The collection of papers PANTURKISM TODAY, which was created as a result of the International Scientific Conference held on September 22, 2025 in Belgrade, provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of Pan-Turkism as one of the contemporary geopolitical ideologies with a growing influence in the Eurasian space. The papers compiled in the publication, edited by Zoran Milošević and Dajana Lazarević, shed light on Pan-Turkism not only as part of Turkish foreign policy, but also as an instrument of Western geopolitical policy for the destruction of Russia, China and Iran, as well as the return of the Balkan Slavs under Turkish rule.
What makes this collection special is its power to unite academics, professors, scientists, and even young researchers and doctoral students from 14 countries: Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, Slovenia, Greece, Cyprus, Belgium, Belarus, Russia, and Moldova.
The authors start from the thesis that Pan-Turkism is an ideology based on the ethnic and cultural homogenization of the Turkic peoples, which gives it an integrationist and ideological character, comparable to the totalitarian ideologies of the 20th century. Special emphasis is placed on the contemporary mechanisms of “soft power” that Turkey uses — media, education, culture, sports, and religion — as means to spread its influence from the Balkans to Central Asia.
Some papers specifically analyze education as a key channel for Turkey’s ideological action, given that “young professionals, educated in Turkish schools and universities, become ideologically formed bearers of Turkey’s foreign and domestic policy”. This strategy, implemented through an institutional network of foundations, universities and cultural centers, is complemented by activities in the diaspora. In the context of the Balkans, attention is paid to cultural and religious manifestations such as the Ajvatovica festivities, which are increasingly acquiring a political and identity character.
The proceedings are thematically organized through the theme Plenary Session and four other sections — Pan-Turkism as Turkey’s Policy; Pan-Turkism and Europe; Pan-Turkism and Russia; Pan-Turkism and the Balkans — and provide a valuable basis for understanding the ideological, political and cultural mechanisms behind contemporary geopolitical movements. With an interdisciplinary approach and critical distance, this publication represents a significant contribution to the study not only of Pan-Turkism, but also of broader processes of shaping new regional identities and redefining power.
