By Prof. Oğuzhan Bilgin
Recent attacks by Israel on Middle Eastern countries, particularly Gaza, and developments in Syria that affect Turkey’s security have rightly caused us to focus our attention on the Middle East. All these issues, as well as many other regional and global problems, show that it has become imperative for Turkey to have a larger and stronger army, economy, and political and cultural influence.
On the path to a “Great Turkey,” the primary sources of Turkey’s power are the cooperation and alliance strategies based on its historical and political power in both the former imperial territories and the Islamic world, and the Turkish World constitutes the main arena where this will find an even stronger foundation. The 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States was held in Azerbaijan this week. Against the military, political, and economic risks posed by Israel and the US on one side, Russia with the threats it has created throughout history on the other, and China and Iran on yet another, the OTS represents an important alliance alternative for both Turkey and the Turkic World. In the face of today’s destabilizing risk areas and serious national security threats, it is necessary to take the OIC much further than it has progressed so far.
Since I have previously addressed the political, economic, and cultural dimensions of the TDT, the stage it has reached, and what it needs to do, today I want to focus on its military dimension, which is becoming an increasingly urgent issue.
As with all transnational alliances, the TDT can only develop through institutionalization based on political, economic, cultural, and military interdependence. At this point, more needs to be done to increase economic and political interdependence and institutionalize these dimensions of the TDT within a strategic framework. However, it is now necessary to focus more on the issue of a defense alliance, which has received less attention for the TDT until now.
I have discussed how Russia still poses a serious risk to the Turkic World, given its hostile actions towards Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan during and after the Russia-Ukraine War. I have frequently addressed how certain regional actors, primarily Israel and Iran, can pose a threat to both Turkey and the region. With the world and the region in the midst of such a security crisis, it is now clear that the TDT must form military alliances, conduct military exercises, and establish a strong defense alliance. We know how Azerbaijan’s military training and strategic cooperation with Turkey, as well as the Turkish defense industry, led to victory in Karabakh. We also know that this reality is a serious source of confidence and courage for the TDT. This groundwork needs to be expanded. Indeed, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made an important move in this direction by proposing that TDT member states conduct joint military exercises in 2026.
Of course, establishing this NATO-like defense alliance is not easy, and there are significant obstacles. The bureaucratic remnants, reflexes, and apprehensions left over from the Soviet era are present to varying degrees in some Central Asian Turkic republics; differing foreign policy understandings and apprehensions about Russia are some of these obstacles. However, having a common will and strategy to overcome such obstacles and reaching a consensus on this goal would be an important step in itself. This would create a process that would enable Turkey’s military influence to reach the Chinese border and gain significant momentum on the path to becoming a global actor. It would also offer all TDT member countries a new “steel dome” opportunity and add serious deterrence.
Working towards a common goal of a “Turan Army” in the long term and reaching a consensus on this goal will be important at this point. Thus, a “Turan Army,” which may seem like a dream at present, will be built in the long term with such a strategy and understanding, and a significant deterrent force will emerge against both friends and foes.
Source: https://www.aksam.com.tr/yazarlar/oguzhan-bilgin/turan-ordusu/haber-1608752
