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Reference News reported on August 15On August 9, the Saudi Arabian newspaper Arab News published an article titled "Turkey Shapes a Unique Role in the 'New Cold War' Era", written by Turkish political analyst Sinem Cengiz. The article is excerpted as follows:

After months of preparation and an unprecedented international effort involving secret and complex negotiations, the West and Russia carried out the largest prisoner swap since the Cold War in Turkey. The third-party location was kept secret until the last minute.

Anyone who has seen films depicting Cold War prisoner swaps is familiar with the scenes that made international headlines. The choice of Ankara as the location for the prisoner swap was both politically and symbolically significant. During the Cold War, prisoner swaps were typically conducted in Berlin, a city that was once divided into East and West. The choice of Turkey for the latest prisoner swap also highlights Turkey's own East-West geographic and political divisions, proving its role as a bridge between East and West rather than a wall between them.

In an increasingly polarized international system that resembles a new Cold War and involves competition between more than two actors, very few countries are able to maintain open channels of dialogue with all parties: Turkey is one of these countries. Turkey's geopolitical importance, its delicate relations with the West and Russia, and its history of mediation all played a role in facilitating this crucial prisoner exchange.

Turkey often frustrates its NATO allies by not taking a hard line against Russia, leading many to question whether Turkey is aligned with Russia or the West. The answer to this question depends on how the West or Russia views Turkey's stance. Turkey's balancing act has changed over time, sometimes allying with the West and sometimes being closer to Moscow. Energy is at the core of Turkey's relationship with the Kremlin, while NATO remains important in its relationship with the United States. Turkey wants to maintain strategic autonomy in its policies when dealing with both sides. Therefore, both the United States and Russia recognize Turkey's balancing act.