Publication

This paper discusses how Gagauzua, an assemblage of four small, noncontiguous territories in southern Moldova, has been both a source of regional friction and a thorn in the side of Moldovans who wish to unify their country with Romania. The text’s author specifically examines 1) how Gagauzia's status is affected by sitting on top of a geopolitical fault line where Russian, Turkish and Western geopolitical interests collide; 2) the ethnic makeup of the Gagauzians and the influence which Russian speakers have on their sense of identity; 3) the influence of Turkish soft power on Gagauzia and how it collides with Moscow ‘s interests; and 4) whether the Gagauzia issue could influence the 30 October 30 2016 Moldovan presidential elections.