Правци деловања обавештајног сектора Републике Турске на Балкану
Ways of Action of Turkish Intelligence Sector in Balkans

Summary/Abstract: Turkey as undoubtedly a regional power with clearly expressed intentions to emerge from the Regional framework, sees the Balkans as its first sphere of interest. She does this because of the undoubtedly strong historical connections that exist with Balkans since the Ottoman Empire, thinking that todays Balkans is temporarily occupied territory of the former Ottoman Empire and naturally it belongs to Turkey. Reflecting on the neo-Osmanic concept of Turkish state policy outlined in Ahmet Davutoglu’s „Strategic Depth”, four components can be clearly identified that define the direction of Turkey’s actions towards the Balkans, or four directions engaging the Turkish intelligence structure in order to influence the politics of Balkan states. Those are: 1. Assisting and strengthening the political leadership of the Balkan states and quasi-states that are in friendly relations with Turkey 2. 2. Recruitment of numerous Muslim diaspora from the Balkan region in Turkey and recruitment of their relatives in the Balkan countries for action in favor of TFM 3. 3. Influence in the sphere of economy, especially in the area where the majority population is Muslim 4. 4. Creating a space for the affirmation of cultural content offered by Turkey in the Balkan countries through which the image of the Ottoman Empire’s period regime changes In all these fields, Turkey is very active, using various permissible diplomatic methods of interstate cooperation, but within which she is often able to engage certain activities, in the wake of humanitarian work and connection with their compatriots, actually serve as a method of intelligence work. Turkey does most of this through its agency „TIKA” (Organization for International Cooperation and Development) belonging to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, but also through many other organizations of religious and educational character. In the coming period of general geopolitical and potential borders changes, this paper aims to contribute to revealing how Turkey, as a regional power intent on raising itself from the regional environment and wants through intelligence to act towards its Balkan neighbors and Serbia too.

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