The 21st century is one of settling accounts.

It is a century of challenging and breaking away from the 19th century, marked by decline, and the 20th, marked by tutelage. It is a century to strive for freedom, resurrection, self awareness and being true to one's roots within this region.

It is a century that will be decisive for this central region of the planet, termed the “region of chaos," and the resultant impact will be felt from the shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is a century that will finally see an end to the continued impacts of WW I, the redrawing of the maps of power and the reshaping of the maps of political stability globally.

This century will witness a new period of movement and ascent not seen since the dismantling of Ottoman political authority.

This region faced three major shockwaves in the last 1,000 years: The crusades, the Mongolian invasion and WW I, which resulted in the dismantling of the Ottoman Empire.

Three major shocks, three major ascents

A major collapse, hopelessness and a downward slide were witnessed in the wake of each of these three major tremors. However, much stronger ascents were witnessed in the immediate aftermath of two of these major shock waves.

Is there any need for a reminder that both these ascents emanated from Anatolia and spread throughout the region in gradual waves, transforming the region, deemed as crushed, into a center of power and the ability to draw global interest?

We are currently paying the price of the third shock wave. We are experiencing the pain of hopelessness, insecurity, burnout and oppression. We continue to experience the impact of mental slavery arising from a lack of identity and political tutelage that continued throughout the 20th century even after the end of WW I.

We are just beginning to realize how our memories were erased and our minds formatted in a way that we consider the Suez Canal war, the wars in Yemen and Gaza, and the Kut Al Amara victory-- which all occurred less than a century ago -- as events that occurred hundreds of years ago.

We are just now beginning to rediscover our selves, our past, our region and our identity.

The struggle is as massive as WW I

These are the signs of an awakening following the latest shock wave. Just like it happened after the chaos of the first two times, the awakening following the third shock is also commencing in these lands. We are just beginning to learn how to reject tutelage, and the perceptions of identity, nation, country, history and region that were formatted by this tutelage.

We find ourselves settling old accounts as we learn, realize and comprehend this. It is impossible for Anatolia and this region to be free without going through this showdown. It is not just us -- but all those that will be part of this showdown -- who know very well that following this settling of accounts we will enter the third period of major ascent.

That is why our struggle is just as vital as that of WW I. The central powers that formed a single front against us back then, are a single front now as well. Do not be deceived that some of them are allies and strategic partners; they are all on alert regarding the awakening of Turkey and the region.

The problems Turkey finds itself faced with and the constant crises it has to deal with, is an extension of this process of settling accounts. This state of affairs will continue.

This reality is difficult to comprehend for those that analyze all this as a daily power struggle. This is a road determined by destiny. You will be forced along this road even if you do not want to, because of history and the situation the world finds itself in. We will be forced along this road, even if we are not keen to do so, because of the feeling of resentment created by the attempt to deprive Turkey of its identity and collective memory, and the anguish-laden history of the region.

We are faced with two choices. Either we continue under the tutelage of the 20th century or break these chains. If we are content with this tutelage then Turkey will shrink and drown in ethnic and identity-based conflicts. If we break these chains and create a conscience of emancipation, we will know how to overcome these crises.

There is no way they are native to these lands!

Turkey, along with the masses in the region it finds itself at the center of, prefer the second option. The choice is that of moving toward an honorable future through advancement and getting rid of the tutelage regime. We possess a serious accumulation and wealth of knowledge to show us the way forward. We need to succeed with a Seljuk-style integration in order to negate global strategies that promote a disconnect, and end the conflict among the four ethnic elements present in the region.

We can only stand up to the century-old strategies of creating a disconnect, which keep us in the grip of tutelage, by reversing the winds and looking at integration, where different identities are considered a source of wealth.

We also need to be capable of having the foresight to see the position taken up by various actors when it comes to this showdown. Those that adopt a role in trying to bring to a halt this great struggle due to ethnic, religious and political reasons, combined with a narrow vision seeking to attain power, are betraying Turkey, the region and history.

Those that cannot understand and grasp this great march should just flounder where they are. However, those that are aware of this, and yet try to pursue the narrow goals of their circles, organizations and communities by creating obstructions, are the enemies of this great action and national struggle.

There is no way they are native to these lands. They have rendered hostage their souls, personalities and consciences.

We have now learned not to fear

History has turned a page, the wind has changed direction and various segments have adopted a common language. It won't be possible to oppose this trend. Those circles that do so will be washed away, having left only betrayal in their wake.

Some sentences interspersed in President Tayyip Erdoğan's speech yesterday also pointed to a deep historical and regional struggle. This was a pointer to the showdown of a century.

For those that can comprehend it, modifiers like WW I, geographical borders, the maps embroidered into our minds, betrayal, and Lawrence of Arabia, represent many things. Erdoğan's phrase “Turkey 100 years from now" is the sole fear of those that have declared war on us domestically and externally.

But we have now learned not to fear!