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"At the most critical crossroads of its history, the European Union stands between the risk of becoming a "museum continent"  and the opportunity to become a global "balancing power."  The future will be built not only with technological tools but also with a sincere democratic vision that extends beyond borders." Ayhan KIZILTAN, ben@ayhankiziltan.com , Mersin April 18, 2026 TECHNOLOGICAL SOVEREIGNTY AND THE SPIRIT OF "DIGITAL AIRBUS" The EU has launched a struggle for digital sovereignty with projects like “Euro-Office”  and “GAIA-X”  to break its technological dependence on the US. However, this effort must not be limited to software packages. The spirit of collective success captured in the Airbus project must be revitalized today in the digital world and high technology. While establishing its own data infrastructure, the EU must also transform into an agile structure that makes swift decisions by purging itself of its cumbersome bureaucracy. STRATEGIC ERRORS AND THE END OF THE "SECURITY ILLUSION" For many years, the EU cut defense spending and diverted these resources to social welfare and the development of member states with weaker economies. Relying on the protection of the US created a "strategic blindness"  that caused Europe to fall behind in technological and military R&D. However, the crises in Ukraine and the Middle East have harshly taught the EU that security cannot be bought; it must be built. This "awakening"  is the primary driving force that will save the EU from the risk of becoming a museum continent. FROM CULTURAL ISOLATION TO A UNIVERSAL EMBRACE The EU’s greatest strategic error has been closing itself off to the world by imprisoning itself within the clutches of a specific religious and cultural unity. Yet, democracy is a universal heritage of humanity. The EU must stop excluding its secular and powerful allies that have reached democratic maturity, such as Turkey, and instead sincerely embrace them. The full integration of Turkey into this structure will provide the EU with the dynamism, logistics, production power, and vision it requires. REGIONAL WILL AGAINST TRANSOCEANIC INTERVENTION At the root of the turmoil in the Middle East lies the intervention of a transoceanic power in the region in line with its own interests. The main objective of this power is to destabilize the region to sell weapons through chaos and exploit resources. The only way to break this cycle of exploitation is for regional problems to be solved by the actors of this very region. The EU and Turkey must join forces to create a peace shield that will prevent the destructive interventions of "third countries." FROM DYNASTIES TO DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICS For the awakening of the region, dynasties and dictatorships must be replaced by Democratic Republics  based on the will of the people. The greatest antidote to radicalism is not dogma, but democratic maturity and a culture of compromise. The wealth of the region must be spent not on palaces and weapons, but on the education, welfare, technology, and future of its people. If the wealth of the Middle East is rescued from the pockets of dynasties and dictators, there will be no need for the EU or Turkey to provide additional resources. PEACE THROUGH EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION The foundation of peace and prosperity is a modern and universal education system. The EU and Turkey must take a leading role in education to ensure the young population of the region is raised with modern science. The vision of shifting the industrial load of the Marmara region to Anatolia and the Mersin-Çukurova  axis is a prototype for a grand development model that will encompass the entire region. A Middle East that becomes conscious through education, prospers through industry, and is liberated through democracy will become Europe’s most secure neighbor. CONCLUSION: A HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY What we need today is not the chaos scenarios of the transoceanic power, but a sincere cooperation flourishing along the Ankara-Brussels line. If the EU turns back from the mistake of isolationism and shows the courage to transform the region into a basin of peace together with Turkey, it will carry not only itself but the entire world toward a more peaceful future. It must be remembered that: Republican culture and democratic maturity are the sole guarantees of trust for both investors and human dignity. I look forward to meeting you in my new article next week. Goodbye!

Ayhan KIZILTAN, ben@ayhankiziltan.com.tr , Mersin, Türkiye, 28 March 2026 Today is March 28, 2026 . The smoke rising in the Middle East comes from the debris of not only buildings but also the international legal norms that humanity has built with immense effort. This massive tension on the USA-Israel-Iran  axis is actually the manifestation of a "global system error" that has been woven stitch by stitch for decades. From the perspective of a mechanical engineer, I see that the world today is experiencing a "Single Point of Failure"  crisis. Entrusting global security and the fate of billions of people to the initiative of just a few leaders, or the "power lobbies" that pull their strings like puppets, is the greatest proof of systemic collapse. Economic Impacts of War: "The Greatest Trade Rupture in 80 Years" International sources describe this process as a supply chain crisis deeper than the pandemic. On a Global Scale: Energy Shock:  Brent crude prices surged by more than 40%  compared to pre-war levels, exceeding $115  per barrel. In Europe, natural gas prices doubled in just three weeks. Logistics Collapse:  The simultaneous destabilization of Hormuz and the Red Sea forced global trade to divert toward the Cape of Good Hope. This situation increased container costs by 300%  and extended delivery times by 2-3 weeks. Growth Loss:  The WTO (World Trade Organization) announced that if the war continues this way, a loss of at least 0.3% to 1%  in 2026 global GDP growth is expected. Specifically for Türkiye: Current Account Deficit Pressure:  Türkiye’s energy import bill is under great risk. Economists warn that a permanent rise in energy prices could push the current account deficit-to-GDP ratio above 3% . Cost of Living and Inflation:  The process of price increases, which was already unstoppable before the war, accelerated further due to fuel prices following the start of the conflict. Alternative Route Role:  The blockage of sea routes on the East-West axis has made Türkiye’s land and rail connections (the Middle Corridor) a vital alternative. Strategic Goals of the USA and Israel For the parties involved, this war is not just a military operation but an attempt to determine the next 50 years of the region. Israel’s Goal:  For Israel, this war is described as an "existential cleansing". The primary goal is to physically destroy Iran’s nuclear capacity and logistically paralyze the "Axis of Resistance" (Hezbollah, Houthis, etc.) stretching from Lebanon to Yemen. The Israeli administration has shifted from a strategy of "mowing the grass" to "high-level leadership elimination" aimed at directly shaking the regime. The ultimate goal is to bring the Middle East to its knees and expand its territory by bringing the USA to its side. The USA’s Goal:  Washington aims to permanently disable Iran’s ballistic missile and drone production infrastructure. Under the Trump administration, the ultimate goal is to force Iran into "unconditional surrender," breaking Iranian guardianship over global energy routes (Strait of Hormuz) and establishing a new security architecture in the region. Essentially, the primary goal is to seize all resources in this geography. Israel and the "Regional Security Paradox" In foreign sources, Israel's military doctrine in the region is often analyzed as "survival instinct turning into aggression". Nuclear Non-Transparency:  Israel’s nuclear weapons—unacknowledged but known by everyone—render the regional power balance asymmetric in Israel's favor. This serves as the primary fuel for countries like Iran seeking "nuclear deterrence". Humanitarian Devastation and Trust Crisis:  Operations conducted without regard for civilians, children, or the elderly are rapidly eroding Israel's claim of "self-defense" in the eyes of the international community. The scale of civilian casualties in this 2026 operation is interpreted as a "historical collapse of trust in Israel" not only among regional peoples but also within NGOs in Western capitals. Who Can Trust? The Risk of the Future The answers to these questions explain why the world is evolving into a "Multi-Polar"  structure: Fear Replaces Trust:  States no longer trust international law or the protection of a major power; they rely on their own defense industries and regional alliances. Moral Crisis:  A power (USA or Israel) winning militarily does not mean it has won morally or politically. The greatest loss of this 2026 war has been the belief in the concept of "universal human rights". "Authority" Debate and International Law Analysis The USA’s intervention from across the ocean causes a serious legitimacy crisis in international law: UN Charter Article 51:  The USA and Israel defend the attacks under "preemptive self-defense". They present Iran's nearing of nuclear weapon capability and the "imminent threat" to US assets in the region as legal justification. Legal Vacuum:  Critical foreign sources (Guardian, Just Security) emphasize that this operation, launched without UN Security Council approval, is a "violation of sovereignty". It is stated that the concept of "imminent threat" is being expanded and used as it was during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, weakening the international legal order. Jurisdiction Issue:  The USA sees ensuring the security of its regional allies (Israel and Gulf countries) as a "global gendarmerie" mission. However, jurists remind that for "collective self-defense," there must be an explicit call for help from the victim state, whereas this operation began largely unilaterally. Unfortunately, law has fallen behind power dynamics. Two fundamental rules are being violated in the current conflicts: Principle of Proportionality:  A response to a military threat must be at a level to neutralize that threat. Bombing civilian infrastructure (hospitals, water facilities) directly violates this principle and falls under "war crimes". Principle of Distinction:  The necessity to distinguish between combatants and civilians. Despite the "precision strike" capability of modern munitions, the high rate of civilian deaths shows this principle is being ignored under the label of "collateral damage". The Position of Russia and China: "Strategic Opportunism" While Beijing and Moscow avoid direct involvement in the war, they seek to turn this chaos to their advantage: Russia  condemns the attacks rhetorically but does not send military aid. Oil prices rising above $110 eases its budget. It diverts the West's attention away from the Ukrainian front. China  calls for "calm and diplomacy" while continuing to buy Iranian oil by bypassing sanctions. Its energy supply security is at risk. It finds an opportunity to reduce pressure over Taiwan by disrupting the USA's "Asia-Pacific" focus. Russia and China do not want Iran to collapse completely, as that would mean the Middle East becoming an American lake. However, they refrain from risking their own military forces for Iran. They tend to manage this situation as "controlled instability". "Shadow Governance" of Power Lobbies and Puppet Leadership Risk More dangerous than a leader being malicious is them being inconsistent and open to manipulation. In the modern world, "power lobbies" (arms lobbies, energy giants, financial cartels) make strategic decisions based on short-term profit maximization rather than rational state reasoning. Asymmetric Decisions:  If a president is under the influence of defense industry lobbies, turning toward policies that fuel conflict instead of peaceful solutions becomes a "commercial necessity". Loss of Accountability:  Since these lobbies are not elected, they cannot be held responsible for the human costs (civilian deaths, destroyed cities) of their decisions. Piercing the Institutional Shield The claim of democratic systems is that "institutions are superior to individuals." However, as seen in recent years, powerful lobbies and populist waves can bypass these institutional structures (Foreign Ministry bureaucracy, judiciary, oversight mechanisms). A leader commanding nuclear codes or a massive army being able to take operational decisions as easily as sending a "tweet"—without passing through an institutional filter—creates an unpredictability nightmare  for the whole world. When power is concentrated in one hand, international law ceases to be a "tool of justice" and becomes a "cover" that the strong fits to their own actions. Social and Humanitarian "Side Effects" The massacres carried out without regard for "civilians, the elderly, or children" are the bitterest result of this uncontrolled power. Erosion of Trust:  No one looks at a superpower or its ally as a "bringer of justice" anymore. This creates a global "moral vacuum". Radicalization:  Arbitrary bombings and unjust occupations do not just cause physical destruction; they also sow seeds of irreparable "anger" and "radicalization" in future generations. This ultimately creates a greater security threat for the countries holding that "power" in the long run. The USA's Dark Algorithm: The Dictator Production Line The USA's foreign policy has a dark algorithm that has remained unchanged for years, functioning like a factory setting. The operating principle is this: first, install a "useful" dictator who is easy to manage at the head of the country you intend to exploit. Through him, quietly exploit that country's underground and surface resources. Subject this installed dictator to "power poisoning" with the unlimited means you provide, so he becomes detached from his people, turns authoritarian, and begins to oppress his own citizens. When the dictator outlives his usefulness or becomes uncontrollable, the USA steps onto the stage wearing a "savior" mask. The same USA sends troops under the lie of "bringing democracy to your country," and overthrows that dictator by burning and destroying. Libya, Iraq, and Syria  are the freshest and most painful examples; now they are trying this in Iran. I ask you: which oppressed people has the USA truly developed to date? In which geography it entered has it established peace and prosperity?. We all know the answer: None!  All that remains are ruins with displaced resources. The Desperation of "Long Live My King" and the Handover of Resources The greatest accomplices of this exploitative order in the region are the dictators who give themselves titles like king or emir. These individuals have surrendered unconditionally to the USA and Israel just to protect their own sultanates and palaces. The USA has been exploiting the resources of these countries for years; in return, it provides "throne insurance" for these dictators. Peoples are deliberately left helpless and ignorant, pushed into religious and sectarian conflicts. Because a questioning public is the greatest threat to this "handover order". While their country's wealth flows to foreign powers, these fake sultanates that make their people say "Long live my king, long live my emir" are actually stealing the future of a geography. For these regimes, it is not national interest but "palace interest" that comes before everything else. Europe’s Existential Fear: "Are We Next?" However, this recklessness is now causing deep concern not only in the Middle East but also in Europe. Europeans, who lived in comfortable prosperity for years by entrusting their security to the USA’s nuclear umbrella, have finally woken up after what happened to Iran and the arbitrary wars in the region. They have realized they can no longer trust a USA led by an unpredictable leader like Trump, who is easily directed by power lobbies. Having seen how countries they previously ignored are being swallowed by powers under the mask of an ally, the following question now echoes in European capitals: "Could they do the same to us tomorrow if our interests clash?" . Indeed, what Trump has said about Europe since the day he was elected is evident. This fear could turn the European Union into a "key actor" poised to disrupt this unjust "new world order" that the USA and Israel want to establish. A Visionary Exit for Türkiye: The Mersin and Çukurova Line So, what should we do in this massive turbulence? The only way for Türkiye to protect itself from this spiral of exploitation and war is to arm itself with strategic intelligence and a democratic shield. Spreading the Burden of Marmara to Anatolia:  Confining our industrial and logistical power only to Marmara is a major security vulnerability. Transferring this load to safe ports and the Anatolian interior—especially to regions with strong potential like Mersin-Çukurova —is not a preference, but a condition for national survival. Becoming a Self-Sufficient Country Again:  We must be a country that is self-sufficient in agriculture, industry, technology, and defense, and capable of offering its production to the world. Education and Culture Mobilization:  We must create an education system that raises our people to—and above—the education and culture levels of the world's most developed countries in every field. Ensuring Internal Unity:  As MHP leader Bahçeli stated, we must ensure internal unity, but without regarding political concerns and interests. Democracy is the Greatest Guarantee:  The real guarantee that will bind a visionary investor and peace to our country is not missile shields, but the unshakable democratic culture of our Republic . A country where democracy and law prevail is the most resilient against scenarios dictated from the outside. In conclusion; the future will belong not to those who sell their people and resources to protect their sultanate, but to those who claim their own inherent power, their own people, and their own freedom. This world order that gives a "single point of failure" will eventually break. Our duty is to have built a Türkiye that is both economically and democratically robust when that day arrives. The future will belong to those who keep justice and humanity alive. Goodbye, until we meet in my next article…

Ayhan Kızıltan, ben@ayhankiziltan.com , İMECE Newspaper, Mersin, Türkiye – May 26, 2024 We support the Mersin-Adana High-Speed Train investment; it is a strategic project that will provide an incredible contribution to our regional economy. It must be extended to Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, and even further to other Southeastern Anatolian provinces, eventually connecting to the Railway Line within the planned Development Road Project  in the Middle East. The fact that the existing Mersin-Adana Railway will be temporarily closed for two years for the construction of the High-Speed Train Line will adversely affect Mersin and regional logistics. Consequently, this will impact industrial enterprises in the provinces that utilize the Port of Mersin for their exports and imports. Since rail transport is more economical than road transport, its use among industrialists had been increasing. Road transport will now replace the temporarily closed railway line. As a result, shifting industrialists—who have developed a habit of using railways—back to road transport may cause operational disruptions and lead to a certain increase in logistics costs. This could create a disadvantage for Turkish firms in international competition. The Mersin International Port , which features three berths with direct railway connections, serves as the import and export gateway for the Central Anatolia, Mediterranean, Eastern, and Southeastern Anatolia regions. Simultaneously, it is a transit hub for Russia, Middle Eastern countries, and the Turkic Republics. Connected via road, air, and rail, Mersin International Port encompasses all modes of transportation. It is a vital gateway for the export of industrial, agricultural, and other products manufactured in Mersin’s hinterland, as well as the primary entry point for raw material imports for industrial facilities in this geography. During the planning and design process of the Mersin-Adana High-Speed Train Line, was there an exchange of ideas with Mersin Port, the logistics sector, TCDD, and industrialists involved in foreign trade regarding measures to minimize logistical damage? Or is the prevailing mindset "everyone for themselves"? It seems there is no choice but to complete this investment EXTREMELY FAST , as it affects such a vast region. It should not be overlooked that the TCDD Yenice Logistics Transfer Center  will also be negatively affected by this situation. Furthermore, I believe this investment should have brought a critical issue to the agenda: once the high-speed line is completed, railway transport capacity will increase significantly. Meanwhile, the project to expand the Mersin Port Berths is also underway. When these two investments are finished, the cargo capacity and traffic of the existing port will increase tremendously. It is evident that Mersin Port will require a much larger area. The port grounds must be expanded toward the north and east to meet increasing storage demands and to improve traffic mobility within the port. Even now, the greatest problem facing Mersin Port is the lack of sufficient space, which stands as the biggest obstacle to faster and more economical operations. A new zoning plan for this region must be implemented urgently, designating the expansion areas to the north and east. Additionally, space must be allocated for sectors that support port activities, and the transportation network must be planned in a way that does not congest urban traffic. Otherwise, according to the current zoning plan, high-rise business centers to the north will stifle the Port and the entrance to Mersin. The zoning plan for this area must be executed immediately, focusing on the coordinated, fluid, and rapid operation of the port and logistics sectors. Moreover, this planning should encompass the Çukurova Regional Airport , which is nearing completion. The port and the airport together have created the potential to transform Çukurova into a logistics and economic basin. I also assume the Mersin Main Container Port  will be built, which will further strengthen this basin. A region with robust logistical capabilities is the most attractive destination for investors. If we can integrate the resources and synergy of Adana and the provinces in our hinterland and plan this opportunity effectively, we can transform Çukurova into an ECONOMIC BASIN  that goes far beyond the likes of Marmara or Dubai. In this basin, investments can be made in every imaginable sector—from agriculture and food to heavy industry, high-tech manufacturing, informatics, R&D, tourism, and healthcare. As long as we demonstrate the will and create a participatory, inclusive plan. If entrepreneurial and courageous public administrators, who can see the future and seize opportunities, take the lead—supported by the private sector and other dynamics—the Great Çukurova Economic Basin  will become a reality. It is enough for the political authorities to simply show the will and provide the resources... Stay well; we will be here again next week!

Ayhan Kızıltan, ben@ayhankiziltan.com.tr , Mersin, Türkiye 20/03/026 What I Have Argued for Over the Years For many years, I have consistently made the same case: investments in Türkiye should no longer be concentrated in only a handful of established centers, but should instead be distributed across the country in a rational, balanced, and strategic way. Mersin and the Çukurova Basin are among the strongest candidates of this new era. For years, on my own website, I have addressed the relationship between the port, the airport, the hinterland, and planning along the same axis. In my articles titled The Great Çukurova Economic Basin , The Mersin Hinterland , What Kind of Mersin? , and The Mersin Model , I explained that Mersin-Çukurova is not merely a cluster of cities, but, if properly planned, could become an economic basin on a global scale. Today, the picture created by the war in the Middle East and the global power struggle once again shows that this view is not a wish, but a strategic reality. The world is no longer looking only at glittering showcases. It is looking at geographies that can remain standing in times of crisis, sustain production, and keep trade chains intact. The Same Warning from Hormuz Strait to the Taiwan Strait The fault lines of global trade are shifting. On one side there is the war and energy crisis around the Strait of Hormuz, and on the other, the renewed military pressure around Taiwan. According to Reuters reports dated March 15-19, 2026, China has once again intensified its military flights around Taiwan, while Taiwan approved nearly 9 billion dollars in U.S. arms deals. In the same period, China also tried to leverage the Middle East energy crisis by offering Taiwan “ energy security in return for reunification ,” and Taiwan rejected it. In other words, today the world is experiencing fragility not only on oil and natural gas routes, but also on semiconductor and advanced technology production lines. If Hormuz is shaken, energy is shaken. If Taiwan is shaken, technology is shaken. The fact that the two great powers, Washington and Beijing, are increasingly shaping the world through a logic of power projection and pressure is driving humanity not toward a more stable order, but toward a permanent crisis economy. This logic is replacing free trade with concepts such as “reliable partner,” “nearshoring,” “our camp,” and “strategic dependency.” The world economy is now priced not only by efficiency, but also by security. Why Is Türkiye a Candidate for a Safe Base? This is exactly where Türkiye stands out. Türkiye is not merely a country located geographically between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It is also a country with republican experience, state memory, a culture of production, and multimodal transport infrastructure. The Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye defines the state as a republic and as a “ democratic, secular, and social state governed by the rule of law. ” Invest in Türkiye, the country’s official investment agency, also emphasizes Türkiye’s ambition to become a nodal point in the value chains between Europe and Asia, its investments in logistics and transport infrastructure, and its position linked to production bases. This is precisely what I have been emphasizing for years: an investor does not seek profit alone. An investor seeks security, seeks the rule of law, seeks predictability, seeks a system that can keep operating in times of crisis. Despite all its shortcomings, Türkiye is one of the countries capable of establishing such a foundation. Therefore, the reality revealed by the war in the Middle East is not only a threat, but also a historic opportunity for Türkiye. The Strength of Mersin-Çukurova: A Basin That Produces, Carries, and Distributes But the real question is where, within Türkiye, we should be looking. My answer is clear: the Mersin-Çukurova Basin. Because the strength of this region does not come from a single advantage, but from its integrated structure. Here there is a port, there is a free zone, there is agriculture, there is industry, there is a broad hinterland. According to official information, Çukurova International Airport has an annual passenger capacity of 9 million. When the Mersin Port expansion project is completed, the target is to increase container volume from 2.6 million TEU to 3.6 million TEU. If the government also urgently implements the Mersin Main Container Port project, the container volume between Mersin and İskenderun, together with the existing and planned various ports, will increase significantly. The Mersin-Adana-Gaziantep high-speed railway backbone is also being designed as a line that will connect Mersin not only to the coast, but more firmly to the interior and the east. For this reason, Mersin-Çukurova is not merely a port city. This basin has the potential to establish a deeper economic model in which goods are not only transferred, but produced, processed, stored, and distributed to the world. That is exactly what I mean when I speak of a “basin.” The Burden Marmara Can No Longer Carry At this point, another reality must be stated openly: Marmara, and especially Istanbul, has become a center that is increasingly struggling to carry the entire economic burden of Türkiye. According to data from the Governorship of Mersin, Mersin’s population at the end of 2024 was 1,954,279. According to TomTom’s 2025 data, the average traffic congestion level was 39.2 percent in Mersin, while it was 62 percent in Istanbul. Istanbul’s 2025 population data also points to a level of 15.7 million. This picture shows not only the population gap, but also a mounting congestion. Politics has for a long time chosen the easy way out. Decisions are still mostly made with an Istanbul-centered mindset, investments are still concentrated in the same basin, and then this is called development. Yet this is not development. It is unbalanced growth. It means inflating Istanbul a little more while keeping Anatolia waiting a little longer. Türkiye’s real need is not to burden Marmara even further, but to establish new economic backbones. Dubai’s Showcase, Mersin’s Depth When comparing Dubai with Mersin-Çukurova Zone, one must speak not with emotion, but with reason. Today, Dubai is very strong in terms of brand power, free-zone experience, financial visibility, and logistics scale. By contrast, Mersin-Çukurova Zone does not yet have the same global investment perception. That is its weak side, and it must be acknowledged. But that is not the whole story. The official state portal of the United Arab Emirates shows that it operates under a federal structure in which each of the seven emirates has its own ruler. The Republic of Türkiye, by contrast, is constitutionally a republic that claims to be a democratic, secular, and social state governed by the rule of law. This difference is not merely political. It also matters in terms of long-term investment culture, social depth, human resources, and institutional sustainability. My view is this: Dubai may be today’s showcase; but Mersin-Çukurova, if planned correctly, can become tomorrow’s more balanced, more production-based, and deeper basin. Because Dubai grew primarily as a global trade and distribution showcase, whereas Mersin-Çukurova has a structure capable of bringing together agriculture, industry, logistics, and the Anatolian hinterland in one place. This is not a difference to be underestimated. The European Union’s Strategic Autonomy Cannot Be Built Without Türkiye This picture is also highly important from the perspective of the European Union. Europe today sees, on one hand, the pressure of excessive dependence on the U.S. security umbrella, and on the other, the cost of dependence on China for production and technology. According to Reuters, the European Commission is trying to reduce dependence on China through new domestic content rules along a “Made in EU” line. Von der Leyen has also openly said that Europe must become more independent. Kaja Kallas, meanwhile, argued both that the U.S. is trying to divide Europe and that Europe still remains dependent on American defense procurement. In other words, Europe wants strategic autonomy, but has not yet been able to fully establish it. My view on this is clear: if the European Union wants to reduce excessive security dependence on the United States, balance excessive production dependence on China, and establish real strategic autonomy, it cannot do so by leaving Türkiye outside. For Europe, Türkiye is not merely a neighboring country; it is one of the indispensable partners in terms of energy, logistics, production, defense, and demographic dynamism. No strategic autonomy that fails to take Türkiye into account at Europe’s southeastern gateway can be realistic. The Ankara-Mersin Industrial Backbone As I also emphasized from the podium of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, the real move that will relieve Marmara is to spread production southward, into the Mersin-Çukurova basin, and from there into the interior of Anatolia. The state is taking a correct step in considering new industrial investment zones along the Samsun-Mersin line. But the truly major transformation lies hidden in the new production backbones to be established along the Ankara-Mersin and Eastern Anatolia-Mersin axes. The Ankara-Mersin/Çukurova Industrial Corridor that I propose is not merely a chain of factories. It is a prosperity backbone that connects arid lands to production, develops towns, and integrates villages into product and supply chains. The Eastern Anatolia-Mersin axis should be considered with the same logic. In this way, production will not be concentrated in only a few centers, but will spread through the capillaries of Anatolia. Mersin Port and Çukurova’s infrastructure will then become the main gateway opening this production to the world. The Greatest Threat: Suffocating the Opportunity Through Lack of Planning Here, the greatest danger lies not outside, but inside. That danger is lack of planning, fragmented decision-making, and a short-term outlook. If you think of the port separately, the airport separately, industry separately, and urbanization separately, you will suffocate this great opportunity before it is even born. Indeed, in my own writings for years I have argued that if the area north of the port is burdened with misguided planning that will squeeze logistics, Mersin will be left breathless. Therefore, the issue is not merely attracting investment. The issue is to establish a new geography of production with reason, planning, and state seriousness. Addressing Mersin with a “Special Planning and Pilot Region” approach, and considering the port, free zone, airport, railway, industrial zones, and settlement pattern under a single strategy, is no longer a matter of choice, but a national necessity. Conclusion: The Issue Is Not Seeing, but Building The war in the Middle East has shown us energy fragility. The China-Taiwan tension is once again reminding us of technological fragility. The world has entered a new era. In this era, the winners will not only be those who produce at the lowest cost, but those who establish the safest, most resilient, and best-planned basins. Türkiye is a strong country in this age. Mersin-Çukurova Zone is one of the strongest candidate basins of this age. Its strengths are clear: port, airport, agriculture, industry, and hinterland come together in the same geography. Its weak side is also clear: its global investment perception and brand power are not yet at Dubai’s level. The opportunity is before us: as energy and technology chokepoints become fragile at the same time, the world is searching for new safe centers. The threat is also obvious: if we allow this region to grow without planning, we will erode its advantage with our own hands. The conclusion I reach is clear: Türkiye will grow not by inflating Marmara even more, but by building new backbones such as Mersin-Çukurova Zone. Europe, too, can move closer to real strategic autonomy not by excluding Türkiye, but by advancing together with Türkiye. This is not the time to watch this potential. It is the time to build it with a main container port, smart industrial corridors, and a strong institutional foundation based on the rule of law. In the new age, the winners will not be those whose showcases shine, but those whose backbones are strong. Until my next article, stay well. Footnote: Çukurova International Airport currently operates with an annual passenger capacity of 9 million and a staged expansion structure: DHMI’s ( General Directorate Of State Airports Authority ) strategic plan indicates that the first two phases provide roughly 8 million passengers a year, with third-phase investments to start once demand reaches 9 million, while earlier official project descriptions pointed to a full-build potential of up to 30 million passengers annually. Mersin International Port is being expanded from 2.6 million TEU to 3.6 million TEU, with the upgraded terminal designed to handle two 400-meter mega container vessels simultaneously. The wider Eastern Mediterranean logistics arc also includes LimakPort İskenderun , with capacity above 1 million TEU, and Ceyport Taşucu , with listed annual capacity of 100,000 TEU in containers and 3 million tons in general and bulk cargo. In parallel, official planning has continued to keep additional container-port investment in the region, including the Mersin container-port studies, on the agenda.

Ayhan Kızıltan, ben@ayhankiziltan.com , Mersin, Türkiye 19.10.2025 " Within the framework of the series PROJECTS FROM MERSIN TO TÜRKİYE , I have authored this article to underscore Mersin’s pivotal role and influence on regional economic growth. " The most accurate way to understand a city is not merely to look within its administrative borders, but to perceive its influence extending far beyond them. Mersin is exactly such a city. This is because Mersin gains its true significance when evaluated not just through internal investments, but alongside the vast geography of its hinterland. THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF THE HINTERLAND Mersin’s hinterland encompasses a massive geography within Türkiye, stretching from Central Anatolia to the Southeast, and from the Eastern Mediterranean to the broader Mediterranean basin. Approximately 20 million people living in this region reach the global stage via Mersin through their agricultural produce, industrial goods, and tourism potential. In essence, Mersin’s impact begins in Adana and resonates through Gaziantep, Konya, Kayseri, and Şanlıurfa. CONNECTIONS WITH CENTRAL ANATOLIA Central Anatolian cities such as Niğde, Konya, and Kayseri are the most vital components of Mersin’s hinterland. The agricultural output, industrial commodities, and logistical requirements of these provinces reach European, African, and Middle Eastern markets through the Port of Mersin. Consequently, every investment made in Mersin’s ports or railways directly shapes the economic destiny of Central Anatolia. For instance, wheat originating from Konya reaches the world’s dinner tables by being exported through the Port of Mersin. Therefore, every logistical investment in Mersin directly dictates the pace of development in Central Anatolia. INTEGRATION WITH THE SOUTHEAST Southeastern cities like Gaziantep, Adıyaman, and Şanlıurfa are becoming major powerhouses in agricultural and industrial production. Mersin serves as an indispensable gateway for these products to reach international markets. In particular, the construction of the Mersin–Adana–Gaziantep high-speed train line will strengthen the bond between the region and Mersin, reducing logistics costs by up to 30%. This line will also constitute the infrastructure for regional integration. THE COMPLEMENTARY ROLE OF THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN Adana, Hatay, and Osmaniye are both agricultural and commercial partners of Mersin. When the fertile lands of Çukurova, its citrus production, and industrial potential merge with the Port of Mersin, the Eastern Mediterranean’s window to the world grows even stronger. Citrus fruits grown in the fertile soil of Çukurova reach the European market thanks to the Port of Mersin. This cooperation accelerates the development of the Eastern Mediterranean and creates regional synergy. INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS Mersin’s hinterland is not limited to Türkiye; it serves as a commercial and logistical bridge from the Caucasus to Russia, and from the Balkans to every corner of Europe. Furthermore, countries such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan utilize Mersin as a logistics hub to access global markets. This renders Mersin a strategic city not only in economic terms but also regarding regional peace and cooperation. TOURISM AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT The cities within Mersin’s hinterland possess a rich historical and cultural heritage. This cultural axis, stretching from Göbeklitepe to Cappadocia and from Antakya to Tarsus, can be transformed into an integrated tourism destination via Mersin. In this way, both economic and cultural development can be achieved simultaneously. Mersin, when considered alongside its hinterland, is one of the most critical key cities in Türkiye’s regional development strategy. An investment made in Mersin directly influences the economic, social, and cultural life of the vast geography behind it. Hence, Mersin is more than a city; it is a region. INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS   : COORDINATION AND COLLECTIVE WISDOM Strengthening the ties Mersin establishes with its hinterland in the coming period will provide momentum to Türkiye’s development goals. Every investment in Mersin will serve the socio-economic structure of the hinterland, creating added value across a wide spectrum from agriculture to industry, and commerce to tourism. The fate of the region will be determined not by cities competing with one another, but through coordinated, simultaneous, and planned cooperation. The public and private sectors acting in unison will maximize the region’s potential. CONCLUSION: MORE THAN A CITY It is impossible to evaluate Mersin in isolation. To understand the city, one must see its hinterland; to see its hinterland, one must understand Mersin. When these two concepts complement each other, the resulting picture represents a powerful development vision not just for Mersin, but for the whole of Türkiye. To view Mersin merely as a city is to miss the big picture. When considered with its hinterland, this city is a strategic cornerstone on Türkiye’s development map. Mersin is the intersection of production, logistics, culture, and peace. Every investment scales up not only Mersin but also the fields of Konya, the factories of Gaziantep, the history of Şanlıurfa, the citrus groves of Hatay, the industry of Kayseri, and the hopes of Adıyaman. This city is a development corridor stretching from the heart of Anatolia to the shores of the Mediterranean. Mersin is not just a port; it is a gateway. But most importantly: Mersin is a vision for the future. We will be here again next week. Stay well until we meet for the fourth part of our series, PROJECTS FROM MERSIN TO TÜRKİYE . Note: I am open to suggestions and critiques that may contribute to my writings. Please forward your feedback to my email address at ben@ayhankiziltan.com and via my social media pages.

According to TRT news, Arab countries Jordan, Egypt and Iran just condemned the attack of Israel to Refah. One-Man Rulers and their families sit on oil fields in the Middle East and enjoy the wealth that comes from there. In order to maintain the PROSPERITY  and WELFARE of themselves and their families, they cannot resist the City of REFAH (Refah means Prosperity in English) attack and the MASSACRE , and they cannot interfere with Israel. MAY YOUR WELFARE CONTINUE TO INCREASE, ONE-MAN RULERS! THE WELFARE OF THE PALESTINE PEOPLE SHOULD BE BOMBED! The threat is clear: Israel says; “ BE CLEVER, WHAT HAPPENED TO PALESTINE WILL HAPPEN TO YOU TOO, I HAVE A STRONG BACK, NO ONE CAN OPPOSE ME, I WILL DESTROY ALL OF YOUR SULTANATES .” Do they want to be deprived of their ostentatious palaces, lavish tables, carousing nights, luxury and ostentation? They betray their people, yes, they are used to betrayal. They always takes on the strongest side and betrays those they see as weak... Didn't they betray the Ottoman Empire by teaming up with the British? Didn't they massacre the hungry, thirsty, sick and wounded Turkish Soldiers in the deserts and hand over the heads of our martyrs to the British? Didn't they stab the Ottoman Empire from behind and get kingdoms in return and sit on the oil wealth? That's why they are incorrigible and will not incorrigible. They can't raise their voices now, and if they do, Israel will hit them and destroy their sultanate... IF DEMOCRACY DOES NOT COME TO THE MIDDLE EAST, ALL THESE FICTIONAL STATES WILL BE DESTROYED !

Ayhan Kızıltan, ben@ayhankiziltan.com , İMECE Newspaper , Mersin 10 May 2024 Hello World… The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced its decision regarding the request for interim measures in the GENOCIDE case filed by the Republic of South Africa against Israel. The Republic of South Africa's reasons for the case were obviously accepted by the ICJ... This interim decision does not stipulate a ceasefire; in other words, in the genocide lawsuit filed by the Republic of South Africa, the request that "The State of Israel should immediately stop its military operations in Gaza" was not received positively. However, the decision orders Israel to refrain from any action related to killing, attack and destruction against the residents of Gaza and to take all measures to prevent genocide. It is said that this decision paved the way for Israel to be tried for genocide. The fact that a ceasefire was not agreed upon made Israel happy... Israel will submit a report on this issue within a month; however, since there is no ceasefire, Israel will be able to continue the massacre. What will happen if Israel does not take these measures and continues the massacre? Come on, the staunch supporters of Israel are the USA and Germany! What do you say? GENOCIDEISTS… Very interesting; the relationship between the USA, Germany and Israel is really interesting! Germany committed the world's most brutal and systematic genocide against the Jewish nation... He killed approximately 6 million European Jews. The USA came to Europe and declared war on Germany to save the Jewish Nation. In fact, they are also remembered for committing genocide against Native Indians. Israel is a state founded by a nation that suffered genocide by the Germans. Israel, which has experienced this pain, is now accused of committing genocide against the Palestinians… All three together, all three are guilty! Two are the instigators and the other is the one who commits the crime... NATO VISA FOR SWEDEN FROM TÜRKİYE… Yes, Türkiye gave Sweden a visa for NATO! What in return? In exchange for being able to purchase 40 F16 aircraft, which we will pay for… They only promise Türkiye, if Türkiye signs the F16s for Sweden. We also say; Then Sweden should also promise that it will not support terrorism... Sweden's big brother, the USA, says give, give, promise, don't worry... They only promise, but Türkiye signs the entrance visa for NATO. So Türkiye is a DEALMAKER! Do they keep their promises? You think so? TO THE YOUTH… QUESTION, THINK, IDEAS... Young people, what do you think about these things? This time, give us your advice... Please write me, my email: ben@ayhankiziltan.com See you next time....

As banks cut back on lending, loan sharks will take their place. The ongoing COST of LIVING and BUSINESS CRISIS , which arose from the Economic Crisis that Turkey is suffering impacts the finances of many households and companies across Türkiye. The violence of the impact increases day by day. At a time when people are looking for cash support to meet their debts or needs, LOAN SHARKS may be looking for their victims, ATTENTION! In addition to being a credit-addicted country, our people have also become credit-addicted. Many economists explain the reason for this almost every evening... The point we have reached is SAVING, that is, BELT TIGHTENING! Factors such as politicians' reckless and unplanned administrations, introducing faulty programs, the formation of a gaudy public society, making investments at costs well above the budget, corruption, irregularities, and allowing the import of unnecessary luxury products naturally increase inflation. Bitter prescriptions are written and bitter medicines are given to the public as if they were the people who spend too much money. Neither small nor medium-sized companies can survive on their own terms anymore... The fat of the people has already been absorbed, and the fat of those engaged in trade has been burned and dried. People moan about cash. Let the money taps be opened, at least let the markets revive... Inflation cannot be reduced anyway. Let the markets revive, and at least small tradesmen and businesses can make money. Nowadays it is very easy to calculate the cost of everything. It is necessary to maintain balance. The government should write the bitter prescription to the owners of money whose source is unknown, those who receive tenders at high prices, and the privileged groups whose taxes are canceled by special laws and decrees, and make them drink the bitter medicine.

Ayhan Kızıltan, ben@ayhankiziltan.com , Mersin 05 June 2024 I said that I would occasionally tell about interesting events that I experienced during my term as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry . Please find below one of them: Source: MTSO News, Newspaper Issue: 417 MTSO Facebook Sharing On November 19, 2021, the then Consul General in Ankara, Ms. Jane Howell, came to visit Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry with Adana Consulate Economic Affairs Manager Reaz Mehdi and Economic Affairs Specialist Mutlu Sevindik. We exchanged ideas about our region. She caught my attention; while she was talking to me her eyes were constantly fixed on the coffee table in front of her; I was curious about that and asked: "What are you looking at, Ms. Consul General?" Meanwhile, she leaned over and said something to Mr. Mutlu, who was sitting next to her. Mr. Mutlu showed the copy of the MTSO News Newspaper No. 417 dated 14-27 November 2021, standing on the coffee table in front of them. And he said, "Did Mr. President KIZILTAN put this newspaper in front of me specifically so that I could see it? the Consul General asks”. The newspaper headline was " KIZILTAN: DIPLOMACY MOBILIZATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE RECOGNITION OF TRNC TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS ". It wasn't an uninteresting title, really. There was laughter; “This week's issue of the MTSO News; we always leave our publications on the tables for our guests to read. This number of the newspaper just coincided with you,” I said, and there was laughter again. “If you want, I can give you the newspaper, so that you take it with you” I said with a smile. “Thank you, I already told Mr. Mutlu to take the newspaper. I will take it to the Ambassador and show it to him," the Consul General replied. That issue of the newspaper was published after our visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as MTSO Board, and evaluations of the issues that came to the fore during our contacts were written. Chambers of Commerce and Industry include both commerce, industry, culture-art and also DIPLOMACY. WHEN THE TIME COMES, YOU HAVE TO PUT THE STONE INTO THE GAP! (This is a Turkish idiom with a very subtle meaning like “hit/strike the right note” or “hit the nail right on the head”)

Ayhan Kızıltan, ben@ayhankiziltan.com , Mersin 15 Jun 2024 Happy Holidays Turkey! I also wish Fathers a Happy Father's Day. The interest groups formed in the NAME OF ISLAM to manage people by keeping them away from questioning and thinking are causing GREAT DAMAGE to ISLAM . I have to tell this fact. You cannot be religious with hearsay! Ostensible piety is completely unacceptable! Piety is not a showcase! Never pretend to be religious in order to gain favor with anyone other than Allah.! Never pretend to be religious, especially for profit! Otherwise you are a religion exploiter (who uses religion for personal gain), in other words, you are a merchant of religion! You can only be devoutly religious by reading, understanding, using your mind, listening to your conscience; otherwise, you will become a puppet of the religion exploiters whom I mentioned above. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE ISLAM RELIGION: ISLAM IS THE RELIGION OF UNITY: ""Your god is one."" IT CARES THE MIND: "According to the Quran, those who do not use their minds correctly are condemned." IT IS A UNIVERSAL RELIGION: “Sent to all humanity.” IT IS THE RELIGION OF CONVENIENCE: "Extremism, immoderation and difficulty have no place in it." IT IS A RELIGION OF PEACE:  "Do not say, 'You are not a believer'. Because excluding a person because of her/his belief or questioning her/his Muslimness disrupts the peace among believers. The authority to question people's beliefs is not a human. Whoever kills a person unjustly is as if he had killed all people." IT IS THE RELIGION OF LOVE: “You cannot enter heaven unless you believe. Unless you love each other, you cannot truly believe. Shall I tell you something that you will love each other when you do it? Spread the greetings among yourselves.” IT IS A RELIGION FAR FROM EXCESSIVES: “O people of the book! "Do not unjustly exaggerate your religion." THIS IS THE RELIGION OF THIS WORLD AND THE AFTERHEAD: "Islam is the religion of this world and the hereafter; there is no distinction between religion and world in Islam. Allah created everything on earth for humans. It is not forbidden in our religion for humans to benefit from these created blessings. A human being may want both worlds to be beautiful. The following prayer is taught on this subject: Our Lord! Give us goodness in this world and goodness in the hereafter.” ISLAM IS THE RELIGION OF CREATION: "From a narration coming from our Prophet, we understand that the nature of human is the ability to accept God: Every human being is born with nature (tendency to accept the existence and unity of God). After that, his parents make him a Jewish, a Christian and a Zoroastrian." ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF GOOD MORALITY: "The religion of Islam has many moral principles such as observing the rights, being good to others, helping, working and not beg for others, being gentle, compassionate towards the poor and the needy, having a sense of shame, being good to children, being generous and made people happy with these principles." ISLAM ORDERS GOODNESS AND PROHIBITS EVIL: "Islam has introduced the rule of commanding goodness and forbidding evil in order to keep the social structure solid. The duty of this rule is to remind a person or a society of any bad behavior and to recommend the path of goodness. Purely for the consent of God and the welfare of the society unkind and unemotional criticism made on the spot protects the character of the society from deterioration. ISLAM ORDERS CLEANLINESS: "Our Prophet also stated how important cleanliness is in our religion by saying that cleanliness is half of faith." PRIESTHOOD IS FORBIDDEN IN ISLAM: "There is no priesthood in Islam. Therefore, everyone can repent for the sins they have committed and ask God for forgiveness. The duty of Islamic scholars consists only of explaining religious principles, showing the right path and enlightening people with sermons and advice." ISLAM HAS ESTABLISHED THE BALANCE OF THIS WORLD AND THE AFTERLIFE: "It is a religion that approaches a person's matter and meaning at the same distance and therefore establishes the balance of the world and the hereafter." ISLAM IS THE RELIGION OF FREEDOM AND EQUALITY: "According to Islam, every human being comes to the world free; she/he has the freedom of ideas and thoughts. But freedoms are not unlimited. One person's freedom extends to the point where the freedom of another begins. Islam values ​​people as human beings, regardless of race, color, language and wealth, and states that superiority can only come from faith and piety." Follow the rules above and be a good Muslim! I also advise you to seriously question the followings and remember them well… BEING A MUSLIM IS NOT BECOMING AN ARABIC PERSON! THERE IS NO JAMAAT, TAREKAT, SHEIKH, SHIKH, ETC. IN ISLAM; GOD HAS GAVE PEOPLE BRAINS AND WANTS THIS BRAIN TO BE USED BY ITS OWNER. YOU CANNOT RENT YOUR MIND! NO ONE CAN PERCEIVE FORCE, PRESSURE, VIOLENCE OR CRUELTY IN THE NAME OF GOD. NO ONE CAN USE THE POWER OF GOD! THERE IS NO COMPULSION, PRESSURE, VIOLENCE OR OPPRESSION IN ISLAM! THERE IS TOLERANCE IN ISLAM! WHERE ARE THESE FEATURES? WHY DON'T WE IMPLEMENT THESE FEATURES? WHY ARE MUSLIM PEOPLE WHO SUIT THESE CHARACTERISTICS NOT RAISED? LET PEOPLE COME AND LIVE ISLAM RELIGION WITH SUCH BEAUTIFUL FEATURES. WHY THESE LIES, WHY THIS COERCION, WHY THESE INSULTS, WHY THIS SEVERITY, WHY THIS OPPRESSION, WHY THIS VIOLENCE? ASK YOURSELF AND ANSWER YOURSELF BY USING THE MIND GAVE BY GOD: WHY IS THE ENTIRE ISLAMIC WORLD LEFT BEHIND? WHY IS THE ISLAMIC WORLD FIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER? YOU CAN ASK YOURSELF MANY QUESTIONS LIKE THESE AND IF YOU USE YOUR MIND YOU WILL GIVE YOURSELF THE ANSWERS… GIVE UP PLAYING WITH RELIGION, BE SMART! Goodbye, I wish you a happy holiday. We will be here again next week…

Ayhan Kızıltan, ben@ayhankiziltan.com , Mersin 02 August 2024 Israel is committing a massacre with extraordinary audacity… In Turkish, they call this audacity of Israel “ IGNORANT COURAGE ”. They call Benjamin Netanyahu “ BLOODY EYED ”. The United States of America, on the other hand, is seen as the instigator of Israel by increasing the audacity of this ignorant… Equipped with all sorts of technological weapons and protective equipment by the USA, the government of a nation that has suffered genocide is going through on a path of no return… GENOCIDE PERPETRATORS ARE FORCING A NATION THAT HAS SUFFERED GENOCIDE TO COMMIT GENOCIDE… FINALLY THE USA AND ITS APRENTICE ISRAEL HAVE SCREWED UP THE WORLD! According to the plan designed by the US on the Promised Land (Arz-ı mev'ûd), Israel is trying to expand its borders and create an Israel that includes almost all of the Middle East and all of the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey , as well as the Eastern Mediterranean Region and parts of the Eastern Anatolia Region … There are various maps showing this Promised Land; I researched and shared one of the most interesting ones in this article.… Those living in Turkey and in the Middle East should examine and read this map carefully! Do not be fooled by empty promises… Finally, the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh has shown that “ NO POLITICIAN, LEADERS AND STATESMEN ARE SAFE IN THE WORLD ANYMORE! ” CNN reported from a source that Haniyeh was killed by an explosive device placed in a guesthouse in Tehran two months before the explosion. Whether by missile or explosive, it doesn’t matter how, if you are not in the interest of the US, you will be destroyed… BE CAREFUL ALL! ALL POLITICIANS, LEADERS AND STATESMEN SHOULD WATCH THEMSELVES!

Ayhan Kızıltan, ben@ayhankiziltan.com , Mersin 20 September 2024 They've gone crazy! The CIA is apparently providing Israel with the technology to remotely detonate electronic communication devices. This is literally piracy ! Billions of communication devices such as radios, pagers, telephones, tablet computers are being used in the world... The whole world should know that no one is safe in any country. He has this technology and can kill anyone he wants by hacking their phones... His excuse would be: Those we killed were terrorists. That's all! All the countries importing technological electronic communication devices should immediately stop importing these products. Because nobody is safe! For the safety of their citizens, all countries should declare that imports of these devices are stopped until the manufacturers prove and guarantee that their products are safe. In other words, an EMBARGO SHOULD BE APPLIED to those who produce these devices!