I would say we are stuck in the most depressing and heaviest fog Belgrade has experienced in the past several years. While we were walking by the Sava River, our visibility range was no more than 5 meters. We are witnessing how Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu's official visit to Serbia is facing difficulties due to the mist that has covered both the city and politics.
Davutoğlu wants to go from Belgrade to Sanchez and bring together the Serbian and Bosnian prime ministers. Yet, the fog prevents this. Helicopters cannot launch, planes cannot land and no form of transportation is available. Despite the negative conditions, the teams did everything possible to actualize the meetings. Yet, it did not happen.
The Balkans is like Prime Minister Davutoğlu's dissertation, he knows every detail and explains them thoroughly. While he shares this excitement, our mind is on the Russian crisis, on Syria and the west of the Euphrates, and on the constitution talks. I unavoidably interrupt to ask a question, as we have limited time.
I ask him about the digital revolution and cyber wars, especially the cyberattacks that we have experienced in the past few days, which have been haunting my dreams. With a smile and sweet reproach in his voice he says, “Yes, I know Turkey's agenda is different, you are right for asking these questions.”
The fog, mist, cold, confusion and uncertainty in the air of Serbia is actually surrounding Turkey too.
“Yes, we are under a cyberattack, but we are taking necessary precautions and will continue to do so,” said the prime minister. It is not clear who carried out the cyberattacks. Was it Russia or Iran? Who are these attackers serving? The mist in the air is covering all these answers...
It is unclear to whom the forces that moved into the west of the Euphrates belong. Are they a part of the Democratic Union Party (PYD)/PKK? Or do they belong to a group, including the Arabs, close to Turkey?
Who are the Syrian Democratic Forces? The answers to these questions are all covered with fog. Well, what will happen if these forces move in to Jarabulus soon? Everything is uncertain.
The HDP's political suicide.
The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) is going through a very critical period and making non-intellectual statements. It is talking about self-rule and a Kurdistan. It is supporting the ditches, the terrorists killing police officers with the statements it makes. It is committing political suicide. Who is encouraging them? What kind of an adventure are they dragging the people into? This does not make sense in the fog, mist and storm in the air.
Davutoğlu will start the new constitution meetings today. The first meeting will be with the Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Davutoğlu has been working on this for a long time. He reminds us that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) attempted a new constitution three times previously, yet was not successful due to the attitude adopted by the opposition. This will be the fourth attempt.
There are a few scenarios. The most import one is: He will be saying, “If you too are not happy with a constitution made by a military coup, then tell us how we should go about making the new constitution, and determine the method to be used.” He will continue, “Here is an opportunity for you to change the spirit of the constitution and make it more democratic and libertarian.”
It is not clear how it will be possible to change the constitution amid this chaotic and foggy atmosphere. Kılıçdaroğlu says he will “explain the context of the discussions.” He is not saying anything about the PKK or its ditches. And he has been protecting the Middle Eastern Technical University (METU) vandals. It seems that he is busy fanning the fire burning the country, instead of trying to put it out. Is the CHP really supporting the new constitution? Why is it acting this way? Who is its adviser? It is hard to understand this among the fog and mist.
Finally, the Prime Ministerial airplane, which I had not been on for a while, takes off from the foggy Serbia. The prime minister's team members are all ill with the flu. And with a heavy workload atop the flu, the prime minister's doctor is working overtime to help them.
Our plane departed from a foggy area and has landed in to an even foggier Ankara.
However, a ray of light can clear away all the mist. Please do not be pessimistic.
