The concept of Blue Homeland, frequently heard in recent years, has taken its place in international relations literature and serves as a strategic framework reinforcing Turkey’s sovereign rights over its continental shelf. In the ever-changing structure of global diplomacy, nations act in accordance with their national interests, often under a zero-sum logic. This competitive environment has birthed many new doctrines and strategic concepts. While doctrines are commonly associated with U.S. presidential strategies, Turkish diplomacy has also made significant strides in developing its own doctrines in recent years.
The Blue Homeland offers a new perspective on the long-standing disputes over continental shelf rights and maritime zones in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean—issues that Turkey has struggled with for decades. Introduced to the literature by retired Admiral Cem Gürdeniz and former Admiral Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cihat Yaycı, what does this concept actually represent?
The foundations of the Blue Homeland trace back to 1947, when U.S. President Truman introduced the “Continental Shelf” issue—a pivotal move redefining sovereignty over seas and recognizing oceans as integral to national territories. This initiative was primarily aimed at facilitating oil exploration off the U.S. coast.
Later, the 1958 Geneva Convention on the Law of the Sea formally defined the concept of the continental shelf, which laid the groundwork for the Blue Homeland. The essence of this definition lies in harnessing maritime resources to contribute to national wealth. For countries like Turkey, surrounded by seas, the continental shelf holds undeniable strategic importance. However, the 1982 concept of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has become the focal point of many regional disputes.
According to Ret. Admiral Cem Gürdeniz, the Blue Homeland underscores the need to utilize adjacent maritime zones as a national necessity in a world shaped by shifting dynamics. Seas, just like lands, are inseparable parts of a nation’s territory. Historical legal conflicts in Turkey’s territorial waters have only emphasized the importance of this concept. Moreover, the Blue Homeland symbolizes Turkey’s ambition to advance and assert itself in maritime affairs.
The continental shelf, as regulated by the Geneva Convention, includes maritime zones that fulfill the treaty’s conditions, without requiring a formal declaration by the coastal state. In contrast, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) must be declared and defines the scope of a state’s economic activities.
The emergence of the Blue Homeland concept has intertwined the ideas of the continental shelf and EEZ. It aims to resolve disputes stemming from these overlapping concepts and protect Turkey’s maritime security and interests. Especially in the Eastern Mediterranean—where oil and natural gas exploration has intensified—this doctrine offers a fresh perspective on conflicts involving numerous international actors, and its success is highly anticipated.
While international political conflicts are shaped by economic, cultural, and military influences, theoretical frameworks play a key role in formulating long-term solutions. The Blue Homeland doctrine, brought into academic and strategic discourse by Ret. Admiral Cem Gürdeniz and Former Admiral Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cihat Yaycı, can be evaluated within the context of Defensive Realism.
Defensive Realism explains the behavior of states that act to preserve the balance of power within the international system. In today’s unipolar world order, the likelihood of direct conflict is reduced, and diplomacy alongside military balance is more prominent. In this context, Turkey has adopted a defensive strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean, focusing on protecting its maritime zones.
The understanding of Defensive Realism, as articulated by Kenneth Waltz and Stephen Walt, plays a balancing role in the Blue Homeland doctrine. Turkey strives to stay clear of regional conflicts, working instead to foster peace—guided by the principle of “Peace at Home, Peace in the World.”
The Blue Homeland is a concept that transcends politics. Regardless of political views, it is a sacred national value that should be embraced by every citizen who loves their country. As its name suggests, it is a homeland—a sacred domain that cannot be subject to political manipulation or division. Just as the unity of land is non-negotiable, so too is the integrity of the Blue Homeland.
Turkey has been actively implementing the Blue Homeland doctrine through various strategic actions, including:
The Blue Homeland is a strategic and national doctrine that safeguards Turkey’s rights and interests at sea, supports national security, and contributes to regional peace.
Bilal Yazkan | Founder & Chairman of the Board | Digital Press Holding
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