If we fell asleep, we die

What is happening today in Syria and the blue waters of the Eastern Mediterranean is too big to fit on newspaper front pages; it is the reflection of at least a century-old strategy in the present day. In this vast geography stretching from Cyprus to Crete, not only border lines but also the common destiny of humanity and the energy map are being redrawn. We have witnessed how Israel, backed by a global power like the United States that has established its hegemony, has spread terror and horror not only by burning and destroying the lands of Gaza, but also in Lebanon, southwestern Syria, Yemen, and even in distant Iran. We have also seen that other major global powers, such as the Russian Federation and China, which advocate multipolarity, are merely trying to make their feeble voices heard, but are in any case preoccupied with maximising their own interests. We know that Cyprus's importance on this small chessboard stretching from Tehran to Malta in Turkey's immediate neighbourhood means that the power controlling this strategic island will also have the power to make the decisive move when necessary. We are experiencing how the wind blowing in the streets of Aleppo can cause a storm in Haseki. Developments that spell the end of Syria's future, its territorial integrity, and the takeover of all the resources of the Syrian people by a terrorist organisation such as the YPG are seen as progress that positively affects the future and security of the Turkish people living in Anatolia, which is quite appropriate.

In any case, there is a bitter truth unique to our region: no matter who comes to power in the Arab world, political freedom remains an illusion unless economic independence is achieved in those lands. Our reading of history tells us that the rhetoric of ‘democracy’ and ‘human rights’ used by imperial Western powers ends where their own interests end. As Robert Fisk emphasises, as long as the wheels of the Western system turn in a way that serves their own interests, there is no problem or wrongdoing in Western countries cooperating with oppressive regimes. However, the rights ultimately gained by peoples who want to determine their own destiny and, in this sense, assert their will, raising the banner of struggle against oppressive and Western-collaborating regimes in their own countries, are considered positive if they do not undermine the framework of global financial capital. Otherwise, as seen in the events preceding the change of power in Egypt in 2013 and the overthrow of the Mursi government, which came to power through elections, developments in the countries of the region are only accepted to the extent that they do not harm Western interests. and they see no problem in imposing limits on the expression of will by the people living in those countries to determine their own future if this limit is exceeded. I believe that developments in Iran from 28 December 2025 to the present day should be read in this sense, in terms of Trump's red lines. The problem is not the regime itself, but the fact that the regime is now threatening to undermine Western interests. It is true that the current Mullah regime in Tehran sees no problem in using ruthless violence against its own people, branding them as ‘terrorists’ in the streets and executing them in order to establish the security of its own regime. According to official figures, the deaths of more than 3,000 people (around 20,000 according to some) do not shake the regime, which continues to turn a deaf ear to the demands of its own people. On the other hand, I believe that a Western world that makes the regime's existence conditional on giving up its nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and support for proxy forces will be ready to dismiss even the legitimate demands of the Iranian people as unjust if an agreement is reached on these issues, particularly on limiting ballistic missile production.

As a result of possible progress, factors such as the high cost of living in Iran, where the economy is in disarray, the decline in the purchasing power of the people, and the unbearable situation may continue to be seen as Iran's internal problem, and the West may continue to turn a deaf ear to street demonstrations. At this point, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's words, ‘Complete independence is only possible with economic independence,’ come to mind.

We would like to see a modern state system established in Iran, rather than a religious regime. We would like to see democracy come to life in a way that truly represents the voice of the people. We hope that this will be the case not only for Iranians but for all citizens of the Middle Eastern countries. The sectarian wars that the Middle East has fallen into today must come to an end; religion should not be used as an ideological shield for these countries. In this context, I believe that the secular understanding that separates faith from state affairs, if it takes root throughout the Middle East, is the only glue that can hold the people of this region together in peace.

Our unity in these lands is like the famous Kütahya porcelain. Every brushstroke, every colour and every motif on Kütahya porcelain represents a different story, a different culture. But the mortar that bakes that tile in the kiln and holds it together, giving it its magnificent brilliance and unshakeable strength, is the will of Liberation that we achieved under Atatürk's leadership and the will of Foundation that we rallied around afterwards. This is the Turkish nation's only path to modernisation and enlightenment. As long as we continue to progress along this path, the mortar that holds us together becomes a ‘mortar of passion.’ But if the opposite happens, that elegant tile will be shattered, the patterns will become jumbled, and the earth will crumble into pieces.
The West sees the Middle East as nothing more than an oil well to be plundered. When they entered the Baghdad Museum like pottery thieves during the 2003 American invasion, those who looted it were not even aware that they were destroying their own cultural roots. Yet these lands were the common history and starting point of all humanity, from Greco-Roman culture to Islamic civilisation. The US and its allies, who lead wars that destroy and fragment every country they enter in pursuit of control over energy resources, leaving millions homeless without a second thought, will leave without looking back when the oil and natural gas in this region runs out one day. It is then that a new power will come to the people of the region, enabling them to build a Babylonian paradise that no one can hinder, for the true rebirth of a Middle Eastern civilisation.

Turkey, a geographical part of the Middle East, embarked on a journey after its liberation and founding to internalise the positive aspects of Western civilisation. I believe we all need to better understand how valuable this journey was when we look at the developments unfolding today in Syria, yesterday in Iraq and Egypt, and tomorrow in Iran.

In fact, Turkey's experience of making secularism and democratic state governance possible for a population where the majority are Muslim should be seen as a guide and exemplary practice for all Middle Eastern countries.

On the other hand, if one day we become complacent and fail to continue our march along our path of enlightenment in line with this fundamental principle, if we falter, or worse, if we fall asleep, know this, O Turk: we will die, we will scatter and disappear. Therefore, we must view every crisis, conflict, and war in the Middle East that leaves the people of the region homeless and displaced as a warning and a caution for ourselves. We must hold on to the foundations of the order built by our ancestors with the Republic, add bricks to it, and see those who place dynamite at our foundations. You know that if we cannot see, if we sleep, we will die.