Russia’s Geography Problem: An Eternal Strategic Struggle
By Sedat Laciner History makes one thing clear: geography is destiny—especially for Russia. For centuries, Russia’s strategic ambitions have been shaped by its vast landmass, its relative isolation from warm-water ports, and its constant insecurity over territorial vulnerability. Nowhere is this more evident than in its historic confrontations with the Ottoman Empire. From the Crimea to the Caucasus, Russian armies once surged southward, even reaching the gates of Istanbul. The conquest of Kars and the push toward the Bosphorus and Dardanelles were not isolated maneuvers, but parts of a centuries-long struggle for access to warm seas and maritime dominance. Had Russia ever managed to control Anatolia and secure access to the Mediterranean via the Turkish Straits, it might have permanently altered the global balance of power. This unfulfilled strategic dream continues to haunt the Kremlin. Indeed, it is not a temporary ambition, but a recurring goal—one that seems poised to endure for a...