A Natural Middle Power Turkey is a classic geopolitical middle power. It’s not strong enough to unilaterally impose its policies, but not weak enough to be forced into the orbit of another great power. This middle power status is rooted in its geographic position between Europe and Asia, which affords Turkey great economic opportunities and knowledge transfers, but also exposes it to security threats by placing it between numerous powerful countries and potential invaders. Turkey is best able to pursue its own core interests — internal unity, access to global markets, and external security — when the global geopolitical environment is fragmented. But Turkey cannot do so in the face of determined great power opposition without also exposing itself to threats that could unravel the state.