The expansion of Western Europe, which was marked by the expansion of the European Union, is grinding to a halt. European structures are faltering as the Continent struggles through a deep economic crisis marked by weak growth prospects and a grim demographic outlook. Meanwhile, Turkey is continuing its nascent expansion and is re-evaluating its geopolitical position at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. Its economy and its population are growing. Indeed, Turkey is expected to have a larger population than any of the European powers by 2025. Turkish and Western European interests have collided several times throughout history as the Turks' sphere of influence overlapped with that of European powers in Central Europe, as well as with France and Spain. With the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century, Turkish influence abroad shriveled and the Turks lost nearly all of their European territory.