Tũrkish Pulse

  by Martin Aslan For as long as the world has existed, people have constantly moved from their place of birth to other regions, whether near, far, or even very far away. With the acquisition of knowledge, discoveries, and inventions, the possibility of travel has become more accessible, while simultaneously expanding the limits of mobility. The development of technologies enabling movement by land, sea, and air has provided us with the means to fulfill our desire to migrate. Curiosity and the need for growth were the primary motivations for those who embarked on the discovery of new worlds. However, some members of these adventurous populations were forced into exodus across the oceans. This was the case for convicts, given a kind of 'second chance,' or for slaves, subjected to 'an obligation.' The distinction between chosen, forced, or coerced migration is difficult to measure during the period of the New World's discovery. However, we can observe that the drive f...

by Martin Aslan A national defense industry is conceptually known as a Defense Industrial Technological Base (DITB). This industry is the result of the political will of a nation whose objective is to develop autonomous capabilities for acquiring military equipment to ensure its defense. These capabilities exist at three levels: the development and production of weapons systems, equipment support, and human support. Having such an industry is essential to demonstrating a nation's ability to exert influence on the international stage. The national defense industry also contributes to a country’s geopolitical standing. Establishing a DITB requires heavy investment, but it can generate substantial returns. An initial return on investment can be found in research and development on the dual-use technologies that form the foundation of weapon systems. Patents derived from these technologies can be applied to non-military sectors. Once a weapon system has been validated and tested, it ca...

by Martin Aslan Introduction State power is characterized by its ability to impose its choices on other players. The levers of this power are defined by several dimensions and capacities. The territorial dimension can provide resources of various kinds (agricultural, mining, hydrocarbons, etc.), but there are states with large territorial areas that derive little power from them, and the reverse is also true. For example, Sudan has vast land but limited influence, whereas Qatar, with a much smaller territory, wields considerable power. The demographic dimension offers growth potential. It can be an asset or a burden: an asset when the political and socio-economic dynamics favor the creation of tangible or intangible goods and innovation, but a burden in unfavorable conditions. The economic dimension undeniably confers power, manifesting in investment capacity, penetration or even domination of other markets, and control of capital markets, currencies, and raw materials. The socio-cultu...