鈥� examining both its theoretical foundations and real-world practice.
The Ambassador Mekin Mustafa Kemal 脰kem opened with a thought-provoking reflection on the study of social phenomena, noting that social theory is inherently value-laden and subjective 鈥� a lens that shapes how we understand states, diplomacy, and international relations.
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Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as long-wave theory (Bloch, Braudel), the Ambassador traced T眉rkiye鈥檚 evolution across several distinct eras: from classical conquests and confederations, through the age of congresses that transformed societies into international systems, to the League of Nations, the United Nations, and the Cold War balance of blocs.
In practice, this arc moved from the Turkic expansions of the Karakhanid and Seljuk periods through to the vast Ottoman Empire 鈥� its rise, imperial implosion, and ultimate transformation into the modern Republic of T眉rkiye in 1923. Today, T眉rkiye operates as a significant regional and medium power on the world stage.
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A highlight of the talk was the relationship between T眉rkiye and Kyrgyzstan. Ambassador Mekin Mustafa Kemal 脰kem outlined a shared history stretching from pre-colonial Silk Road trade, migration, and conquest (10th鈥�19th centuries), through the Soviet era, to Kyrgyzstan鈥檚 independence in 1991, when T眉rkiye became the first country to formally recognise the new republic and send an ambassador to Bishkek. This early gesture of solidarity laid the groundwork for the strong bilateral ties that exist today.
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The session was followed by a lively Q&A in which students raised questions on topics close to their own experiences and interests 鈥� including T眉rkiye鈥檚 migration policies, bilateral relations between Kyrgyzstan and T眉rkiye, and the important role of education in deepening ties between the two nations.
President O鈥機onnor closed the event by thanking the Ambassador warmly, with both parties affirming a shared belief in the power of education as a bridge between peoples and nations.
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The Ambassador Talks Series continues to bring world-class diplomatic perspectives to the 偶蜜国际传媒 community.
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