Until very recently, China had mainly maintained a neutral stance toward political developments in other countries. However, this approach has shifted as Beijing has begun to manifest its hard power and exert more influence in regional and international politics, especially after the successful mediation by China between Saudi Arabia and Iran. It is a clear indication of the growing Chinese political effectiveness. Moreover, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Moscow exemplifies this change in perspective on world politics. The visit was historic since it shed light on an alternative discourse surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The latest issue of Insight Turkey, 'The Struggle over Central Asia: Chinese-Russian Rivalry and Turkey’s Comeback,' focuses on different topics including the latest developments in Central Asia, which has high potential but came under the spotlight only in recent years and also the highly important general and presidential June 24, 2018 elections in Turkey.