A few months ago, there was generally a negative attitude in world media toward Turkey. Negative approaches toward Turkey with the influence of the U.S. and some European countries was in the forefront, especially in the media. The reflection of the global economic attack also led various groups to get everything they had against Turkey off their chests and bombarded it with criticisms in every area - primarily human rights and its economic state of affairs.
Yet, in the last six months Turkey had become one of the most powerful states in the region and made an impression with its economic and political stability. Our country, which was one of the world's silent states until two decades ago, had started to gain visibility in numerous countries: Latin America, Africa and the Far East.
Despite being a loyal NATO ally, despite its developing economy, it was kept waiting at Europe's border gates. The political instability in countries such as Italy and the Netherlands, the economic collapse in Spain, the U.K. and Greece had "skipped" Turkey. The country's goodwill toward Europe never received a response; it was always turned back empty-handed from the doors of the European Union which it wanted to join.
Though Turkey was criticized with respect to matters such as freedom in the press, human rights, it did a lot better than France and the U.S. Western countries that confuse supporting a terrorist organization with the journalist identity have always preferred to take a different path concerning Turkey's sensitivities.
Turkey did not turn toward Middle Eastern countries based on Europe's contrary approach - as it is claimed by some. The relations built with Middle Eastern states was aimed more toward remembering the historical and geographical background. Relations that had long been pushed to the background started to be normalized with the rule of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), and the historical and geographical remembrance gained reality.
One of the most constructive policies when the Arab Spring started came from Turkey, with a call for a people-centered change before political changes. This is why South Africa and Turkey were the only ones that opposed the France-led operation against Libya. The biggest resistance against the coup in Egypt was again from Turkey; while German Chancellor Angela Merkel was excited to pose with coup-plotter Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan objected to even sitting at the same table with him in the U.S.
It has now started to be understood that the requirements of historical background are in the forefront in Turkey's policies rather than short-term interests. The reality is that this requirement is based on a people-centered policy. It is seen that the most important constancy in Turkey's Syria policy is a sustainable humanitarian policy.
Turkey's priority since Syria's civil war is to end the presence of terrorist organizations in the region. However, initially, the approach could not be understood by the U.S. and other global powers. While a made-up terrorist organization was the priority for the West and Russia, Turkey made no distinction between terrorist organizations. The al-Bab and Afrin operations are the most obvious examples of this reality policy.
The four-nation summit hosted by President Erdoğan, with German, French and Russian sides in attendance, is proof that the humanitarian policy Turkey has been following from the very beginning is the most important solution for peace and stability. The primary emphasis in the press conference held by the leaders following the summit was that Syrians have to build their future themselves.
Turkey opening its arms to more than 3.5 million Syrians is finally going to have a response and the humanitarian policy is going to supersede all other profit policies. The U.S. will be given the chance to accept this new situation rather than be convinced. Because, similar to Germany, France and Russia, the U.S. will also have to comprehend the reason behind Turkey's presence in Syria.
Turkey's second recent significant achievement is its attitude in Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder. Adopting an attitude that prioritizes human life, it did not approach the Khashoggi murder with economic interests in sight - as claimed by the opposition party's leader. At a time when even the U.S. has stated they will not ruin their economic interests with the Saudi administration upon first rumors of the murder, Turkey displayed a determined attitude and continued to transparently share details of the investigation. Turkey mentioned the reality that the murder could have been perpetrated by the Saudis and put in great effort and time to reveal the truth. The fact that Turkey's suspicions and accusations were right could finally be understood by certain media outlets that long held negative views of the country.
Turkey is continuing its people-centered foreign policy despite the fact that this may sour ties with the Saudi administration and its partners in the gulf. While Germany and France only recently started raising their voices for the sake of preserving relations with Saudi Arabia, which they consider to be their most important weapon sales, Turkey's steadfastness can be distinguished by the world media too now.
While the U.S. and its allies chose to keep silent and are trying to somehow hide the brutal killing by the Saudis, Turkey is making great efforts to reveal the truth. Even though it has been almost a month since the murder, the U.S. and other states doing business in cooperation with Saudi Arabia did not do anything other than make statements. Turkey's efforts can be seen by all. These days, the world public is also aware of this fact.
Turkey, the sole country in the region to defend human rights, is playing a role that states proud truths with its people-centered policy. However, this path will also lead to risks. Those who have relations based on interests, primarily the U.S., with countries in the region, will be disturbed by Turkey's said role and try everything to prevent and stop it from achieving success. But whatever they do, a people-centered policy will win.
