Against the backdrop of growing geopolitical instability, security issues are once again becoming one of the key factors in international politics. States are strengthening their defense capabilities, seeking new formats of cooperation, and building regional mechanisms for collaboration. What role can the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) play in these processes? How realistic is the deepening of military and military-technical cooperation among the countries of the Turkic world? Kazakh political scientist Dosym Satpayev discussed these issues in an interview with CASPIA.

— Mr. Satpayev, how does the current international environment affect the development of cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States?

— Today, the world is experiencing a period of serious geopolitical turbulence in which the factor of military power is once again gaining significance. Under these circumstances, states are compelled not only to strengthen their own defense capabilities but also to seek new forms of cooperation to counter modern threats.

This is precisely why the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is becoming an increasingly important platform for cooperation on security issues. However, it would be premature to speak about the creation of a military-political alliance. Rather, the focus is on flexible cooperation—exchange of experience, personnel training, joint exercises, development of military technologies, and the formulation of common approaches to security challenges.

The OTS is naturally progressing through stages of development. Following a period of cultural and humanitarian rapprochement and the intensification of economic cooperation, the organization is gradually moving to a new level of interaction related to security and defense. At the same time, all member states retain their own foreign policy priorities and assessments of existing threats, so cooperation is built with due regard for the interests of every participant.

Kazakhstan can play an important role in this process. The country possesses significant experience in peacekeeping activities, cooperation with international organizations, and military education. This creates favorable conditions for a more active role in developing security cooperation among OTS member states.

— Joint military exercises among Turkic states are being discussed more frequently today. How important are they, and what objectives do they serve?

— Joint military exercises carry both political and practical significance. Politically, they demonstrate the level of trust between states and their willingness to coordinate actions in times of crisis. Such exercises signal the existence of stable partnerships and the ability to respond collectively to emerging challenges.

In this context, Turkey provides a notable example. Following the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine war, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan repeatedly expressed readiness to support Kazakhstan in matters of security and territorial integrity. This served as an important indication of the strategic nature of relations between the two countries.

Joint exercises also demonstrate the practical readiness of states to coordinate efforts in the field of security. Importantly, this is not about creating an aggressive military bloc; the countries of the Turkic world are primarily interested in stability and sustainable development.

The practical value of such exercises lies in enhancing interoperability among armed forces, improving coordination between military headquarters, exchanging experience, and preparing for contemporary challenges. Unmanned technologies play a particularly important role today. In this area, Turkey and Azerbaijan are among the most successful states in the Turkic world, making their experience especially valuable for their partners.

In my view, such exercises should be conducted regularly, as the modern international environment requires closer coordination in the field of security.

— How promising do you consider the deepening of military-technical cooperation among OTS member states?

— Such cooperation is not only possible but necessary. The development of modern weapons systems requires enormous financial and technological resources, which is why even advanced states increasingly implement joint projects.

The experience of the European Union demonstrates that combining engineering, industrial, and scientific capabilities allows countries to create competitive defense systems. This approach is fully applicable to the Organization of Turkic States. Particularly promising areas include unmanned technologies, communications systems, intelligence capabilities, and electronic warfare. In these fields, Turkey already occupies a leading position globally.

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how rapidly the nature of modern warfare is changing. Drones, precision-guided weapons, digital command systems, and advanced intelligence capabilities have become key elements of military effectiveness. Consequently, the experience of states that have successfully modernized their armed forces is especially valuable. Among the countries of the Turkic world, I would primarily highlight Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan was one of the first post-Soviet states to systematically modernize its military, introduce new technologies, and adapt its defense system to contemporary requirements. Naturally, not all OTS countries face identical conditions, but the experience of Turkey and Azerbaijan shows that with sufficient political will, it is possible to build modern and effective armed forces. This experience can become an important foundation for further military-technical cooperation among OTS member states.

— What role can Kyrgyzstan play in the development of security cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States?

— Kyrgyzstan is a full-fledged member of the Organization of Turkic States and is interested in strengthening cooperation within this framework. However, it should be taken into account that Kyrgyzstan, like Kazakhstan, remains a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which imposes certain political and military-technical limitations.

Nevertheless, Bishkek has been actively diversifying its security partnerships in recent years. Kyrgyzstan is expanding its network of partners, developing cooperation with Turkey and other countries, and working to strengthen its own defense capabilities.

This approach has been significantly influenced by the experience of 2010, when Bishkek expected more active support from the CSTO during an internal crisis. That episode highlighted the importance of developing independent security mechanisms and exploring additional formats of cooperation.

In this context, the Organization of Turkic States is of considerable interest to Kyrgyzstan. It offers opportunities to expand contacts and gain access to new technologies, expertise, and modern approaches to defense. This is particularly important in light of ongoing threats related to terrorism, extremism, illicit arms trafficking, and other transnational challenges.

At the same time, positive developments are taking place within Central Asia itself. The region is gradually becoming more stable, and many contentious issues are being resolved through direct dialogue between states. A notable example is the settlement of border issues between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Similar processes can also be observed in the South Caucasus, where direct dialogue between neighboring countries is playing an increasingly important role.

All of this indicates the growing political agency of the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus. Today, they are increasingly shaping their own regional agenda and pursuing multi-vector foreign policies.

— What threats currently pose the greatest danger to Central Asia?

— The primary threat remains growing geopolitical instability. The war in Ukraine continues, tensions persist in the Middle East, and international institutions are facing a serious crisis of effectiveness. There is a growing sense that the world is passing through a transitional period toward a new international order.

At the same time, new challenges are emerging. These include climate change, the rapid development of artificial intelligence and its potential military applications, as well as the return of an arms race.

Transport corridors and logistics routes are also becoming increasingly important. Control over them is more frequently used as a tool of political and economic influence. Any threats to key transportation arteries immediately affect global trade and financial markets.

For Central Asia, water resources remain a particularly pressing issue. Water scarcity is gradually becoming one of the region’s most significant long-term challenges and requires systematic cooperation among states.

In addition, Central Asian countries must maintain a balance in relations with major neighboring powers—Russia and China. Intensifying competition among global centers of power inevitably affects the region, making it essential for states to strengthen their autonomy and their ability to protect national interests.

— Which areas of cooperation within the OTS do you consider most promising?

— One of the key areas should be military education and personnel training. Equally important is the development of peacekeeping capabilities. Participation in peacekeeping missions allows countries to accumulate practical experience, improve coordination among military structures from different states, and enhance professional standards. In the future, the creation of joint peacekeeping units could become an important indicator of the organization’s maturity.

Special attention should also be paid to unmanned technologies. At the same time, it is important to focus on areas where tangible achievements already exist. In this regard, Azerbaijan’s experience is particularly noteworthy, as it has demonstrated the effective use of modern technologies in real combat conditions.

Another important area is cybersecurity. Today, cyberspace has effectively become a separate arena of confrontation. States therefore need to develop mechanisms for exchanging expertise, technologies, and information, as well as mutual support systems in the event of cyberattacks.

The exchange of intelligence information, joint military exercises, and military-technical cooperation are equally important. The goal should not be limited to arms supplies but should also include the joint development of competitive products capable of entering global markets. The combination of these areas can serve as the foundation for long-term security cooperation among OTS member states.

— What is one of the main advantages of the Organization of Turkic States?

— One of the most important advantages of the OTS is the absence of any state seeking to dominate the organization.

In many integration frameworks, one participant effectively sets the rules for all others. Within the Organization of Turkic States, this problem does not exist. The member states act as equal partners, creating a more comfortable environment for cooperation and ensuring that the interests of all participants are taken into account.

It is precisely this principle of equality that makes the organization attractive to its members and creates favorable conditions for the further development of cooperation in security, economic affairs, and regional stability.