• Latest
Leadership in Middle East - Ahmed Necip YILDIRIM

Leadership in the Middle East: Culture, Power or Democracy?

19 May 2017
Islam's three holy cities under occupation

Islam’s three holy cities under occupation

14 February 2019
A Safe Zone in Northern Syria is a Must for Turkey

A Safe Zone in Northern Syria is a Must for Turkey

13 February 2019
Macron: From 'the Mozart of finance' to 'the president of rich'

Macron: From ‘the Mozart of finance’ to ‘the president of rich’

13 February 2019
NATO perspective of Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina

NATO perspective of Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina

12 February 2019
Under pressure, Pompeo insists US 'not covering up' Khashoggi murder

Under pressure, Pompeo insists US ‘not covering up’ Khashoggi murder

12 February 2019
Enough is Enough in Eastern Syria

Enough is Enough in Eastern Syria

29 December 2018
Turkey's Syria Strategy after the US Withdrawal

Turkey’s Syria Strategy after the US Withdrawal

28 December 2018
Turkey's Operation in Syria as the Determinant of the Local Elections

Turkey’s Operation in Syria as the Determinant of the Local Elections

24 December 2018
Qatar Leaving OPEC is More About Independence

Qatar Leaving OPEC is More About Independence

15 December 2018
Yellow Vest Protests and the Constraints of Modern Democracy

Yellow Vest Protests and the Constraints of Modern Democracy

8 December 2018
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Be a columnist?
  • Contact
  • International Editions
    • Turkish Edition
    • Russian Edition
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Turkey Tribune
  • Turkey
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • World
  • Arts & Culture
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Turkey
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • World
  • Arts & Culture
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
Turkey Tribune
No Result
View All Result
Home Homepage Slides

Leadership in the Middle East: Culture, Power or Democracy?

by Necip YILDIRIM
19 May 2017
in Homepage Slides, Opinion
0
Leadership in Middle East - Ahmed Necip YILDIRIM

Leadership in Middle East - Ahmed Necip YILDIRIM

Share on TwitterSend on Whatsapp

There are four main countries in the Middle East who have the potential of becoming leader in the Middle East: Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt and Israel.

The Middle East is the land of cultural diversities. Cultural context becomes the most defining variable in the Middle East is in case. There are innumerable nations, ethnic groups, religions, sects, and subsects across the region. Any political approach based on a specific religious and/or national identity produces “us – them” division. Divisive approaches consolidated on differences naturally generate distinction, antagonism and ultimately clash.

The only adhesive that can bring the majority of individuals in the Middle Eastern together is democratic values. Any leader state who will be sincerely adhering to the democratic principles (like rule of law; balance of power; freedom of speech; free press; free and fair elections; protection of basic human rights… etc.) will indisputably be the leader in the Middle East. Democracy must be backed up by a free market economy, a social life tolerant to all identities, relative hard and soft power.

Turkey is the probable and viable country for the leadership in the Middle East.

Iran and Saudi Arabia: Divisive Ideological States

In February 1946, George F. Kennan, then at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, sent a wide-ranging report analyzing Soviet policy. In this report, recommended “restraining and confining” of Soviet Union because he observed that the Soviets perceived themselves to be in a state of perpetual war with capitalism and that the Soviets would use controllable Marxists all over the world as their allies against the capitalists. He also noted that Soviet aggression and expansionism was aligned with historic Russian xenophobia and paranoia. This paved the way to the “containment” of Soviets in US foreign policy.

Today, Iran is following exactly the same methods as Soviets were utilizing at that time. Iran uses all the controllable Shiites against any regime and authority in the region. In this sense, it is aggressive and expansionist. Democratic Turkey’s rising influence and power will definitely mean “containment” to the expansionism of Iran, because it will be restraining and confining Iranian influence in the region. The very existence of the regime in Iran is based on a cultural core which defines all non-Shiites as the “relevant other”; i.e. dividing individuals across the region.

Similar to Iran, the political regime of Suadi Arabia is based on Wahhabism, an interpretation of Islam. Generally, Wahhabism is falsely regarded as Sunni Islam, but it is completely different in details. Suadi Arabia has also based its state ideology and foreign policy on expansion of a creed. It is true that Turkish Republic and Suadi Arabia never experienced an explicit antagonistic relationship, yet they did not enjoy any considerable mutual cooperation either. Taking in mind the basic ideological viewpoint of the Saudi regime, it will be quiet difficult for Saudi Arabian decision makers to see an active democratic Turkey in the Middle East.

Democratic Turkey is a natural antidote for divisive, expansionist, undemocratic ideologies of Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Israel: Small Island in an Ocean

Israel is a democratic country; however the country has bad relations with most of the Arab countries. Culturally and historically, people in the Middle East will not follow Israel as a leader state.

Israel would be a close partner of Turkey if it was not located in the Middle East. The relationship between Turkey and Israel does not mean anything per se. Even if Turkey and Israel will establish close mutual relations, their respective policies in the Middle East will always contradict. So, when we study the relationship between Turkey and Israel in the big picture of the Middle East, we see that Israel cannot establish as friendly relations with Middle Eastern countries as Turkey can.

As long as it approaches with democratic values towards the Middle East, Turkey does not have to distance itself from Israel in order to develop close relationships with Arab countries, and vice-a-versa.

Why Egypt is never an option?

Those who know Turkey and Egypt closely will right away dismiss Egypt as a potential competitor of Turkey in any possible aspect. Except the conjunctural success of Nasser days, which were merely a “flash in the pan”, Egypt has never been a serious potential leader of the Middle East. Political, economic, and social dynamics of Egypt is far from being ready for playing for the leadership in the Middle East. Turkey actually a very good role model for Egypt.

Turkey: The Natural protector of all in the Middle East

Turkey was deliberately neglecting the Middle East for around 80 years. This was so partly due to internal dynamics of Turkey and partly due to the international dynamics. Things, however, started to change after the end of the Cold War. International conjuncture and internal dynamics of Turkey is obliging Turkey to come back and reclaim its natural role in once forgotten friends in the region.

Actually, nature has bestowed a lot of opportunities to Turkey: Turkey is located in a strategic place which has geographical proximity with Middle East, Balkans, Caucasus, Europe, Asia, Africa and all Eastern Mediterranean states. This region is also rich of important natural resources which enhance Turkey’s importance as a passage for the energy routes.

Turkey possesses a cultural advantage in the region. Turkey has strong cultural ties and speaks the same language with around 300 million Turks. And we share a common history with the countries in the Balkans, Caucasus and Middle East. All of these nations have peacefully coexisted with Turks for centuries in the Ottoman time. One must also mention ‘state tradition’: As a state, Turkey is founded over an ancient legacy of knowledge and the experience in statehood. Turkish military power is one of the strongest armies in the region.

In spite of all its deficiencies, Turkey is the best example with a functioning democracy among all other Islamic countries. It has a vast agricultural land and relatively rich human resources.

Turkey has consolidated its position as a strong regional power and an active global actor. In the last years; Turkey has mobilized all its resources in order to increase its power; i.e. its state tradition, natural resources, its military power, human resources, geostrategic location, developing economy and so many other factors deserves to be placed in such a position. The only thing Turkey needs for going even further is the continuation of the determined political will and stability witnessed in recent years.

 

 

 

Tweet10SendShare15Share4Share3
Previous Post

Secret Jewel of Europe: Property Investment in Turkey

Next Post

VAT-free residences for foreigners, Turkish citizens residing abroad

Necip YILDIRIM

Aslen Buharalıdır. Lisans ve yüksek lisansını Uluslararası İlişkiler sahasında yapmıştır. Doktora tezinde Kuantum fiziğinin içtimai ilimlere tatbikini incelemektedir. Yetmişten çok ülkede bulunmuştur. İyi derecede İngilizce, Farsça, Rusça, Hintçe bilmektedir.

Related Posts

Islam's three holy cities under occupation

Islam’s three holy cities under occupation

14 February 2019
A Safe Zone in Northern Syria is a Must for Turkey

A Safe Zone in Northern Syria is a Must for Turkey

13 February 2019

Macron: From ‘the Mozart of finance’ to ‘the president of rich’

13 February 2019

NATO perspective of Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina

12 February 2019

Under pressure, Pompeo insists US ‘not covering up’ Khashoggi murder

12 February 2019

Enough is Enough in Eastern Syria

29 December 2018
Next Post
buy property turkey, istanbul

VAT-free residences for foreigners, Turkish citizens residing abroad

Discussion about this post

Turkey Tribune

Turkey Tribune is an independent institution.

Our primary target is to present news, reports, analysis, evaluations, opinions and comments about matters that are related to Turkish Republic. Turkey Tribune is a window through which you can look into Turkey and also you can look at the world from the Turkish perspective.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us on: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram

  • 163
    Hospitals for Medical Tourism in Turkey  Read More  http   j mp 2ojqOfs ------ 47 medical facilities in Turkey are accredited by the Joint Commission International  April 2017   This is the largest number of accreditation that any country in the world has ever achieved  Only this number actually exhibits how strong Turkish medical infrastructure is
  • 58
    Referendum Results in Turkey  This is only the Beginning  http   j mp 2p7HPNN  According to the initial number of votes counted  Turkish referendum for constitutional change ended with the victory of the    Yes    camp  Around 50  of voters said    Yes    to changes   The results will be officially confirmed after all votes will be counted   This was one of the most crucial turning points in Turkish political history  There is a lot still to be done  If Turkey is to become a strong and powerful country  each and every individual in Turkey  both who voted    Yes    and    No    for this constitutional change have certain duties to be fulfilled   We have to make sure that democracy prevails under any circumstances   The result of the referendum in Turkey should be an important step taken towards democratization of the country  We must find ways of living peacefully together in a democratic environment   Governmental system should remain  secular  In other words we must make sure that the  religion and politics are separate  The governmental system in Turkey  should keep equal distance towards all beliefs   The most outstanding change in this constitutional change is regarding the  balance of powers  In the existing Parliamentary system in Turkey  legislation and execution  government  were in the hands of the same people  Individuals forming the government were the same individuals who were at the same time making the law in Turkish parliament    After this referendum a more strict separation of powers  checks and balances system  is restored in Turkey   The second and the most outstanding change is the empowerment of the execution in Turkey  Execution is becoming much stronger  Powerful president  like that of United States of America   As the president will be taking executive decision with a team that he she will select the executive power will not be divided between prime minister and the president   What will be the result of this  Determination  stability  predictability  and strong will in political system will boost economic growth  We can expect a more active and assertive foreign policy   It is claimed by the  makers of this constitutional change  that    For the first time the
  • 50
    Will World War III Start  - A Special Report by Political Analyst Ahmed N  YILDIRIM - Turkey Tribune http   j mp 2pnHbIb
  • 17
    Probably they worked on those masks for weeks    Hilariously Realistic Masks of Donald Trump  Vladimir Putin   Kim Jong-Un  Tell us what you think   More Global News at https   www turkeytribune com  globalnews  turkishnews
  • 37
     InvestTurkey  TurkeyTribune  InvestTurkey  BusinessTurkey  istanbul
  • 28
     Turkey  TurkeyRussia
No Result
View All Result

Get more stuff

Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.

Thank you for subscribing.

Something went wrong.

we respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously

  • Be a columnist?
  • Contact
  • Turkish
  • Russian
No Result
View All Result
  • Turkey
  • Economy
  • Opinion
  • World
  • Arts & Culture
  • Politics
  • Local Editions
    • Turkish Edition
    • Russian Edition

International Voice of Turkey

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In