Urban Alliances Beyond Borders: Istanbul-Berlin City Diplomacy

Executive Summary

In the age of globalization, cities are increasingly behaving as semi-autonomous actors tackling global challenges through diplomatic action. This analysis explores city diplomacy between Istanbul and Berlin, highlighting how these cities maintain and deepen transnational cooperation despite national tensions. The Istanbul–Berlin partnership functions not merely as a diplomatic backchannel but as a laboratory for innovative, value-driven urban governance, demonstrating how cities can advance sustainable develop- ment while challenging national limitations. Istanbul’s approach to city diplomacy is strategic and multilay- ered, utilizing global networks and bilateral partnerships. Berlin’s diplomacy, benefiting from Germany’s federal system, blends technical cooperation with normative agendas. Supported by third-party actors, the partnership demonstrates how city diplomacy can function as a channel of international engagement even when national frameworks falter, providing a compelling model of urban resilience and agency.