ABSTRACT
This chapter situates Turkey geographically between regions and politically and economically as an energy importer and transit country vulnerable to energy trends. It explains how Turkey's strategic position and role as an importer and taker of energy trends impacts upon and is impacted by domestic and regional politics and focuses on the liability and opportunity of natural gas as a strategic challenge. Turkish officials champion Turkey's role "in between" and its aspirations to play a regional energy and global political leadership role. As a growing importer in an unpredictable region and an energy price taker in a volatile global market, Turkey is impacted by global energy trends, namely energy prices, rising demand growth, and potential regional energy trade. The chapter concludes that Turkey's desire for regional energy leadership and emphasis on growth is vulnerable to external energy developments even as domestic politics complicate the goals.
