International relations are undergoing a period of geopolitical turmoil that is deeply shaking the global governance system, challenging the legitimacy of international organizations, eroding the unipolar world order, intensifying hot, cold, and hybrid conflicts, and simultaneously witnessing the rise of the greater Asian continent as a key player in global affairs.
At the core of this geopolitical transformation lies a particularly contentious phenomenon: the ‘trade corridor wars,’ which have emerged in recent years as a focal point of competition among global powers.
The Atlantic-centered global system of production, consumption, and transportation/trade routes established in the aftermath of World War II has been significantly disrupted, entering a phase of fragmentation driven by intensifying geopolitical competition.
While securing a greater share of global trade and expanding strategic influence have long been key objectives for states, the launch of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013 marked a pivotal shift in international relations, elevating the concept of economic corridors to a central position in global geopolitics.
The corridors initiated under the BRI framework have increasingly drawn the attention of other countries, leading to the planning and development of new alternative corridor projects across nearly every region. This trend has given rise to a new strategic debate—referred to here as ‘corridor geopolitics’—characterized by the politicization and securitization of trade infrastructure and connectivity.
New Axis in Connectivity: Türkiye’s Development Road Project in the Context of Corridor Geopolitics
Amid intensifying global power struggles and growing instability in several regions, Türkiye’s multidimensional and multilateral foreign policy underscores its strategic geopolitical and geo-economic significance.
In this context, Ankara’s trust-based diplomacy, strategic negotiation capabilities, and win-win approach reinforce its role as a pivotal regional and global actor. As a result, key initiatives launched by Türkiye have attracted increasing international attention.
Among them, the Development Road Project stands out, aiming to provide a strategic alternative to traditional maritime routes such as the Suez Canal and to position Türkiye as a central hub in global trade.
The Development Road Project aims to integrate Iraq into the international transportation and logistics network—particularly with continental Europe—via a route starting from the Al-Faw Port, currently under construction in the Persian Gulf, with the initial phase expected to be completed by 2028.
The route will pass through key Iraqi cities such as Baghdad and Mosul before connecting to Türkiye’s extensive rail, road, air, and maritime infrastructure.
This ambitious initiative, referred to by the Iraqi government as the “Development Route” and supported by an estimated $17 billion investment, is envisioned as a strategic economic corridor. It will facilitate the bidirectional flow of goods and services between the Gulf region and Türkiye, thereby enhancing regional connectivity and economic integration.
During Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Baghdad on April 22, 2024,Türkiye, Iraq, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the “Development Road” project.
The agreement includes the construction of a 1,176-kilometer high-speed freight and passenger railway line, alongside a 1,190-kilometer highway.
Projections estimate that the Development Corridor will generate an economic impact exceeding $50 billion over a decade, with an average annual employment effect of approximately 63,000 jobs. Speaking at the Global Transportation Corridors Forum, President Erdoğan described the initiative as a “multi-dimensional development project,” emphasizing that “the biggest beneficiaries will be Turkey, our neighbor Iraq, and all the brotherly countries in our region.”
From Instability to Influence: Iraq’s Rise as a Regional Hub
The Development Corridor will play a critical role in rebuilding Iraq’s infrastructure, contributing significantly to the expansion of corridors, ports, highways, and railways. This effort will increase Iraq’s transit trade capacity, making it an important logistics hub on East-West and North-South trade routes. Large infrastructure projects also have the potential to attract foreign investment, thereby reducing unemployment rates and accelerating economic growth.
With the influx of investments and the improvement of economic conditions, Iraq—which has long been plagued by instability due to terrorism and political reasons—can once again align its geopolitical axis with the regional peace and stability agenda.
Indeed, Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani emphasized the importance of regional integration during a press conference following his visit to Türkiye, stating that “the Development Road Project represents a major opportunity to strengthen integration between Turkey and Iraq.” Iraq, which possesses significant energy resources, has struggled for many years to bring these natural resources to international markets.
The Development Road Project offers a strategic solution by enabling Iraq to access European markets—particularly those around the Mediterranean—through Türkiye, utilizing both existing but currently inactive pipelines as well as new infrastructure.
Given Europe’s ongoing energy crisis, the project is anticipated to receive a favorable response and could potentially attract European investment.
Pakistan: The Crossroads of Regional Corridors
Located at the crossroads of vital maritime and land transit routes linking the Middle East and South Asia, Pakistan also functions as a strategic bridge between the Arabian Sea and the energy-rich regions of Central Asia.
From a geostrategic standpoint, Pakistan has long been an indispensable player in regional economic and cultural corridors. Accordingly, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has not only revitalized Pakistan’s traditional economy but also significantly deepened its regional integration.
Since its official launch in 2015, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has seen significant developments in Gwadar. To date, six major projects have been completed, including the comprehensive Smart Port City Masterplan and the initial phase of the Development of Port and Free Zone.
Notable advancements have also been made with the completion of the Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute and the Gwadar Eastbay Expressway. By the end of December 2023, two additional key projects—the Pak-China Friendship Hospital and one of the planned desalination plants—were finalized, marking further milestones in Gwadar’s development under CPEC.
Considering the CPEC–Gwadar Port–Faw Port line, and more broadly within the context of a corridor stretching from China to Europe, Pakistan is poised to emerge as a key player at the center of both the Belt and Road Initiative and the Development Road Project, supported by secure and stable transportation corridors.
This route will undoubtedly contribute to increasing trade volume between Turkey and Pakistan. Currently, the trade volume between the two countries stands at approximately $1 billion, which remains low relative to their economic potential. With the Development Road connecting to new markets via Pakistan, the trade volume target of $5 billion—set by President Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif—will become more achievable.
Shifting Power, Shaping Futures: Asia’s Growing Global Influence
Arguably, the most significant transformation in international relations over the past two decades has been the profound erosion of the unipolar Atlantic-based order established in the aftermath of World War II.
As part of this shift, states across broader Asia have increasingly called for greater flexibility in the rules of the international system—rules largely shaped by Western perspectives—and for the creation of an order that reflects the interests and needs of all parties.
This demand has become especially pronounced in recent years. Türkiye, as one of the countries advocating for a more just and equitable global order, is aligning its foreign policy with both its historical legacy and geostrategic position.
Guided by a principle of active geopolitical neutrality, Turkey is navigating the evolving power dynamics with a multidimensional and pragmatic approach.
The increasing geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea—a vital transit chokepoint for trade between Europe, Asia, and Africa—have recently disrupted global supply chains. In this context, the Development Road initiative, which offers an alternative route that may ease pressure on the Red Sea, reflects Ankara’s strategic alignment with recent geopolitical dynamics.
This initiative illustrates how Turkey’s actions are attuned to the evolving needs of the new global order. Furthermore, the project signals Turkey’s intention to contribute not solely to its national interests but also to the broader prosperity of the region. Historically, as now, countries that invest in transportation infrastructure not only enhance their economic well-being but also foster cultural and scientific development.
The greater Asian continent holds significant untapped potential, which can be realized through the resolution of internal challenges based on the principles of mutual benefit and inclusive development. Such an approach would not only unlock regional capacities but also facilitate the emergence of a new geopolitical equilibrium.
This emerging reality may rightly be described as a “historical transformation,” one that aligns with the evolving dynamics of our time and region. Countries such as Türkiye, Pakistan, and Iraq—by adopting constructive rather than zero-sum rivalry—are positioning themselves as pivotal actors in shaping this evolving regional architecture, both now and in the years to come.
Mustafa Cem Koyuncu
Cem Koyuncu is an international relations and trade professional with extensive experience in business development, project management, fostering strategic partnerships, and geopolitics studies. With advanced degrees from Boğaziçi University and Karabük University, Cem regularly contributes to global media outlets, including through appearances on television channels. Cem is currently pursuing his PhD, focusing on in-depth geopolitical and geostrategic research across the Greater Asia, Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Mediterranean regions.
