Erdoğan has never let Trump down: Palace's tale of victory doesn't provide fortification

Öncü DURMUŞ

The Gaza summit, held in Egypt and transformed into a "peace show," presented a new image of the one-man regime's complete submission to the US . Following AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's search for "legitimacy" during his last meeting with US President Trump, the regime's dependence on imperialism was once again exposed at the peace plan summit.

Making a statement before the peace agreement signed by the US, Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt, Trump said that Erdoğan had never abandoned the US.

Emphasizing Türkiye's military might, Trump also stated that Erdoğan is his friend and is always there for him when he needs him. Trump concluded his speech by thanking Erdoğan for his support.

Although these statements alone reveal the regime's dependence on the United States for its survival, developments did not end there.

Making a statement on the plane returning from Egypt, Erdoğan also heaped praise on Trump.

Stating the importance of diplomacy with Trump, Erdoğan said, “We support and stand behind President Trump’s sincere efforts to end the Gaza conflict and bring lasting peace to the Middle East.”

Behind the appearance of friendship with Trump in the 'peace agreement', there is no doubt that imperialism's new design in the region and the new processes to be carried out in the country lie behind it.

The clearest picture so far is that the Palace regime has completely handed its direction over to the US. The regime has conveyed the message, "We're here whenever you need us," just as Trump said.

The Palace administration, in an effort to maintain its power with Trump's support, has virtually declared that it will gladly increase its dependence even further.

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The Palace will do whatever the US says

Trump's praise for Erdoğan always ends with an emphasis on their support for the US and how they serve the region. Erdoğan, too, has never missed a pass made his way.

My friend Trump did not include any hesitation in his messages saying, “I am ready to take on the task.”

So much so that Trump's words, "This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East. An incredible victory for Israel and the world," which were met with applause in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Tel Aviv, were lost amidst the triumphant cries of the one-man regime.

Erdoğan's response to the question, "Will Turkish troops go to Gaza?" drew attention from officials. Even the question of whether the troops would go to Gaza has become dependent on instructions from Washington. Regarding whether the troops would go, Erdoğan said, "Our colleagues, especially Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, and MIT Director İbrahim Kalın, will meet with their counterparts. I will also be in contact with the leaders."

While the negotiations, which were accelerated by the secret meeting with Trump Jr. and entered the country's agenda with the search for legitimacy, continued with the purchase of Boeing aircraft, the removal of customs duties, and the agreement to purchase liquefied natural gas, Erdoğan's emphasis on Trump diplomacy was the latest sign that the country was completely under US control in the coming period.

THE OUTSIDE IS OK, THE INSIDE NEEDS A STORY

The Palace regime is quite pleased with the point reached under Trump. As the opposition frequently pointed out after the March 19 coup, surrender in foreign policy also became a way to gain consent for an escalation of authoritarianism in domestic politics.

Efforts were made to completely destroy the opposition. The judiciary, media, and law enforcement were mobilized. However, it reached a point where, even in the face of increasing poverty and injustice, amidst so many problems, the government had virtually no chance of convincing the public.

The Palace administration has once again started to roll up its sleeves for a new story.

On the one hand, the "peace songs" sung for the Kurdish issue, and on the other hand, the "peace" discourses to be brought to Gaza under the orders of the US, became the headlines of the story sought to strengthen the regime.

Following the summit held the day before, the entire pro-government press was full of praise for US President Trump's plan yesterday. The "peace plan," which emerged in line with the US's new Middle East design, dominated headlines as a victory for AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Meanwhile, while attempts were being made to portray all segments of society opposing imperialists and the one-man regime as "anti-peace," Erdoğan declared that the fates of Syria and Türkiye were intertwined. "As I said in Manzikert Square," Erdoğan said, "those who turn to Ankara and Damascus will win, while those who seek other protectors will lose."

We'll see in the coming period whether this plan will be sufficient for the Palace administration, which has run out of stories to tell to broad segments of society. However, for a regime with ongoing trade relations with Israel, foreign policy moves that open up space for Israel in the region, and complete obedience to US plans, even the word "peace" is used only to consolidate its own power, and convincing the public of a new narrative is quite difficult. Whether Erdoğan's victory narrative will even convince his own voters remains a separate question.

TRUMP IS NOT ENOUGH, THE REGIME SHOULD NOT BE DISCUSSED

The only thing that could thwart the Palace's plans is public anger against the one-man regime. They know they can't maintain power against the people with either the legitimacy they receive from the White House or the escalation of repressive policies.

Therefore, complete submission to Trump, new victory stories to be used in domestic politics, or even pressure policies against the opposition may not be enough for the ruling bloc to survive.

Therefore, shifting the focus of political activity elsewhere is a primary preference of the regime. Erdoğan's corruption statements targeting opposition municipalities after his return from Egypt, his rhetoric targeting CHP leader Özgür Özel, and MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's persistently pointing the finger at Öcalan in the Kurdish issue, along with yesterday's Alevi initiative, are all linked to this preference of the regime's allies.

From the efforts to create the image of an internal conflict within the opposition to the "legitimacy" image presented in the Palace with other opposition parties, from the isolation of the CHP to the commission discussions that fail to take any concrete steps, every topic is being tried to be put before the fight against the regime.

Therefore, a line of struggle from left to right against the one-man regime will be the biggest factor that will determine the outcome of all these developments.