‘Mongolia’s geopolitical dilemma is simple but profound. To the south lies China, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion. To the north lies Russia, with approximately 140 million inhabitants. Mongolia’s population is tiny in comparison, and its economy remains heavily dependent on trade with its neighbours.’

‘Defence cooperation among the Turkic states has gained greater impetus than before, and the Organization of Turkic States has itself become an increasingly important platform for these endeavours.’

‘In response, the European Union turned to a crucial partner on its south-eastern flank: Türkiye. The result was the EU–Türkiye Statement of March 2016, an agreement designed to curb irregular migration…A decade later, the deal has profoundly reshaped migration management in the region, turning Türkiye into what many analysts describe as Europe’s gatekeeper.’