31 January marks the Azerbaijan Republic’s Founding Leader Memmed Emin Resulzade’s 142th Birth Day.
In 28 May 1918, him and a group of visionary, modernizing Azerbaijani Turkish statesmen created an independent democratic republic in south Caucasus. We honour him and all who have contributed in one way or another to envisioning, creation and survival and re-emergence on the Azerbaijan Republic and State.
31 Ocak / Yanvar 1884, BÖYÜK MƏMMƏD ƏMİN RƏSULZADƏ’NİN 142-ci DOĞUM GÜNÜ / ANIM GÜNÜDÜR.
Ji Hyun Kim – Wisdom Korean War Veteran Organization of Media Representative Astoria – Queens – New York
Dear Wisdom,
Warm greetings to you.
For more than 25 years, you have honored our community through your heartfelt representation of the heroic Turkish Korean War Veterans. Many of us in the Turkish-American community know this well, including numerous Turkish military officers who have served in New York throughout the last quarter century. In fact, past Turkish Military Advisors still ask about your health and remember your dedication with great appreciation.
My dear friend, I write to you with a sincere and respectful request: that you kindly refrain from sending further correspondence to the current Consul General of Türkiye, Mr. M. Ahmet Yazal. Unlike his predecessors who valued your efforts, engaged with the community, and showed genuine respect Mr. Yazal has not demonstrated the qualities deserving of the honor you traditionally extend to the office of the Consul General Figures such as Volkan Bozkır, Yusuf Buluc, Fuat Tanlay, Mehmet Nuri Ezen, Ömer Önhon, Mehmet Samsar, Mustafa Levent Bilgen, Ertan Yalçın, Alper Aktaş, and Reyhan Özgür.
Most painfully, Mr. Yazal refused to attend the funeral of the highest-ranking and most decorated Turkish Korean War Veteran in the United States, who passed away in January 2025. This veteran was not only honored by the United States military for his heroism, but was the most decorated Turkish veteran recognized in America for his service during the Korean War. For our community, his funeral was a moment of profound respect and national pride. For Mr. Yazal, it was a moment ignored. We view this as an insult not only to the memory of a heroic Turkish soldier, but to the dignity of the Turkish nation itself.
No Consul General in our community’s history has shown such disregard. For more than 40 years, we have not seen a Consul General perform so poorly in representing the Republic of Türkiye or in engaging the community that funds and supports the very institution he represents.
A Consul General’s role is not merely ceremonial. It is a position funded by taxpayers, meant to maintain relationships, foster diplomacy, support citizens of the sending state, and actively engage with community, civic organizations, veterans, religious leaders, city officials, diplomats, and Americans of goodwill. When this engagement breaks, the mission of the Consulate suffers and the image of Türkiye is damaged.
For these reasons, I am urging friends in our American community including diplomats, veterans’ organizations, civic leaders, and city officials to suspend engagement with Mr. Yazal. He has not earned the respect nor the honor you have so generously extended to previous Consul Generals who valued your contributions and the contributions of our veterans.
You have always stood with those who served this nation and the Republic of Türkiye. Your moral clarity has never gone unnoticed, and it continues to inspire those of us who believe that respect must be earned, not assumed.
With my highest regards and respect,
Ibrahim Kurtulus
Honorary South Korean Citizen Honorary Korean War Veteran
Georgia’s municipal elections, held on October 4, 2025, ended with a decisive victory for the ruling “Georgian Dream” party. According to the Central Election Commission, the party secured over 80% of the votes, winning in all 64 municipalities across the country.
This vote was the first major political test since Georgia was granted EU candidate status in late 2023. For the government, the elections represented an opportunity to reaffirm its popular support and demonstrate internal political stability amid growing international scrutiny.
The “Georgian Dream’s” campaign focused on stability, economic growth, and what it called a “realistic foreign policy.” Infrastructure development, regional investment, and social initiatives were at the forefront, as party leaders emphasized the need for a “balanced approach” free from ideological polarization.
Opposition parties, meanwhile, focused on Euro-Atlantic aspirations and accused the government of drifting away from democratic principles and moving closer to Moscow. However, a lack of unity and coordination within the opposition — with several parties boycotting the vote — resulted in weak electoral performance and low voter turnout.
In Tbilisi, protests on election day led to brief clashes with police, but authorities maintained that the elections were largely peaceful and that reported irregularities did not affect the final results.
Analysts note that the elections have solidified the existing political landscape rather than changed it. “Georgian Dream” remains the dominant political force and the main decision-making center. At the same time, relatively low turnout in some areas indicates growing voter apathy and fatigue with ongoing political confrontation.
Ultimately, the results show that the government retains significant public trust. Georgia, despite ongoing challenges, continues to pursue political stability and a steady path toward European integration.
On October 4, 2025, Georgia will hold municipal elections that will determine the future direction of major cities — Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, and others. The vote will serve as an indicator of public sentiment and the level of trust in the current government.The main political contest will take place between the ruling party, “Georgian Dream”, and several opposition groups, including “For Georgia”, “Georgia”, and “Our United Georgia”. Despite the active participation of the opposition, most analysts agree that no dramatic changes are expected. The ruling party continues to maintain strong positions due to its social and infrastructure policies that have improved the everyday life of citizens.Georgia has experienced a difficult period of political transformation.
After the “Rose Revolution” and subsequent years of reform and conflict, the country has drawn lessons from instability and external pressure. Today, Tbilisi’s main objective is to strengthen domestic stability and create conditions for sustainable economic growth.Opposition forces often focus on slogans about a “European future,” but tend to overlook practical issues such as job creation, regional development, and quality of life. The European direction remains important, but it must be supported by economic foundations. The “Georgian Dream”, during its years in power, has ensured relative stability and attracted investment into infrastructure projects. Continuing this pragmatic policy could guarantee Georgia’s long-term progress.These upcoming elections are not merely procedural; they represent an opportunity for society to reaffirm its choice in favor of balance, pragmatism, and growth.
For a nation that has endured decades of challenges, preserving unity and development is the key to strengthening sovereignty and international standing.
Frankly, I believe Trump is deliberately trying to stop the brain drain to America.
The anti-immigrant movement, strict visa requirements, and deportations for trivial reasons are creating deep anxiety among students, tourists, and those who want to do business with the United States.
Just a few days ago, they raided Hyundai’s factory.
For minor paperwork issues or even arbitrary reasons, people were handcuffed from behind as if they were prisoners of war.
Hyundai even issued a warning for those planning to travel to America.
As far as I can see, U.S. tourism has also collapsed.
These are all deliberate obstacles.
The tariffs are an additional deterrent.
Even John Deere, a domestic and national American company, decided to move all of its investments to Mexico under pressure.
Companies operating in the Great Lakes region in cooperation with Canada have been put in a difficult position.
U.S. companies forced by Washington to relocate their investments from China to India have also run into trouble.
Trump’s open territorial claims toward Mexico, Canada, Denmark, and Panama have created shock in the Western world.
His humiliating behavior—such as seating Western leaders below him—or Vice President J.D. Vance wagging his finger and using threatening language against them, are all carefully noted incidents.
The MAGA movement has been hijacked.
Zionists have stolen the movement through Trump.
None of the current actions align with the true agenda of MAGA.
Even American strategists admit that the higher interests of the United States are being trampled.
And they all, unfortunately, concede that there is no choice but to bow to the power of the Jewish lobby.
Trump and his team are deliberately dismantling the Western alliance.
They are trying to create division and polarization within the U.S.
They knowingly empower the arguments of Confederates.
They are intentionally violating the constitutional rights of the united states that make up America.
They are working to undermine the U.S. judiciary, as well as the military and civil bureaucracy.
It is as if they are pursuing the doctrine of *Ab Ordo Chaos*—first destroy, then rebuild.
Every move they make serves only to delay, obstruct, and weaken America’s military and economic confrontation with China—ultimately buying China more power and time.
Trump is a puppet.
The oligarchy pulling his strings has already made its decision.
They will dismantle the U.S. in every sense.
They will plunder all of its wealth.
They will exploit America’s military and economic strength to the last drop.
And once it is completely drained, they will leave it to fend for itself—fractured by endless economic, political, and religious strife.
The Strategic Importance of Georgia for the Western World and Türkiye
Today’s official visit by the President of Georgia to the Republic of Türkiye comes at a moment of both opportunity and urgency. Georgia is more than a friendly neighbor to Türkiye; it is a strategic partner whose stability, territorial integrity, and prosperity are vital to the security architecture of the Caucasus, the Black Sea region, and by extension, the Western world.
Türkiye stands as Georgia’s largest foreign investor, a testament to decades of economic and political cooperation. Yet, this relationship must move beyond the economic sphere into a firmer, more visible commitment to defending Georgia’s sovereignty. For Türkiye, safeguarding Georgia’s territorial integrity is not an act of charity it is a matter of self-interest. The security of Georgia directly affects the security of Türkiye’s northeastern provinces, including Rize, Cayeli , Pazar , Artvin, Trabzon, and Giresun, areas bound by centuries of cultural and commercial ties.
Georgia’s strategic location cannot be overstated. It serves as a critical transit corridor connecting the Caspian basin to European markets via the Baku / Tbilisi / Ceyhan oiil pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor. These routes bypass Russia and Iran, ensuring energy diversification for Europe and strengthening the resilience of NATO allies against energy coercion. In addition, the Baku–Tbilisi / Kars railway links the economies of the South Caucasus with Türkiye and onweard to Europe, creating a secure, alternative trade artery.
For the Western world, Georgia is a keystone in the effort to maintain open sea lanes in the Black Sea and secure overland routes for goods, energy, and information. NATO and the EU have reapeatedly emphasized the importance of Georgia’s role in regional stability. Institutions such as the European Parliament, the Atlantic Council, and the OSCE have all stressed that a secure, sovereign Georgia is indispensable to countering malign influence in the Caucasus.
The shadow of Russian aggression, most vividly seen in the illegal occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia since 2008, is a constant reminder that peace in the Caucasus is fragile. Türkiye, as both a NATO member and a regional power, must send a clear and unequivocal message: the hands of Russia must be kept off Georgia. Public and decisive support for Georgia will not only bolster its resilience but will also signal to Moscow that destabilizing the South Caucasus will come at a cost.
As someone of Laz heritage, I feel a deep personal connection to Georgia also because of the friends I have in Georgia . The Laz people straddle the historical and cultural landscapes of northeastern Türkiye and western Georgia. Our shared Black Sea heritage is more than folklore it is a living bond that links our communities in Rize, Artvin, Trabzon, and Giresun with our Georgian neighbors. Any instability in Georgia reverberates immediately across the Black Sea region, threatening trade, tourism, fisheries, and cross-border cultural exchange.
Now is the time for Türkiye to expand its political, military, and economic support to Georgia. This includes enhancing defense cooperation, deepening intelligence sharing, investing in infrastructure that cements Georgia’s role as a reliable transit hub, and advocating for its integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. In doing so, Türkiye will not only be acting in solidarity with the Georgian people but also protecting its own security and advancing the collective stability of the Black Sea region.
Georgia’s strength is Türkiye’s strength, and its seacurity is a cornerstone of both regional and Western security. The visit of Georgia’s President should mark not just a diplomatic occasion, but the beginning of a renewed, strategic commitment from Ankara one that stands firm against aggression and champions a future of sovereignty, prosperity, and peace in the Caucasus.
Respectfully,
Ibrahim Kurtulus Demirhisar Koyu – Rize / Cayeli New York
Azerbaijani Community Association – Ocaq (ACAO)
