Trump’s comments on President Erdoğan as highly complimentary, calling him “a very clever man” and stating that “Turkey won” in the context of Syria’s political developments, have sparked reactions suggesting that they align with a broader narrative of glorifying Turkey’s role in recent regional shifts, most likely a possible demand for a federation with Kurdish states which are about to be born in the near future.
Everything has started developing very quickly. Both Europe and the Middle East are heading rapidly in a certain direction. Discussing who is responsible for turning our north and south into a ring of fire is a separate issue. Everyone evaluates and interprets it based on their stance. However, independently of this, there is a need to question the visible landscape by asking “quo vadis?”
In Syria, what couldn’t be achieved in 12 years has been accomplished in 10 days, throwing many off balance. We all witnessed how groups that were thought to never cooperate walked hand in hand. The ‘final tango’ in Syria revealed that even the staunchest Islamist terrorists were pursuing the same goals as Israel.
Israel, which refrained from attacking Syria until the fall of Bashar al-Assad, destroyed Syria’s entire air force overnight after the armed HTS units led by Ahmed Hussein al-Shara (Julani) entered Damascus. Al-Shara, a sharp opponent of Israel who transitioned from being labeled a ‘terrorist’ to occupying the presidential seat, went so far as to talk about establishing good relations with Israel, even as Israeli attacks continued, instead of reacting to them.
While these events were unfolding in Syria, Ankara’s officials were busy accepting congratulations from both domestic and international sources.
President Erdoğan, despite knowing HTS’s plans, tried to understand how Assad’s regime collapsed so quickly. Taking advantage of Iran being cornered and immobilized, Hezbollah’s leadership in Lebanon being eliminated, and Russia’s preoccupation with Ukraine, Israel achieved its desired outcome using Turkey—and through Turkey, HTS.
PRAISED WHEN RIGHT, LIED ABOUT WHEN WRONG
Pro-government circles are currently more enthusiastic than al-Shara/Julani and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. They believe that their leader, Erdoğan, is the conqueror of Syria. Especially after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump praised Erdoğan during an event in Palm Beach on Monday, stating, “Erdoğan is a very clever man. He’s wanted this for thousands of years and he achieved it!” and then saying, “I think Turkey won!” It made some people forget all the insulting remarks Trump previously made about Erdoğan.
Understanding the mentality of pro-government supporters isn’t easy. When someone praises their leader, they’re speaking the truth. When they criticize or insult him, it’s because they’re “jealous” or “envious.”
WESTERN LEADERS’ INTEREST EVOKES MEMORIES OF 2015
Germany’s long-time leader Angela Merkel, who led the EU for 16 years, shared important details about the Turkish government’s approach in her memoirs. Visiting Turkey 12 times during her tenure, Merkel devoted a significant portion to her meetings with Erdoğan.
On page 528, she discusses the migration crisis of 2015 in detail. As remembered, those were the days when European leaders were constantly traveling to Turkey. Describing her visit to Turkey during the deepening migration crisis, Merkel recalls being criticized for appearing in photos with Erdoğan during the election atmosphere. She explains her goal was to arrange a payment to keep the refugees in Turkey. In return, Turkey brought the visa liberalization for Turkish citizens to the table.
In the end, the EU paid Turkey a certain sum to keep the refugees there. Furthermore, under the agreement, Turkey accepted refugees involved in crimes in European countries. The visa liberalization presented to the Turkish public as a win was ultimately forgotten.
ITALIAN MAGAZINE’S MAP: A CALL FOR CELEBRATION
After Trump’s remarks, the Italian geopolitical magazine Limes published a commentary with a map titled “United States of Turkey – 2053.” The magazine claimed that Ankara had ultimately won the Syrian war and, with the fall of Damascus, the “Century of Turkey” had begun. It praised the successful diplomacy of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who reportedly told his Iranian counterpart that Turkey had no ties with the rebels, a statement the magazine likened to a scene from a second-rate Turkish comedy film.
According to the magazine’s analysis, Turkey will expand across three continents. Here are the intriguing details:
- Annexed regions (Northern Iraq and Syria),
- Confederate states (Azerbaijan, Libya, and 12 islands in the Aegean, including Rhodes),
- Satellite states (North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, and Bosnia-Herzegovina),
- Northern Cyprus,
- Extended exclusive economic zone – the “Blue Homeland,”
- Annexed islands (Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Pserimos-Kalymnos, and Crete),
- Capital – Istanbul.
Here’s the meaning of the colors used on the map, in order:
- Annexed regions,
- Confederate states,
- Satellite states,
- Northern Cyprus,
- Maritime zones,
- Annexed islands: Lesbos, Chios, Samos,
- Batnoz-Kelemez, Crete.
THINKING ON OUR BEHALF
As seen, Western countries are not just praising but also thinking on our behalf. If they’re lauding Turkey and President Erdoğan this much, it likely means they’re preparing another trap for us, like in 2015. Beştepe Palace, which has been longing for Western visitors, is now bustling with activity. One leaves, and another arrives!
Despite this, there’s considerable confusion among our ranks. Should they believe what’s being said and act accordingly, or wait and see if the trap materializes?
President Erdoğan has chosen to act rather than wait. Speaking at the TÜBA and TÜBİTAK Science Awards ceremony, he declared, “Turkey is greater than Turkey. As a nation, we cannot limit our vision to 782,000 square kilometers.”
Trump’s praise and the Italian publication’s assessment seem to have had the desired effect on Erdoğan.
INCITEMENT OF IRAN HOSTILITY
After learning Islam from the Iranians, the Turks rapidly embraced Sunnism from the Seljuks onwards, entering into competition with Iran. Since then, the states representing the two societies have never been true allies. Even when state interests aligned, the leadership of both nations perceived their interests as being in conflict.
Turkey-Iran discord is a reality. However, recently, the idea that “Iran has been Turkey’s greatest enemy throughout history” is being deliberately instilled.
Given such systematic developments, a troubling question gnaws at my mind:
Are certain powers trying to instigate a war between Turkey and Iran, exhausting both countries economically and militarily like today’s Syria, and ultimately serving them on a platter to Israel?
If those you deem enemies are glorifying you this much, there’s definitely something suspicious going on…
