Turkey Leverages Bosphorus Straits as Geopolitical Leverage in Black Sea

Turkey has evolved its control over the Bosphorus and Dardanelles from a historical vulnerability into a strategic instrument, using Montreux Convention provisions to regulate naval access to the Black Sea, notably restricting Russian and NATO fleet movements during the Ukraine war. The piece underscores Ankara's growing influence over Black Sea maritime security and its balancing act between Russia and the West.