Series: Energy Policies, Politics and Prices
BISAC: BUS070040

Erdogan discovered in 2002 that energy policies and the energy sector would create a mechanism to institute his dynasty in Turkey. The energy policies of the Erdogan era include how the Erdogan family engaged in the international energy business in Turkey and neighboring countries, and how they became wealthy.

After many years of supporting the Calik Holding, the former CEO, Berat Albayrak, Erdogan’s son-in-law, was appointed Turkey’s Minister of Energy by Erdogan in 2015. Since Erdogan came to power in 2002, many books and articles were published on Turkey’s foreign policy and domestic politics by scholars. However, this is the first book that combines Erdogan’s energy policy actions (country by country in chronological order) as well as describing the underlying corruption allegations, the Zarrab case, and the smuggling of ISIS oil. As a result of the research through official Turkey institutions and international institutions, it is shown that an overseas Turkish energy company was and continues to be involved in the energy blocks of Iraqi Kurdistan, thanks to Erdogan’s agreement with the Barzani administration.

This book aims to analyze Turkey’s energy relations with Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq-Iraqi Kurdistan, Eastern Mediterranean and Central Asian countries since 2002. One of the notable outcomes of the book is to reveal how Erdogan contributed to Israel’s energy security despite his anti-Israeli rhetoric. The reader will learn the details of the energy projects between Turkey and other countries. In addition, the reader will also learn the roles of Turkey’s energy companies close to the Erdogan family. The book emphasizes the deterioration of Turkey-Russia relations and its impact on Turkey’s energy security, thanks to the Erdogan-Putin rivalry over Syria. Erdogan has been in power since 2002 (President since 2014), and is trying to convert Turkey’s political regime to remain in power for as long as possible. Appointing his son-in-law as Turkey’s Minister of Energy is not a coincidence, but rather a business strategy.