If a political leader doesn’t care about becoming isolated in the eyes of global power centers, elites and the world in general, is capable of bravely voicing this indifference on every platform and furthermore voices issues that makes the power elite uncomfortable, then this indicates a self-confidence rarely seen anywhere in the world and something we are certainly not used to in Turkey.
It is not just an expression of self-confidence, but the path of struggle adopted by a leader who has trust in his country, nation and its history and who feeds off its strength and diversity. It is the path adopted by a leader who dreams of a future based on that collective experience, has a vision, takes steps to attain it in cooperation with the nation, and who, relying on his deep historical understanding, places a roadmap in front of the country and nation.
This is a difficult struggle. It is difficult to rid a society of the impositions made on it for a century; impositions which subdued it, terrified it, blinded it, took its mind captive and slaughtered it. It is difficult to bring that society back to its feet, spur it into action, make it rally around a cause, and generate a societal tide that will put an end to a century-long chapter by asking questions. In a country run by tutelage, it is difficult to neutralize and free all the centers of tutelage, make them local, and stand strong in the face of a ruthless war being carried out against this struggle both domestically and abroad.
A NEW SOCIETAL CONTRACT AND MEEK FOLLOWERS OF TUTELAGE…
This struggle is not the struggle of a political party. It is not a domestic power struggle. It is not a settling of scores based on conjecture. This is a struggle to destroy the status quo established after World War I. It is the issuing of a challenge. It is the transformation of the country and society, and pointing it in the right direction. A new societal contract, a new contract of foundation means taking the country beyond the borders of a nation-state and presenting new horizons to a country that has been confined within the borders of Anatolia.
This is the toughest war. It means resisting the most ruthless attacks. It is a kind of independence struggle. In this aspect it is a renewed war of liberation for the building of a new country. This is a mental struggle for freedom. This struggle is not just directed against the meek followers of tutelage in the country, the decades-old rusted and outdated power structures and those who can’t overcome their Cold War-era fears, but against every country and power that is wary of Turkey rediscovering itself.
This is why it seems like an unspoken alliance exists to prevent Turkey’s rise, just like the one that existed during the WW I era. A sly and extremely destructive operation is being carried out to prevent Turkey’s rise, its coming to prominence, its rediscovering of itself, its freeing of itself and creating a voice for itself and the region.
A war is being waged against Turkey to put it in its place, twist its arm, and make it bow its head. Every step taken for the good of this country and to create a common future with its neighbors is opposed with rage and attempts are made to suffocate Turkey by spurring domestic circles that are under orders into action.
Turkey has had its history frozen ever since WW I. It is a history based on protecting what it has, not incurring further losses, not opposing tutelage despite being aware of it, and one that is founded on fear and timidity.
NEW WAR OF LIBERATION AFTER A CENTURY
We are a country that exactly a century after the start of WW I, when the only political authority in the region was torn to shreds, and exactly after a century filled with fear and patience, is trying to extract itself from this gap created in political history. Thankfully, while trying to extricate ourselves from this historical gap we don’t have cadres under tutelage but a leadership, cadre and societal support that are aware of and have an understanding of this political showdown.
This is the only miracle that has come our way ever since the founding of the Republic of Turkey. This miracle is the building of a new Turkey. The miracle is the restructuring of the state, preparing the system for a new era, reviving the collective memory and resetting into motion the wheels of Turkey’s mission to make history. This is why what we are witnessing is New Turkey’s war of liberation.
This is why the war is so fierce. This is why the elements of global tutelage are so aggressive in their attempts to ensure Turkey doesn’t slip from their grasp. This is why they seek to punish the cadres transforming Turkey, as well as the societal base that supports it and the country itself. This is why scenarios similar to the one of Dec. 17, 2013 are being implemented.
HISTORY-MAKING LEADERSHIP
There is no contribution to be made to Turkey during this period of great transformation by those whose words, policies and actions have a lifespan that lasts no longer than a week. What kind of Turkey can they lead when they haven’t even managed to free themselves of the language of tutelage and develop one of their own?
This is how President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan responded to claims that he was becoming “isolated” during the return journey from Mexico: “I don’t care about becoming isolated in the eyes of the world. What matters to us is the public. There is no isolation in the eyes of the people; that only exists in the eyes of the leaders. The people embrace us. It might exist among leaders but that is nothing more than jealousy.”
This is a striking indicator of the history-making role of a man who says, “I will continue the struggle even if I am left on my own” and “a revolution took place via the ballot box.”
As history, the country and our mentality changes, we need leaders who don’t tremble in fear, who don’t mince words and who don’t hold back in their remarks. Erdoğan is that kind of leader even if there are some who can’t stomach it. He is a man who transformed Turkey. This is what history will state. This tradition started by him will open doors for new leaders and guide new political cadres. We will see new and successful political personalities from amid the young generation emerge in Turkey in the coming years.
Anyone who distances themselves from short-term quarrels and looks at what is happening in Turkey from the outside will see this reality, regardless of whether they agree with it or not. Such a fierce battle is being conducted because it is always others that are looking in from the outside.
A MAN EMERGES TO DISRUPT THAT COMFORT ZONE
Remember that the reason behind this narrative of isolation is to be loyal to one’s roots, leave a mark and make history. It is only history-making societies and leaders that change the world, not those who favor the status quo, who are timid and seek to protect their own interests.
Those that see Erdoğan and Turkey as an enemy fear Turkey’s structure, which can upset the apple cart. The history of the past century has put them in such a comfort zone that they are convinced that they can anesthetize nations to the extent that they won’t awaken again.
And then along comes such a man who awakens a country and disrupts that comfort zone. Those who are removed from their comfort zones make him the enemy. Those who are natives, who belong to this country, who love this country and those who have no ulterior motives other than the best interests of the country and nation have no reason to be uncomfortable.
Beware and never allow your minds to become befuddled, your dreams to be extinguished and your hopes to be destroyed!
