2026 Agenda: Regional Cooperation and the Azem Counter-Terrorism Centre

Atatürk's understanding of nationalism and his vision were not to exploit Turks outside the borders for adventurous policies, but to build a natural sphere of influence integrated with the homeland by strengthening cultural ties with them. Reflecting this vision onto the Syrian arena in 2026 requires positioning the Syrian Turkmen (Bayırbucak, Aleppo, Homs) as ‘cultural and strategic strongholds’ and pursuing a Syria policy coordinated with the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS).

When combined with the military realities on the ground, this perspective dictates that Turkey's Syria policy must evolve into a comprehensive strategy encompassing not only security but also political, commercial, cultural, and diplomatic dimensions. As of the first month of 2026, Syria continues to be frequently mentioned as a hotbed of conflict. First and foremost, the western and then eastern banks of the Euphrates must be cleared of separatist PKK/YPG elements, particularly in the Sheikh Maksud and Ashrafiya neighbourhoods of Aleppo. A permanent security belt must be established in southern Turkey, and the integration processes of ‘separatist’ structures within Syria must be completed within the framework of respect for Syria's territorial integrity along the Ankara-Damascus axis. Thus, as Syria transitions from a phase of hot conflict to a period of ‘institutionalisation and reconstruction,’ it is imperative that we focus on neutralising the political and military presence of the PKK/YPG, which poses a fundamental threat to Turkey, maintaining the fragile balance in Idlib, and ensuring the safe return of refugees in our country to their homeland.

The Strategic Importance of Syrian Turkmen

The Turkish presence in Syria is Anatolia's outpost within Syria.

The Bayırbucak and Latakia line is the onshore continuation of Turkey's security belt in the Mediterranean. The Aleppo and Çobanbey line, on the other hand, serves as a commercial and cultural bridge between Turkey and the Arab world. The dilution of the Turkmen population in these areas and allowing developments in this direction would carry the risk of severing the historical ties between the Turkic world and the Middle East. If Syria's territorial integrity cannot be preserved and the region is gradually dragged towards irreversible fragmentation, it is an immutable policy for Ankara to take steps to guarantee the security of our Turkmen brothers and sisters in the region, in accordance with Turkey's historical and cultural responsibility. In the event of Syria's fragmentation, the establishment of a Turkmen Republic stretching from Latakia to Tel Abyad would both strengthen Turkey's Mediterranean security and pave the way for the creation of a friendly and brotherly buffer zone on its southern border. This argument should remain an option before us in line with possible developments, and Ankara must be prepared to support it when necessary, especially as a strategic necessity in the spirit of the Misak-ı Milli.

Cultural and Diplomatic Approach

As exemplified by the Sadabad and Balkan Pacts established in the past, bringing the Syrian issue to the agenda of the Organisation of Turkic States and having Turkic states assume observer or guarantor roles in Syria's reconstruction process will pave the way for arguments that could transform the issue from a potential bilateral crisis point into a model of regional solidarity.

Military Doctrine: Complete Elimination Beyond the Border

The fundamental principle applicable in the field is to eliminate the threat at its source. In accordance with the understanding that ‘the border is honour,’ it is essential that any structures posing a threat to Turkey are not waited for behind the border but are neutralised beyond the border through pre-emptive proactive steps based on the concept of area dominance and continuous attack.

An approach reminiscent of Atatürk's determination in the Hatay issue against the SDG/PKK structure should be supported by an approach of unhesitating intervention when necessary. These structures, which gain strength through irregular warfare methods, must be neutralised through a professional and continuous pressure-based ‘find and destroy’ strategy.

Azem Counter-Terrorism Centre

The establishment of a structure similar to the ‘Azem Counter-Terrorism Centre’ between Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria should be considered. Why Azem? Because, just like the Sadabat Pact, a regional cooperation and non-aggression agreement signed in 1937 at the Sadabat Palace in Tehran between Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan (Sadabat Pact) signed in 1937 at the Sadabat Palace in Tehran. I believe that it would be appropriate to use the Azem Palace in Damascus, the capital of Syria, which dates back to the Ottoman Empire, as the venue for signing the proposed pact.

There is a necessity for the intelligence gathered in the context of counter-terrorism among these countries to be shared in real-time within a mutual mechanism. Again, within the framework of jointly securing border crossings, ‘joint security patrols’ should be established, and it may be possible to prevent the high-profile foreign military structures (CENTCOM, etc.) in the region from taking/potentially taking steps to stir up trouble in the countries under the pretext of ‘providing security’ for the region. Rather than injecting the will to combat terrorism from outside the region, presenting it through the Azem Counter-Terrorism Centre through the joint efforts of these four countries will result in regional dynamics remaining under the control of these four countries and may prevent external interventions.

Ankara is pursuing a policy that recognises that the ‘terror-free Turkey’ initiative is directly linked to external factors as well as internal dynamics. While the US's organic link with the SDF is an imposed reality on the ground, it is not an immutable reality. The card of fighting ISIS must be taken from the SDF without delay. If these four countries form a joint military force to operate under the proposed pact when necessary and pursue a strategy of jointly combating all terrorist nests, including ISIS and the YPG, and eliminating them at their source, they will be able to take the initiative from the US and Russia and begin to project their own will on the ground.

In this context, Turkey's leadership in this process and the transfer of the expertise accumulated at the Partnership for Peace Counter-Terrorism Centre in Ankara to the Azem initiative will enable regional cooperation to be built on a solid foundation. The goal is regional stability that is not divided, but free from terrorism and stamped with Turkish influence.