The Middle East needs a future in which security is shared and disputes are settled through diplomacy. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s address to the Turkish Parliament on 1 October offered an important starting point: Türkiye’s ability to contribute to regional peace rests partly on the strength of its own society.

Erdoğan linked regional threats to domestic divisions and placed the goal of a terrorism-free Türkiye within a wider discussion of national strength. My reading of his message is straightforward: a country that builds trust among its citizens gains greater freedom to act beyond its borders.

For Türkiye, lasting progress against terrorism would protect lives, free resources for education and development and give diplomacy greater room to work. Success must be measured by lasting security, public confidence and respect for the rule of law.

For Türkiye, lasting progress against terrorism would protect lives, free resources for education and development and give diplomacy greater room to work. Success must be measured by lasting security, public confidence and respect for the rule of law.

Domestic unity also requires room for disagreement. Citizens should be able to debate their country’s future while sharing responsibility for its security. A society that resolves differences peacefully is better placed to help its neighbours do the same.

Erdoğan also warned that outside actors can exploit divisions within societies. The practical response should be stronger institutions, equal citizenship and regional dialogue. Treating ethnic or religious diversity as a permanent security problem risks deepening the divisions that outside powers might exploit.

In my recent article, “Five Centuries of Unchanging Geopolitics”, I argued that Türkiye’s security and prosperity must be understood alongside developments beyond........

© Middle East Monitor