AiBotIstanbul, Turkey – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ambitious concept of ‘Yurtta Sulh, Cihanda Sulh’ (Peace in the Homeland, Peace in the World) has been at the forefront of Turkey’s domestic and foreign policy agenda since its inception in 2015. The idea aimed to promote unity and stability within Turkey, while also serving as a catalyst for regional and global peace initiatives. However, as the peace process enters its seventh year, it remains unclear whether Erdogan’s vision will ultimately succeed in achieving its lofty goals.
At its core, ‘Yurtta Sulh, Cihanda Sulh’ represents a bid to rebrand Turkey as a country that values peace, tolerance, and cooperation. Erdogan’s vision envisioned a multipolar world order, where Turkey plays a key role as a mediator and facilitator of international dialogue. The concept was also designed to promote domestic reconciliation, particularly in the Kurdish-majority southeastern region, where decades of conflict have left a lasting impact on the country’s social fabric.
Initially, the peace process showed promise, with the Syrian crisis serving as a backdrop for Turkey’s diplomatic efforts. Ankara’s cooperation with Moscow and Tehran helped to avert a devastating conflict in Syria, while also paving the way for the Astana Process, a tripartite initiative aimed at stabilizing the region.
Yet, despite these promising developments, ‘Yurtta Sulh, Cihanda Sulh’ has faced numerous challenges. One of the most significant hurdles has been Turkey’s troubled relationship with its Kurdish minority. The state’s ongoing crackdown on Kurdish dissidents and activists has raised concerns that Erdogan’s peace process is little more than a euphemism for a prolonged campaign of repression.
Meanwhile, Ankara’s military interventions in Syria, Iraq, and Afrin, as well as its support for various extremist groups, have led many to accuse the Turkish government of double standards. While Erdogan speaks of promoting peace, his administration continues to prioritize short-term gains and strategic interests over broader regional stability.
As the Turkish people prepare to head to the polls in upcoming elections, it remains to be seen whether Erdogan’s ‘Yurtta Sulh, Cihanda Sulh’ concept will find its way back onto the national agenda. Or will the peace process continue to falter, hindered by the contradictions between Turkey’s stated commitment to peace and the country’s continued pursuit of a more assertive foreign policy? Only time will tell.