About the Author:

Zhang Yuyan studied Russian at the School of Foreign Languages of Lanzhou University from 2004 to 2011, where he earned both his BA and MA in Philology. From 2011 to 2015, he continued his studies at the School of Marxism of Lanzhou University and obtained a PhD in Law. In 2014, under the Chinese Government Scholarship program, he completed a research internship at the Faculty of International Relations of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Kazakhstan. Since September 2016, he has been engaged in teaching at Lanzhou University. He is currently a researcher at the Institute of Central Asian Studies and an associate professor at the School of Politics and International Relations of Lanzhou University. His primary research focus is Central Asian studies. He is the author of the monograph “Study on the 30 Years of Independence of Kyrgyzstan” (Beijing: China Social Sciences Press, 2024) and has published numerous articles in reputable domestic and international journals, including International Politics Studies, Russian Studies, International Sinology, and Perm University Herald. Political Science.

Summary:

This scholarly work examines the rise and decline of Pan-Turkism in the Eurasian region over the past century. The author traces the evolution of the Pan-Turkic idea from its ideological origins to its political, cultural, and geopolitical impact. The book analyzes how Pan-Turkism has been perceived at different historical stages from the early twentieth century to the present, identifying the conditions under which it strengthened or weakened.

The study explores the early ideological roots of Pan-Turkism, attitudes toward it during the Russian Empire and Soviet periods, and its role in the policies of post-independence Central Asian republics, Turkey, and other regional actors. It also provides an in-depth analysis of cooperation among Turkic peoples in Eurasia, regional integration processes, and the strategic significance of Pan-Turkism in contemporary international relations.

The work presents academically grounded perspectives on the cultural affinity of Turkic peoples, their shared historical heritage, and their place in modern global politics. At the same time, it critically discusses the opportunities and limitations of the Pan-Turkic idea and its real-world political manifestations. The book is intended for historians, political scientists, international relations scholars, and a broad readership interested in the history and ideological legacy of Turkic peoples.