After the illegal annexation of Crimea, as well as Russia’s military campaigns in Georgia, eastern Ukraine, and most recently Syria and Libya, Turkey’s role in the Black Sea basin has considerably increased both for the regional countries and for the NATO allies. This article will focus on Turkey’s evolving stance in the region, starting with a short overview of historical preconditions, looking at the recent developments, and ending with a brief analysis of the newly emerging trends that will most likely shape Ankara’s regional policy in the mid-term future