Can Turkey become a "Superpower"?

[T-72M1]

No, there is only one, and they dwarf both Russia and China, combined.

and now with Trump they're going to be greater than ever before, so no chance for anyone lol

one must remember, the economy and military/nuclear weaponry might are two of 3 essential components, pieces that must all come together to form the idea of a true super-power. The third of those components is culture, or soft power, and nobody comes close to dominating the world like the US have. Like President Trump said in his fiery inaugural address, they're the shining city on the hill everyone wants to emulate, and then there's music and art etc where American artists dominate, there is no Russian Jimi Hendrix or Metallica or Clint Eastwood etc.. and food (all those iconic brands, coke/pepsi/kfc, clothing, again American companies dominate, footwear.. an endless list of soft power/culture etc where nobody comes close)

having said that, I see no reason why the Turks cant be a greater regional power than they are today, one that dwarfs all others in the region and a more important voice on the global level. Step one would have be to leave NATO though, where you get the goodies but high command is in Washington D.C. and NATO minions can not into greatness.

 

[Samurai_assassin]

Well frankly I guess most can agree that the world has currently officially only 1 super power. USA has full control over all of the world's oceans and seas, and is the single strongest military entity in the world. China and Russia combined would still be less of a power compared with US military capabilities. I'm not very familiar with Nuclear capabilities and shield defence systems among nuclear powers of the world, though I know both US and Russia has almost equal amount of warheads around ~3500, this surely puts a questionmark whether Russia also should be considered a Superpower. And China has its own reasons to be ranked as Superpower due to its military programmes and astonishing economical growth.

Turkey currently and for a very long time has been the second largest military in NATO after USA. Turkey has some dozens big scale frigates that are destroyer class, and has many navy programmes one of them being a light-aircraft carrier. Turkey's current airforce is in top 10 of the world's strongest airforce, and if we look in the future - Turkey has a contract of 100+ F-35 and in addition to this their very own indeginious TF-X programme which will be a 5th generation fighter jet. Turkey though has poor nuclear arsenal - Turkey (known) only has NATO nuclear defence system, though there are two things to keep in mind:
1. in Akkuyu (Turkey) there is an ongoing nuclear power plant construction with Russia.
2. A former PM (Necmeddin Erbakan) of Turkey has went to Pakistan multiple times, and returned with nuclear-scientists and engineers - this was a very hidden programme only few officials knows of this and it's not spoken of - the programme was kept on "hold" when Erbakan was removed from authority after Turkey suffered a military coup (back then in ~25 years ago) - what's interesting is, when Erdogan came for 15 years ago he resumed this secret programme (any Pakistani can confirm this?). We still don't know what extent the programme is as of yet.
In addition to all this, Turkey is developing its military capabilities with indigenous programmes in every field, especially missile and rocket systems(HISAR-A, HISAR-O), tanks (ALTAY tank, KORAL), navy (TCG Anadolu), drones (ANKA) last but not least jet fighters (TF-X). Furthermore, Turkey is also advancing in radar and satellite systems. And one must not forget the ongoing S-400 negotiations between Russia and Turkey.

All this said Turkey is surely no superpower, though it may be a regional-superpower in Middle East and somewhat in East-Europe. Though definitely Turkey is an emerging power, and possibly somewhere in the very near future it will become a great power. The discussion on whether Turkey possesses the potential of being a superpower is being asked, because personally I can come up with at least four reasons:
1. Turkey the single most developed and strongest country among all Muslim countries, and most Muslim countries looks up to Turkey today.
2. It is the country that united all of Muslim countries and ruled them for not less than 600 years, and it is the last country that ruled with a caliphate.
3. Most Muslims in the world is expecting a unition and striving for this, but many powers are not permitting this - going with Murphy's law it's inevitable for this to happen.
4. Turkey's current President Erdogan is loved among most Muslim countries, and most Muslims are actually expecting him to initiate this long awaited unition among Muslims.

I appreciate all your thoughts, opinions, suggestions and contributions to this thread. And don't forget to vote, and sorry if I have given any wrong info.
The question is pretty clear, and of course I don't mean anytime in the near 5-10 years but if we think 15-30 years ahead or more?

Thanks.

Do the Turks still favour joining the EU or has the desire vanished? My personal opinion the Europeans will never treat the Turks with fairness and equality. I doubt they will ever allow turkey entry into a dying EU Union.

 

[Selim I]

Do the Turks still favour joining the EU or has the desire vanished? My personal opinion the Europeans will never treat the Turks with fairness and equality. I doubt they will ever allow turkey entry into a dying EU Union.

The majority of Turks doesn't want to join EU any longer. Polls reveal that around 68% doesn't want to join EU, 23% is in favor of joining EU and there are around 9% that are in doubt.

60% of the questionnaires think that the reason why EU has double standards towards Turkey is because Turks are Muslim.

My personal opinion is also No to EU. Turkey can accomplish more like it's doing now, leaning towards Asia and the growing countries of Asia, and by restoring peace and stability in Middle East.

 

[Cthulhu]

To be realistic here, for several reasons there is and will be only one super power, the United States of America. Not even Chinese can compete with them.

 

[Jlaw]

The majority of Turks doesn't want to join EU any longer. Polls reveal that around 68% doesn't want to join EU, 23% is in favor of joining EU and there are around 9% that are in doubt.

60% of the questionnaires think that the reason why EU has double standards towards Turkey is because Turks are Muslim.

My personal opinion is also No to EU. Turkey can accomplish more like it's doing now, leaning towards Asia and the growing countries of Asia, and by restoring peace and stability in Middle East.

It goes both ways. I'm sure Europeans do not want Turkey to be part of EU. in world geopolitics, Erdogan is untrustworthy to most leaders. 7 months ago, turkey and Russia were enemies. Now he has turned 180 because NATO did not support his actions against Russia. He thought he could start a war with Russia involving NATO but was rejected by NATO. Than he turned his back on them and befriend Russia. He's a good actor but not Oscar material.

 

[YeBeWarned]

First of all i would like to say that I really love Turkey as a Country, and Turkey is the second country i love after Pakistan..
but truth is i vote NO Turkey is not a Super Power and wont become one in near future .. Turkey leads the Number 1 Position as strongest Muslim nation , the difference between Pakistan and Turkey is that Pakistan Got Nukes , Put 100 Nukes in hands of Turkey and they can take any European Nation head on ..

Turkey is surely a Regional Power with Israel, KSA and Iran ..but none of these countries have any influence outside their territories by legal means , Proxy is not count as a Influence to hold the title .. Look at how USA is only Super Power, they don't just have Strongest Military , Air force , Navy and Industry they Influence so many countries like Germany, Japan and South Korea tops the list ..
no one can beat US and become a Super power post 2050 ... After or around 2050 the world will become a multi-polar world where US might lose influence over regions and countries and China gaining some ..Russians are also flexing Muscles which by 2050 will lift Russians to a new level of Power projection ..

India has potential to become a strong power but they are to obsessed with Pakistan that even in 2050 they will be acting like a spoil kid of S.Asia bring Politics in Sports , Arts etc ... and as for Muslims joining hands to declare themselves as a Super Power, i don't see that happening in this century cause there is no way Shia and Sunni Mullah's will sit together to Follow one Islam .. even before they declare a Islamic Empire and Chose a leader to rule them, he will be declared a " Murtad or Kaffir " ( Non Muslim ) by the other sect and denied his Caliphate ..
There will come a time when Muslims will come together to create a Empire, but that time is not coming soon and before that lots of Countries will Vanished as independent States ..

 

[Selim I]

It goes both ways. I'm sure Europeans do not want Turkey to be part of EU. in world geopolitics, Erdogan is untrustworthy to most leaders. 7 months ago, turkey and Russia were enemies. Now he has turned 180 because NATO did not support his actions against Russia. He thought he could start a war with Russia involving NATO but was rejected by NATO. Than he turned his back on them and befriend Russia. He's a good actor but not Oscar material.

I'd rather say both Russia and Turkey realized that there were no point in being enemies, since it reduced both countries economies and security - especially when NATO countries are against both Turkey's and Russia's strategies in Syria.

 

[武成王]

currently, it's nonsense to talk about 'another super power'. USA is currently the only one, and will be the only one for a very long time, meanwhile, USA is the only one EVER in human history. modern nation don't fight for being a super power, super power is a natural evolution of human history, USA smartly, patiently wait other powers(european) to fight each other and then grab a large share of power with USSR. USSR eventually screwed up itself by its retarded leadership, the final result is the birth of USA The Great. USA pushed her influence into every corner of the planet. English is the de factor lingua franca, USA is in fact a club of global elites, attract most
brilliant brains from all over the world, this is the key factor to keep its top competitiveness, you can not find second one, even remotely rival. Turkey was a big power, ottoman empire. but the era of conquering by military already passed. it's not interesting to be a super power, rather a burden. No doubt Turkey is a regional power due to its strategic geography, it has the potential to be super power of muslim world.

 

[Selim I]

First of all i would like to say that I really love Turkey as a Country, and Turkey is the second country i love after Pakistan..
but truth is i vote NO Turkey is not a Super Power and wont become one in near future .. Turkey leads the Number 1 Position as strongest Muslim nation , the difference between Pakistan and Turkey is that Pakistan Got Nukes , Put 100 Nukes in hands of Turkey and they can take any European Nation head on ..

Turkey is surely a Regional Power with Israel, KSA and Iran ..but none of these countries have any influence outside their territories by legal means , Proxy is not count as a Influence to hold the title .. Look at how USA is only Super Power, they don't just have Strongest Military , Air force , Navy and Industry they Influence so many countries like Germany, Japan and South Korea tops the list ..
no one can beat US and become a Super power post 2050 ... After or around 2050 the world will become a multi-polar world where US might lose influence over regions and countries and China gaining some ..Russians are also flexing Muscles which by 2050 will lift Russians to a new level of Power projection ..

India has potential to become a strong power but they are to obsessed with Pakistan that even in 2050 they will be acting like a spoil kid of S.Asia bring Politics in Sports , Arts etc ... and as for Muslims joining hands to declare themselves as a Super Power, i don't see that happening in this century cause there is no way Shia and Sunni Mullah's will sit together to Follow one Islam .. even before they declare a Islamic Empire and Chose a leader to rule them, he will be declared a " Murtad or Kaffir " ( Non Muslim ) by the other sect and denied his Caliphate ..
There will come a time when Muslims will come together to create a Empire, but that time is not coming soon and before that lots of Countries will Vanished as independent States ..

Thanks for your honest opinion, but my question was not whether Turkey is a superpower or not, surely it's no superpower as I stated. I was asking if Turkey possesses the potential of becoming a superpower (not in the near future) but in 30+ years?
I stated some arguments on why I think Turkey indeed posses a potential.

And thank you for your friendly comment

 

[Jlaw]

I'd rather say both Russia and Turkey realized that there were no point in being enemies, since it reduced both countries economies and security - especially when NATO countries are against both Turkey's and Russia's strategies in Syria.

Since Turkey is a NATO member why turkey did not go along with NATO strategy in Syria ?

 

[Cthulhu]

First of all i would like to say that I really love Turkey as a Country, and Turkey is the second country i love after Pakistan..
but truth is i vote NO Turkey is not a Super Power and wont become one in near future .. Turkey leads the Number 1 Position as strongest Muslim nation , the difference between Pakistan and Turkey is that Pakistan Got Nukes , Put 100 Nukes in hands of Turkey and they can take any European Nation head on ..

Turkey is surely a Regional Power with Israel, KSA and Iran ..but none of these countries have any influence outside their territories by legal means , Proxy is not count as a Influence to hold the title .. Look at how USA is only Super Power, they don't just have Strongest Military , Air force , Navy and Industry they Influence so many countries like Germany, Japan and South Korea tops the list ..
no one can beat US and become a Super power post 2050 ... After or around 2050 the world will become a multi-polar world where US might lose influence over regions and countries and China gaining some ..Russians are also flexing Muscles which by 2050 will lift Russians to a new level of Power projection ..

India has potential to become a strong power but they are to obsessed with Pakistan that even in 2050 they will be acting like a spoil kid of S.Asia bring Politics in Sports , Arts etc ... and as for Muslims joining hands to declare themselves as a Super Power, i don't see that happening in this century cause there is no way Shia and Sunni Mullah's will sit together to Follow one Islam .. even before they declare a Islamic Empire and Chose a leader to rule them, he will be declared a " Murtad or Kaffir " ( Non Muslim ) by the other sect and denied his Caliphate ..
There will come a time when Muslims will come together to create a Empire, but that time is not coming soon and before that lots of Countries will Vanished as independent States ..

But I think no one can compete with them even post 2050. Even now Chinese are their economic rival because of their own policies (globalism).

 

[Selim I]

Since Turkey is a NATO member why turkey did not go along with NATO strategy in Syria ?

This thread will not be about Syrian war and Turkey's role in it I will reply shortly to your question.
NATO didn't have any interest in stopping the criminal terrorist Assad, who slaughtered more than 300.000 of his own people. Erdogan did, many times, invite NATO forces to intervene and stop Assad together - there were no real responds other than that "you are right". NATO was busy in calculating "what's in it for us?" and I guess they couldn't see any profit - so they remained silent.

Turkey then naturally chose its own path. And achieved great success.

 

[xenon54 out]

This thread will not be about Syrian war and Turkey's role in it I will reply shortly to your question.
NATO didn't have any interest in stopping the criminal terrorist Assad, who slaughtered more than 300.000 of his own people. Erdogan did, many times, invite NATO forces to intervene and stop Assad together - there were no real responds other than that "you are right". NATO was busy in calculating "what's in it for us?" and I guess they couldn't see any profit - so they remained silent.

Turkey then naturally chose its own path. And achieved great success.

But now working together with Russia wich reperesents Assads interests, Erdogan is even ok with SAA taking lands from YPG, lets not fool ourselves, the plan for Syria didnt go as planned.

 

[Beast]

To be realistic here, for several reasons there is and will be only one super power, the United States of America. Not even Chinese can compete with them.

No. Economic wise, China is not very far off from US. Remember its the US dollar that defeat Soviet Union. Not US military might or nuclear weapon. Not even Soviet Union at its peak has an economy as powerful as China now. The USSR has never dominate or control certain areas of commodity like the Chinese do. The reason US never dare to trade full economy war with China has a reason.

See how Philippine, Malaysia and Mongolia bring to our knees be cos of our economy might.

 

[YeBeWarned]

I was asking if Turkey possesses the potential of becoming a superpower (not in the near future) but in 30+ years?

Honest answer is NO , turkey can not become Super power in 30 years .. because there are 2 more countries in line China and Russia even if consider the possibility of USA getting down as a Super Power ..that there are UK , France, Germany and India ..turkey can become a very strong country but they have a long journey to complete and Muslims were once Super Power not as separate independent states but when we were united under only One flag of Islam .. wait for that time to come,Allah and Prophet promised that to us so i have faith it will happen but only in due time ..world's destiny is written the day will come Inshallah when we will rule the World again ..

But I think no one can compete with them even post 2050. Even now Chinese are their economic rival because of their own policies (globalism).

China is Drifting faster than we think , but still they accept that they can not beat USA ...but by 2050 China will be something more than we expect .. Chinese can surprise the world and so does Russian