The previous "Çözüm Süreci" largely failed due to the Arab Spring and the unpredictable developments in Syria. As regional instability deepened, the PKK took advantage of the power vacuum and, with the support of the Baath regime, established control in certain border areas. At that time, Türkiye was fighting FETÖ, international dynamics were against us, and the world was facing the rise of ISIS. In this turmoil, the PKK perceived itself as stronger than ever, fell into the illusion that it could gain territory through armed struggle in Türkiye, and ended the resolution process.
With the collapse of the process in 2015, Türkiye completely cleared the PKK from its territory, dismantled the KCK, reduced PKK's recruitment to zero, and sociologically transformed the Kurds. The project to create a PKK corridor reaching the Mediterranean was thwarted, particularly through the Euphrates Shield Operation and other military interventions after the FETÖ coup attempt in 2016. As of 2024, all the meaningful remains of the PKK was the YPG, which derives its legitimacy from a picture in Syria where the Baathists/Iranians were in control.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas' Al-Aqsa Flood operation radically shifted regional balances. Seeing that Iran would be butchered by Israel and the U.S., and that Russia was focused on Ukraine, Türkiye calculated that the Syrian regime could be overthrown. Taking into account Israel's expansionist policies, a new strategy was put into motion, and within this framework, negotiations were initiated with Öcalan, the PKK, and regional actors.
As these negotiations reached a certain maturity, Devlet Bahçeli made a striking statement. By saying "Öcalan should come to Parliament" he shattered political taboos and opened the door to a new process. Simultaneously, military activity in Syria increased. MHP’s official social media accounts posted "The time has come, the homeland is at stake." every day at exactly 15:00. Eventually, these posts stopped, and soon after, the Syrian opposition launched an operation to liberate Damascus.
With the fall of Damascus, the dynamics on which the PKK relied in Syria was destroyed. However, this also posed a major risk for Israel. Israeli officials began making open statements in support of the PKK and started identifying Türkiye as a direct threat. A Türkiye that has resolved its Kurdish issue and strengthened militarily and politically is now seen as a serious threat by Israel and its allies.
At this exact point, Öcalan making a statement promising unity rather than division would be a move that clearly reveals the true positions of all actors. Those who genuinely desire peace and stability will be distinguished from the proxies of external powers like Israel and Iran.
In the next phase, radical developments such as constitutional amendments or even border changes could take place. I believe the ultimate goal is to establish a regional alliance under Türkiye’s hegemony, and that this vision is rooted in Misak-ı Milli. However, how much of this can be realized and to what extent Türkiye has the power to achieve it is a separate matter. After all, our adversaries are not just sitting and watching.
Türkiye took a major risk under the leadership of Devlet Bahçeli. However, the fundamental reason for taking this risk is that Türkiye feels very strong, both domestically and internationally. FETÖ-like structures have been eradicated, the state’s security apparatus operates in an extremely coordinated and powerful manner, and in the international arena, Türkiye's significance and influence have reached their peak in the history of the Republic. Militarily, we are no longer dependent on external powers; we produce our own technology.
I understand criticisms of this strategy and that some may find the plan flawed. However, reducing the issue to mere election calculations is a shallow approach. Bahçeli, who is already at the end of his political career, has no personal gain in this. His only motivation is to ensure Türkiye's growth. Everyone knows that he is highly unlikely to be in the next elections.
Historically speaking, we were defeated in the last century, and these lands were forcibly taken from us. We made Anatolia our refuge, multiplied our population, strengthened our army, industry, and infrastructure, and reorganized our state.
Now, in an era where history is accelerating, we do not have the luxury of burying our heads in the sand.
The artificial borders drawn 100 years ago by Western imperialists to create constant crises in the Middle East and ensure the future security of the soon-to-be-established Israel are now crumbling. As the strongest state in the region, Türkiye is making moves for the next century with an imperial memory.
This is how I interpret the situation.
