Energy Security and Strategic Realignment: Azerbaijan–Türkiye Cooperation in an Era of Global Uncertainty

The evolving uncertainty in the global order presents significant challenges for mid-sized powers trying to navigate major power competition. The recent geopolitical crises, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and US sanctions, has elevated energy security to a core issue of national security. The evolving energy partnership between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, on the other hand, is a significant example of how energy can play a role for regional diplomacy rather than conflict escalation. Both countries chose strategic realignment in response to shifting U.S.–Russia relations, European energy diversification efforts, and regional security transformations. Our paper examines the role of energy security as both a driver and an outcome of deepening Azerbaijan–Türkiye ties in an era of global uncertainty. We argue that the deepening cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, specifically in large-scale infrastructure projects such as TANAP and the Southern Gas Corridor, has not only strengthened bilateral ties but has also positioned both states as critical actors in the global energy architecture. Türkiye’s ambition to become a regional energy hub overlaps with Azerbaijan’s role as a reliable supplier. This helps creating a functional interdependence that reshapes regional power dynamics. In this chapter, we examine how pipeline diplomacy allows Azerbaijan and Türkiye to exercise influence beyond their immediate neighborhoods, shaping relations with the EU, NATO, and alternative regional blocs like the Organization of Turkic States. Moreover, the paper explores how these energy linkages serve as a buffer against external shocks, such as sanctions, supply disruptions, or military tensions. By placing energy cooperation at the heart of Türkiye–Azerbaijan relations, we shed light on how energy cooperation is not used merely for economic gain, but as tools of strategic positioning in a volatile international system. Our findings speak to broader debates on energy security, regional resilience, and the agency of non-hegemonic powers in shaping global governance.

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