Istanbul: Trkiye and the wider Near East are not only the cradle of civilization but also the birthplace of world order itself, a prominent scholar of international relations has said, highlighting the world’s first documented peace treaty signed in the 13th century.

According to TRTworld.com, Amitav Acharya, a distinguished professor and UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance at American University in Washington, DC, talked to TRT World exclusively on the sidelines of the 9th TRT World Forum in Istanbul. Speaking against the backdrop of the Forum’s theme – The Global Reset: From the Old Order to New Realities – Acharya explained that this region gave the world its earliest principles of diplomacy, cooperation, and peace – the very foundations of today’s global governance.

He pointed out that even the idea of great power cooperation predates modern international institutions. The five great powers of the ancient Near East – Egypt, Hatti, Mitanni, Assyria, and Babylon – managed peaceful relations for about two centuries. In that sense, this region laid the foundations for collective security and diplomacy long before Europe.

Acharya noted that Trkiye’s contemporary diplomatic activism reflects a deeper continuity with this civilizational legacy. Trkiye’s efforts in mediating between Russia and Ukraine, and its outreach to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, are seen as a continuation of its historical connections with these regions.

During the forum, Acharya’s idea of a multiplex world drew special attention. He argued that traditional notions of multipolarity are too narrow and Eurocentric. In the 19th century, multipolarity meant having several great powers that determined the fate of others, but today’s world is influenced by technology, ideas, corporations, and non-state actors.

Reflecting on recent global shifts, Acharya cautioned against the idea of a new US-China G2. He described the current era as one of asymmetric power distribution, with various countries and actors shaping a decentralized global landscape. Acharya warned of the consequences of US disengagement from multilateral institutions and emphasized the importance of a cooperative spirit in shaping a new world order.