There is a popular belief today: "The US is the decisive power in the world. One who opposed the US's demands cannot come to power or maintain it." This attitude is also the defense mechanism of Justice and Development Party (JDP) since their policies are submissive to the US, because especially foreign policies towards Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon and Libya have proved wrong. It is absolutely clear that the policies adopted by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and PM Ahmet Davutoglu, who is also the former FM, made Turkey hit the wall. Still, the only justification for this is always the US's sanction power and the obligations arising from it. 

 

The most recent example of that is the opening of Incirlik Air Base to the US-led coalition fighting ISIL. The US is going to fight only against ISIL with the warplanes landing off from Incirlik. It is Turkey's natural right to defend itself and its citizens against the terrorist group. However, the fact that the US, which is seen as the archenemy by the Arab people, will go to war through Turkey's land makes Turkey a real target. The air distance from the US to Iraq and Syria is 11,135 kilometers. Those entering the US undergo a strict investigation. This is why it is hard for ISIL to carry out a terrorist attack in the US. But Turkey has a border of 1242 kilometers with these two countries and that border is no  longer controlled. In addition, it is not possible to check who might be an ISIL supporter among around 2 million Syrians fleeing from the conflicts.  

 

The strategy that the US is following against ISIL is very clear. It has been apparent in recent months, that the aim is to bomb ISIL targets, thus helping the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its Syrian offshoot Democratic Union Party (PYD), to create an autonomous Kurdish region, like Iraq, in Syria, thus opening these states up to the Mediterranean. There is not a single doubt about that. The  strategy that the US and Israel follow in Middle East has long been transparent. 

 

The main objective is to control oil resources in the region, while creating a Kurdish state, which will be a new aid to Israel. The new state will only manage to survive with support of the US and Israel. The long-term goal pursued by the PKK for over 30 years is, when conditions are right, to follow a scheme that will unite Turkish, Syrian and Iraqi Kurds under a single state. This is the underlying goal of the 'Kurdish Outreach,' which has been carried out by the government with the PKK using the US's directives. 

 

Frankly, it is normal that the Kurdish separatists are adopting this strategy and looking for support from other countries, mainly the US. 

 

The solution is that Turkey's government must analyze these multifaceted attempts and strategies correctly, while adopting the policies that national interest requires. 

 

First and foremost, Turkey does not have to adopt a policy guided by the US or another state. In order to have an independent strategy, Turkey's interest should always be over the short-term parties and election tactics. Turkish people won a national independence war under the lead of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. That victory was won under tough circumstances which can't be understood today. Many colonial states took that war as an example for themselves. The newly founded Turkish state succeeded in maintaining the fully independent strategy till 1945 in spite of hard conditions in terms of finance, education, infrastructure and healthcare. 

 

Today's Turkey is also capable of maintaining a mutually respectful relationship with the US and the EU. Turkey needs to trust its self-confidence. People must stand against bigotry in administrations misinforming the public, while following their personal interests. Turkey can guarantee its independent strategy if it adopts the foreign policy that is in compliance with the national interests.  

 

 

Finally, it is vital for Turkey to develop multifaceted relations as soon as possible with the Turkic republics, which Turkey has not given enough importance, even neglected in the recent years. Turkey and Turkic republics have the chance to be an effective power in the world, due to their multifaceted potentials. In addition, Turkey needs to improve relations with the future powers like China, India and especially the neighbors like Russia and Iran.