Türkiye and World Agenda Discussed at the School of Politics

In the 3rd week of the School of Politics organized by the School of Government and Leadership, the agenda of Türkiye and the world was discussed.

The first session began with journalist and author Dr. Hüsnü Mahalliassessing "The Middle East in Light of Recent Developments" . Stating that he is a person of that region, Mahalli said that he does not use the term Middle East and calls the region "our geography." He emphasized that he had seen all the wars in the region and followed them as a journalist, and that what he described was concrete information. He stated that what is happening today is the plan for 30 years from now. Emphasizing that the situation in the Middle East is getting worse, he added that many people die in these lands every day and no one hears about them.

“"Press Freedom" was discussed in the second session with the participation of Press Council Chair Pınar Türenç. She stated that throughout her professional life she has worked with a sense of duty and for people. Referring to the purpose of the Press Council, Türenç said they work for press freedom and press advocacy in Türkiye. She emphasized that a free press means a free society and stated that a democracy without freedom is defective. Referring to censorship, she noted that journalists are put under pressure by the state and some media organizations while doing their jobs, and that they practice self-censorship.

The third session featured Democratic Left Party Chair and former Minister of State of the Republic of Türkiye Dr. Masum Türker assessing "A Look at Domestic and Foreign Policy". Referring to three different agendas in Türkiye, Türker stated that the first is the agenda presented by the media, the second is the "real" agenda such as poverty, and the last is the agenda created by various power centers, agents and those who govern the state. He also offered advice to those who will engage in politics: to be principled, to have faith and to believe in idealism. Stating that honesty can be added to these, Türker emphasized that honesty means being open and transparent in one's work and observing the public interest.

In the fourth session, former Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Dr. Mehmet Hilmi Güler assessed " “ New Developments in Global Energy and the Near Future". He stated that energy is not limited to what we use in our homes and cars. He emphasized that the region to Türkiye's east produces oil while the region to its west consumes it, making Türkiye a bridge carrying oil from east to west, and noted that its diplomacy with countries has advanced as a result. Referring to wind energy, Güler said that our country and our neighbors are rich in this respect and that wind turbines could be produced and sold. Finally, he emphasized that the reserves in our country are sold to foreign investors wishing to buy them only up to a certain quota, not in their entirety.

The final session featured " The Stance of the West and Russia on Developments in Ukraine and Syria", assessed by Yeditepe University faculty member Prof. Dr. Mesut Hakkı Caşın . He emphasized that very important events are taking place in Syria and Ukraine, noting that while a civil war is going on in Syria, demonstrations continue in Ukraine. Referring to the events in Syria, Caşın reminded that Syria is the 4th country to use chemical weapons. He stated that Ukraine is a country caught between the EU and Russia and has a trade volume of 4 billion dollars with Türkiye. He noted that the events in the country are economically driven and, referring to the crisis in Ukraine, added that economic aid has come from Russia in this situation.