Neo-Ottomanism

He explained that there were more Bosnians in Turkey than those living in Bosnia, more Albanians than those living in Albania, more Chechens than those in Chechnya and more Abkhaz than people living in Abkhazia.

While other participants of the program on the "private" channel -- which though established by the ruling Justice and Development Party, or the AKP -- were looking at him with great admiration and appreciation the Islamist analyst continued: "If Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan travels today to Gaza, I am sure he will receive a more spectacular welcome than he would receive in any Turkish city. Why? Because Turkey has a very wide socio-cultural territory and we have to realize our responsibilities for this vast geography."

Could there be a better explanation of the neo-Ottomanist political jargon of the current Turkish government than this?

In a country where whatever bad is wanted to be associated with patriotism, nationalism and Kemalism it would be absurd of course if the "Islamist democrat" speakers -- which included the best-informed Ergenekon informant who developed the skill of reporting days in advance whose turn has come to be taken in -- failed to establish a link between the "traditional conservative Turkish foreign policy" and the objections to the present-day "proactive" and "neo-Ottomanist" foreign policy concept that "successfully" geared Turkey into the league of Iran, Syria and Hamas.

The prime minister was right, according to the speakers, in complaining that the "mon chŽr"s (or "Monşers", a term used in slang Turkish to ridicule Foreign Ministry bureaucrats admiring the West and who do nothing but entertain themselves at receptions) were unable to understand the "noble" attitude taken with the Davos walk out because they were still acting with the Cold War mentality and were supporting a "protectionist" foreign policy line rather than the "pro-active" approach of the AKP government that "has started" to make Turkey a "regional power." The Ergenekon gang, therefore, according to the speakers, was a last bid effort of the conservative and protectionist elements in the society, including the military, who objected Turkey becoming a Muslim democracy capable of playing a key role as a big regional power in a vast socio-cultural neo-Ottomanist sphere rather than remaining as a dwarf anchored forever to the West but never becoming a full-fledged integrated element of the West.

Criticism becomes a taboo
Turkey, however, has become a key regional power, according to the speakers, that has become the key country that should and can play a very important role in resolving the three big problems of the world: Cyprus, Jerusalem and Kashmir. Right, Turkey can play a role in Cyprus. For Jerusalem, or the Arab-Israeli conflict, Turkey has been trying to become a mediator for a long time, but time will show the terrible impact of the Davos show off on such a role by Turkey. Regarding Pakistan-Israel rapprochement Turkey played a key role, but how can Turkey play a role in the resolution of Kashmir if both Pakistan and India are against such a role by Ankara?

Naturally, the speakers were united in condemning the writers and analysts who did not share their neo-Ottomanist hallucinations as "worst than foreign foes" of Turkey because at a time when the Turkish premier demonstrated an "honorable" stance and "defended the honor and pride" of the country at an international event, everyone must have united in support of him. Naturally, this approach was a product of a similar statement by Erdoğan himself who condemned as aligning with a "hostile moderator" those who criticized his Davos walk out as incompatible with statesmanlike attitude. Hold on! Criticism of Erdoğan is a taboo!

Territorial expansionism cost this country and nation a lot. Cultural expansionism may cost a lot as well. Rather than compelling itself into the league of Hamas, Syria and Iran with cheap antagonistic tactics and yelling at international forums, Turkey must find new tools to play a role in resolution of regional conflicts.