Turkish Forum

Category: Ibrahim Kurtulus

  • Letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

    Letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

    The Honorable Marco Rubio
    Secretary of State 
    U.S. Department of State
    2201 C Street, NW
    Washington, DC 20520

    Dear Secretary Rubio:

    I write to firmly rebut the recent congressional letter urging the Administration to maintain CAATSA sanctions on the Republic of Türkiye and continue its exclusion from the F-35 program. The arguments advanced in that letter are selective, historically incomplete, and risk undermining not only U.S. relations with Türkiye but also the credibility and cohesion of NATO itself. The assertion that Türkiye “defied” U.S. policy by acquiring the Russian S-400 system ignores a critical fact: for years, Türkiye sought to purchase the American Patriot system but was consistently denied. Confronted with urgent security threats along its borders from hostile actors equipped with ballistic missile capabilities, Türkiye was left without a viable NATO option to safeguard its airspace. To portray this decision as reckless rather than a compelled necessity is to distort history in a way that misinforms policymakers and undermines Alliance unity.

    Equally concerning is the double standard by which Türkiye has been penalized, while other NATO allies including Greece, Bulgaria, and, until recently, Slovakia have long operated Russian origin S-300 systems without facing sanctions or exclusion. Beyond NATO, India, a key U.S. strategic partner, currently deploys the S-400, yet is not subjected to comparable measures. Other states such as Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Armenia also utilize S-300 and S-400 systems, but none are singled out in the same manner as Türkiye from Greek Origin Representatives. It is particularly notable that many of the representatives advocating punitive measures against Türkiye hail from the Greek and Caucasus lobbies, yet they overlook the fact that Greece another NATO ally continues to operate Russian S-300 systems. Such selective criticism exposes the political bias underlying this debate, rather than an objective assessment of Alliance security needs. The selective enforcement of U.S. law raises legitimate questions about whether the motives of those pressing this argument are rooted in broader national security concerns or in narrower regional rivalries.

    Türkiye’s record as the 2nd most powerful NATO ally cannot be ignored. From closing the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits to Russian warships under the Montreux Convention, to providing Ukraine with drones that shifted the battlefield in Kyiv’s favor, Türkiye has done more than most allies to contain Russian aggression. Beyond the battlefield, it was Türkiye that spearheaded the Black Sea Grain Initiative, preventing a global food crisis, and it was Türkiye that mediated delicate negotiations including the release of American citizen Brittney Griner.

     More recently, President Biden himself acknowledged Türkiye’s critical diplomatic role in Gaza negotiations. President Trump himself has underscored the importance of U.S.–Türkiye relations: “Turkey is a critical NATO Ally, and our continued cooperation is important for American interests in the region and beyond.” “The U.S.-Turkish alliance can be a powerful force for security and stability, not only in the Middle East, but beyond.” These are not the actions of a state that undermines U.S. security; they are the actions of a partner whose unique geographic position and diplomatic reach cannot be replicated. The congressional letter’s assertion that welcoming Türkiye back into the F-35 program would jeopardize American security overlooks the greater danger of alienating a strategic ally at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. To permanently exclude Türkiye from cooperative defense projects risks pushing Ankara toward alternative defense partnerships with powers who do not share our values. That outcome would weaken NATO’s southern flank, fracture alliance interoperability, and embolden adversaries who benefit from divisions within the West.

     It is equally important to consider the motivations behind some of the letter’s most vocal proponents. Several of its signatories have Greeks roots and the other members of the Greek Caucus and maintain close connections with Greek lobbying circles. Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, in particular, has repeatedly advanced positions hostile to Türkiye, aligning herself with groups sympathetic to PKK/YPG-affiliated organizations entities tied to a U.S.-designated terrorist group. Furthermore, she has associated herself with the network of Fethullah Gulen group , which Türkiye and numerous other countries recognize as a terrorist organization.

    Congresswoman Malliotakis’s reelection campaign has received substantial financial backing from Greek-affiliated interests, raising serious concerns as to whether her policy positions genuinely reflect U.S. national security priorities or instead advance the agenda of regional rivals of Türkiye, such as Greece. Her record suggests that she is often advocating for Greek interests rather than those of the American people. US Congress is an Greek occupied territory. 

    Such behavior risks undermining the impartiality expected of U.S. policymakers, particularly when dealing with issues involving a NATO ally. Moreover, what Congresswoman Malliotakis and her Greek friends seems unwilling to recognize is that the country’s official name is not “Turkey” but Türkiye. Respect for Türkiye’s sovereignty is paramount. The official designation, Republic of Türkiye, reflects the nation’s independence and identity. Dismissing this by continuing to use “Turkey” ignores a matter of diplomatic respect that should not be overlooked.

     The Republic of Türkiye does not seek to erase the past; it seeks a fair and balanced reconsideration of decisions that weakened alliance cohesion, punished an indispensable partner, and emboldened adversaries. Readmitting Türkiye to the F-35 program and reexamining CAATSA sanctions through a lens of equity and strategic necessity would strengthen NATO, enhance transatlantic security, and restore fairness to U.S. foreign policy. Demonizing Türkiye, as some have made a political habit of doing, is not only counterproductive but dangerous in an era when unity among allies is paramount.

    Respectfully,

    Ibrahim Kurtulus
    Community Activist

  • The Strategic Importance of Georgia for the Western World and Türkiye

    The Strategic Importance of Georgia for the Western World and Türkiye

    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 

  • Invitation for a debate at New York University

    Invitation for a debate at New York University

    Dear Dr. Mustafa Atac,

    First, allow me to correct a factual error that someone bearing the title of “Dr.” should have had the courtesy and attentiveness to avoid: my name is Ibrahim Kurtulus, not “Mr. Rizeli.” While I do have roots in Rize a heritage  that I have carried for 58 years living and promoting in USA.  I proudly acknowledge that alone does not define my identity, beliefs, or intellectual stance. Reducing someone’s name to a geographic label is not only dismissive, but it reflects a mindset that seeks to stereotype rather than understand.

    Second, your remarks rife with scorn and intellectual arrogance do not reflect the principles of open dialogue, mutual respect, or even basic civility. You have chosen to respond not with constructive critique or thoughtful disagreement, but with personal disdain, verbal hostility, and an unwillingness to even consider another perspective. In doing so, you reveal an unfortunate truth: you are not interested in dialogue, but only in domination of the narrative.

    Let me make something else abundantly clear: I am neither a supporter nor a voter of President Erdogan. To label me as such without basis is not only intellectually dishonest, but a reflection of the binary, intolerant worldview that you and many like you  seem to hold where anyone who does not parrot your views must automatically belong to the “other side.”

    You claim that we share “not a single point or any value.” I respectfully counter that such a sweeping dismissal speaks volumes not about me, but about your own incapacity to coexist in a world of pluralism. In a democratic society, disagreement is not something to be ashamed of, but embraced as a sign of intellectual vitality. The inability to engage in respectful dissent, the reflex to humiliate and belittle rather than challenge with logic, fact checking and reason these are the hallmarks of dogmatism, not enlightenment.

    President Erdogan someone who “destroyed the country”

    Your message did not offer a single fact-based argument, historical counterpoint, or evidence basead rebuttal to anything I may have written. Instead, you resorted to a string of ad hominem attacks, emotional outbursts, and petty insults and to humiliate me. Sen nasil bir insansin ? 

     When facts are inconvenient, some choose to abandon discourse and descend into derision that is exactly what your response demonstrates.Those who harbor genuine commitment to intellectual engagement do not fear opposing views like you and many like you . They do not silence others by declaring them unworthy of even speaking. And they certainly do not weaponize language to degrade those with whom they disagree.

    You see, Dr. Atac, true education is not measured by titles before one’s name or letters after it, but by one’s capacity for dialogue, dignity, and humility. You have demonstrated little of any. but , Hate that you will only died with, sir Allah help you to open your mind and heart insallah.

    I will not return your insults with equal venom, because I believe in the power of principled words, not poisonous ones. But let it be known: I will never be silenced by those who seek to delegitimize others through mockery, hate, or elitist derision. I am proud to engage with those who disagree so long as they do so with respect and facts, not fury and fabrication. I invite you for a debate at New York University – All expenses paid to debate on geopolitical matter especially matters concerning our NATO ally of the Republic of Turkiye – or if you cant fly to NY, tell you what Dr Atac,  I will fly to Istanbul, you pick the location I will pay for all capital expenditures. I will even pay you $15,000 US dollars for you time.  If not,  Allah Uzun omuler verin Insallah, Sir. 

    Sincerely,

    Ibrahim Kurtulus

    Demirhisar Koyu | Rize – Cayeli 

    New York

    Türkiye Is Not Our Grandfathers’ Türkiye — A Necessary Clarification

    Dr. Mustafa Atac,

    Your continued barrage of personal insults, condescension, and below-the-belt rhetoric reflects a profound unwillingness to engage in honest, respectful dialogue. Rather than address the core of any argument with facts or principles, you repeatedly retreat into a mode of sarcasm, stereotyping, and character assassination. This is not intellectual engagement—it is a smear campaign poorly disguised as opinion.

    Let me begin by answering your most recent question:
    Why do I include “Demirhisar Köyü – Rize – Çayeli” in my emails and public communications?

    Because I believe in honoring one’s roots. I am proud to tell my fellow Americans where I come from as 99% of Americans do. I consider it a privilege not a liability to carry the legacy of my village, my province, and my  home country forward. This is not an act of nationalism, but a deeply human reflection of cultural continuity. I ask you plainly: Do you have a problem with someone promoting their homeland with dignity? Or do you believe one’s village is something to be erased once they cross a border?

    As for your mockery of where I live, let mee clarify another misperception: I did not “choose” to leave Demirhisar Village – Rize Cayeli . I was brought to New York at the age of one. My life unfolded here my education, career, my family, and now, the future of my children of 10 and 13 years old . This is our home, my new Home the greatest country in the world America . But never forgetting where we come from is not backwardness it is strength that make America a great place to say I am Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Ben Bir Sehit Aylesiyim, Ben Mustafa Kemal Ataturkum, Bayrak benim dir, 15 Yasinda Kefensiz Yatan Memleketime senin gibil Hayinlerin,  Yan bankani Gozunu Ezerim. Sayin Atac , You are a peace of ^%$#@@%&&**  who insults is what you and many like you do the best – looking down on individuaels with HATE . which you will only , as I indicated before will only die with the venom of Hate.

    What is truly “backward,” Dr. Atac, is the assumption that anyone who disagrees with your political beliefs must be “cheating, stealing, lying,” or somehow intellectually inferior. This toxic minndset the belief that you alone repraesent the “real” Türkiye is precisely what undermines democratic society. It’s not Atatürk’s Republic you represent, sir. It’s ideological elitism masked in the name of republicanism.

    Let’s also be clear:

    I am not a supporter of President Erdogan or have I ever cast a vote for him. But I do respect a democratically elected President that the majority of the people voted for at the Balloit box.  But your obsession with labeling anyone who doesn’t echo your rage as a “Tayyiban” or part of a “disastrous regime” reveals more about your political insecurities than my views. You do not seek dialogue; you seek dominance. And when you cannot dominate with ideas, you attempt to humiliate with insults.

    You proudly say you live in three countries, belong to 11 clubs, and speak several languages. Congratulations. But wealth, travel, and institutional memberrships are not indicaetors of moral or intellectual superiority. True greatness is measured not in the rooms you enter, but in how you speak to those who disagree with you.

    I will no longer indulge your smear campaigns. But I will leave you with a direct and open invitation:

    If you truly believe in the ideas you claim to defend, then debate me.

    I formally propose a public, respectful, academic debate on October 29, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The venue: New York University. You say you can afford the travel ok . 

    You pay for your travel to New York. But , I will still pay you $15,000  for your time  ,  better yet,  I up the deal,  I will pay  you $25,000 in cash for a 2 hour debate at New York University on October 29, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye. or you set a University in Istanbul,  I will be on the next flight to Istanbul  . I am putting my money where my mouth is … put your money where your mouth is..  Are you  ,will you ? Set the date and location. 

    The subject “From the  Ottoman Empire period of 1880 to NATO Ally – The Evolution of the Modern Republic of Türkiye to year 2025 .”

    Let’s put ideas, facts, and history on the table and let the audience judge. Let the people Judge and students at New York University or any University in Istanbul Judge.

    No insults. No dismissals. Just you, me, and the ideals of democracy and debate.

    If you can afford the time and the intellectual rigor then I challenge you to accept. Put your convictions to the test. Put your rhetoric to rest. Let’s see whose understanding of Türkiye is rooted in truth, not tribalism.

    Respectfully,

    Ibrahim Kurtulus

    Demirhisar Koyu – Rize – Cayeli

    New York 

  • President Erdogan someone who “destroyed the country”

    President Erdogan someone who “destroyed the country”

    Subject: A Respectful Rebuttal Regarding Your Recent Statement

    Dear Dr. Atac,

    I read your recent statement drawing a comparison between the Vazi Parliament that entrusted Mustafa Kemal Atatürk with temporary authority during our War of Independence, and what you described as a “traitorous parliament” granting lifetime authority to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. I must respectfully, yet firmly, challenge this narrative both on historical grounds and factcheck  for the sake of national dignity.

    Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk)’e TBMM’nce 5 Ağustos 1921 tarihinde 3 ay süreli başkomutanlık görevi verilmişti!

    First and foremost, to equate Atatürk’s struggle for national liberation with your characterization of modern democratic developments is a distortion of both eras. The Grand National Assembly of Türkiye granted Atatürk extraordinary powers for three months in 1921 not because he demanded them for life, but because the nation was at war for its survival. Those powers were renewed multiple times and extended as needed. Historical context matters.

    Now, as for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, let us be honest and factual:

    • He has not been given power for life. He was elected by the Turkish people through internationally recognized democratic elections first aas Prime Ministaer, and later as President under the new system approved by a national referendum in 2017.
    • The presidential system of government adopted by popular vote did not abolish parliament but redefined the balance between the executive and legislative branches, similar to other presidential systems in the world.
    • Erdogan’s terms in office remain subject to constitutional limits, and his tenure will ultimately be decided by the voters—not by personal entitlement or parliamantary submission.

    Dr. Atac,  It is profoundly unfair and frankly dangerous to label the current Grand National Assembly as “traitorous” merely because it has operated within the bounds of a constitutionally restructured system, which was endorsed by millions of Turkish citizens through a legal, democratic process. Disagreement with policy is one thing; slandering institutions and comparing them to betrayal is something else entirely.

    Moreover  Dr Atac,, calling President Erdogan someone who “destroyed the country” ignores many undeniable realities:

    • Under his leadership, Türkiye became the world’s 19th largest economy, expanded its national defense industry, launched domestic satellite programs, and became a critical regional player in diplomacy and energy.
    • He has invested heavily in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, benefiting tens of millions of Turkish citizens from every province not just the elites of the major cities.

    You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. But when criticism turns into sweeping vilification that defames our republic’s elected leadership, we must draw the line especially when invoking the secred memory of Atatürk, who built institutions to reflect the will of the people, not the whims of ideology.

    In closing, I urge you to rise above this kind of rhetoric, not for the sake of any one leader, but for the unity and dignity of our homeland. Our ancestors did not sacrifice everything just to see their legacy torn down with divisive, inaccurate comparisons. Türkiye deserves better. So do its citizens.

    With all due respect and sincere intentions,

    Ibrahim Kurtulus

    Demirhisar Koyu 
    Sehit Ismail Hakki Kurtulus Mevki

    Merkez cami Mah No 1

    Cayeli – Rize  -Turkiye

    New York

  • Türkiye’s Truest Brother

    Türkiye’s Truest Brother

    Dr. Suhail Muzafer & Omer Qadri . Pakistan / Türkiye’s Truest Brother

    Türkiye’s Truest Brother — The Everlasting Bond with Pakistan

    In the long and storied history of the Turkish Republic, there exists a special chapter that cannot be written without the name of Pakistan inscribed with gold. It is a story of brotherhood beyond borders, of love deeper than blood, and of solidarity that has weathered every storm. Among the many shining examples of this enduring friendship, the life and legacy of Abdurrahman Peshawari stands tall  a hero, a journalist, a soldier, and most of all, a devoted friend of Türkiye.

    Born in 1886 in Peshawar, then part of British India, Abdurrahman Peshawari left behind a life of comfort and privilege to support the Ottoman Empire during one of its darkest chapters. He was among the very first from the Indian subcontinent to respond to the Ottoman call for help during the Balkan Wars. He traveled first as part of a medical team to treat wounded Ottoman soldiers, but when the call came again, this time during Türkiye’s War of Independence, he didn’t hesitate. He returned  not as a doctor or journalist, but as a soldier  standing shoulder to shoulder with his Turkish brothers, defending Anatolian soil from foreign invaders.

    Peshawari became one of the first war correspondents from the Indian subcontinent to cover the Turkish War of Independence. Eventually, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk appointed him as the Turkish Ambassador to Afghanistan  a post that symbolized the mutual trust and admiration between Türkiye and the Muslim world.

    But Peshawari was not alone in his love. He carried the spirit of millions of Pakistanis, who  long before their nation was born  considered Türkiye not just an ally, but family. During World War I, it was the mothers, sisters, and daughters of the Indian subcontinent who gave up their mehr (dowry), their gold bracelets, and the heirlooms handed down for generations. Without a blink of an eye, they sent their treasures to Istanbul  not out of charity, but out of love. That moment defined the spirit of Pakistan’s people  selfless, honorable, and forever loyal to Türkiye.

    A hundred years later, this sacred bond remains unbreakable.

    Just recently, during the devastating earthquakes that shook southeastern Türkiye and claimed tens of thousands of lives, it was again our Pakistani brothers and sisters who were among the first to respond. Across Pakistan, from Karachi to Islamabad, people opened their hearts and their wallets. On Staten Island, New York  I personally witnessed the outpouring of love from Masjid Un-Noor, led by our dear brother Dr. Suhail Muzafer and his nephew Omer Qadri . This community alone raised $25,000, which was used for earthquake victims and also desperatlly need blankets and supplies plus  raising an additional  $8500 which provide Iftar and Sahur meals for nearly half of the blessed month of Ramazan in Gaziantep, one of the cities hardest hit by the earthquakes intotalling almost $50,000 in aid. This wasn’t aid  it was family coming to the aid of family right from Masjid Un-Noor, led by our dear brother Dr. Suhail Muzafer and his nephew Omer Qadri. .

    Today, many Turks I have spoken to, in cities large and small, say with full conviction: An attack on Pakistan is an attack on Türkiye. This is not just a phrase — it is a creed. It speaks to the depth of respect and mutual protection that binds our two nations. Türkiye has no closer partner, no more loyal friend, and no dearer brother than the people and government of Pakistan.

    This bond extends to the Turkish-American and Pakistani-American communities right here in New York. At every Turkish flag raising on Wall Street, we are joined without fail by our beloved brother Inspector Adeel Rana, the first Pakistani-American promoted to the rank of Inspector in the NYPD. A community leader beloved by New Yorkers of every background, Inspector Rana’s steadfast presence with the Turkish community during every national event is a reflection of his deep devotion and of the love between our people. Standing with him are other pillars of unity Javed Gujjar, Afzal Ansari, and many more  Pakistani brothers who stand for compassion, shared values, and the unbreakable brotherhood between our nations.

    Whenever I walk into Masjid Un-Noor, our beloved Pakistani mosque, I am met with a love and respect that is truly beyond words. The moment I step through the door, our Pakistani brothers  doctors, business owners, and community members — pause whatever they are doing. Conversations stop, people rise, and without hesitation, they come forward one by one to embrace me. It feels as though I am being welcomed not just as a guest, but as if I were the President of Türkiye himself.

    Their warmth, their sincerity, their brotherhood  it moves me deeply every time. This is not something that can be easily described in writing. The love I feel from them is something that touches the heart in the most profound way. It is genuine, pure, and unforgettable. Dr. Suhail Muzafer, Omar, Javed Gujjar, Afzal Ansari. Thank you so much 

    From the trenches of Anatolia to the earthquake zones of modern Türkiye, from Istanbul to Islamabad, and from Wall Street to the mosques of Staten Island, our history has been one of togetherness.

    As we honor Abdurrahman Peshawari, we are also honoring every Pakistani heart that beats with love for Türkiye. We honor every mother who gave her gold, every soldier who prayed for our independence, and every child who learns of this sacred bond.

    Türkiye and Pakistan are not just allies  we are one soul in two bodies. And may that soul never be divided, never forget, and never stop loving.

    With eternal affection and deep gratitude to our Pakistani brothers and sisters,

    Respectfully,

    Ibrahim Kurtulus
    Community Advocate & Friend of the Pakistani-Turkish Brotherhood

    Demirhisar Koy – Rize – Cayeli

    Staten Island, New York

  • Türkiye is economically isolated, diplomatically desperate, and intellectually bankrupt. Are they true?

    Türkiye is economically isolated, diplomatically desperate, and intellectually bankrupt. Are they true?

    Dr Atac Thank you for your long and passionate response.

    Dr. Mustafa Atac’s recent open letter, though emotionally charged and eloquently delivered, reads less as a fair-minded critique of Türkiye’s present condition and more as an overextended lament rooted in selective outrage and outdated narratives. As someone who deeply values the principles of civic discourse and constructive dissent, I feel compelled to respond—not out of blind loyalty to any individual or government, but out of respect for the truth and the dignity of the Republic of Türkiye.

    Dr. Atac laments that Türkiye is economically isolated, diplomatically desperate, and intellectually bankrupt. These are serious claims. But are they true?

    Let’s begin with the economy. Contrary to Dr. Atac’s assertion that Türkiye is “excluded from serious international financial circles,” recent data reveals the opposite. In 2023, Türkiye saw a 25.9% increase in foreign direct investment (FDI), with notable inflows from the UK, Germany, and the U.S.—nations known for their financial due diligence. Türkiye continues to attract global capital in logistics, fintech, infrastructure, and energy. It is no secret that Türkiye faces challenges, including inflation and high interest rates, but to declare it an economic pariah is demonstrably false.

    The portrayal of Türkiye’s education system as devolved into “a madrassa” ignores both facts and nuance. Turkish universities such as Koc, Bilkent, and Middle East Technical University consistently rank within the top 500–600 globally, according to QS and THE (Times Higher Education) rankings. Türkiye is also a key participant in the European Higher Education Area through the Bologna Process and hosts over 300,000 international students—a testament to its growing global academic appeal. The same institutions have trained engineers who developed drone technologies now exported to NATO members, such as Poland and the UK. That is not a failed system; that is a transforming one.

    Dr. Atac also evokes preess freedom and judicial independence, citing various Western rankings. Yet the same rankings routinely downplay systemic abuses in their own backyards. When France detains over 11,000 protesters during the Yellow Vest movement or when journalists in the U.S. are jailed while covering civil unrest, no one questions the democratic character of those states. Why then does Türkiye’s struggle against terrorism, foreign subversion, and the remnants of a violent coup receive no such contextual consideration?

    Let’s not forget that many of the so-called “journalists” imprisoned in Türkiye post-2016 were found to be complicit in the FETÖ-led coup attempt. Encrypted communications via By Lock, militaery coordination, and direct involvement in the July 15 tragedy are well-documented. It is not dissent that was punished—it was treason.

    Dr. Atac sneers at Türkiye’s alliances with Qatar and Oman, as if diplomacy with non-Western partners is inherently suspect. Yet Türkiye maintains robust ties with Germany, the UK, Itaaly, and Japan, and sits at the G20 table, not as a guest, but as a permanent member. It hosts NATO’s second largest military, plays a key role in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and leads humanitarian aid convoys to Gaza and Ukraine alike. This is not isolationism , itt is strategic pluralism.

    Yes, there are challenges as Inflation must be controlled, and bureaucracy modernized. just two are valid points deserving of nuanced debate. But equating Türkiye’s evolution to North Korea’s oppression or Russia’s autocracy is not debate, it is distortion.

    One cannot claim to uphold Atatürk’s legacy while dismissing Türkiye’s national achievements as mere propaganda. Atatürk was not only a revolutionary but also a realist a leader who demanded progress be grounded in national sovereignty, self reliance, and global presence. Türkiye’s military drone industry, its diplomatic activism, and its investment in critical infrastructure reflect precisely that spirit.

    To critique is a right, even a duty, in a republic. But critique without proportion, without fairness, and without factual foundation becomes what Dr. Atac himself warns against: a betrayal not of the government, but of the very Republic he claims to defend.

    In today’s Türkiye, there is space for dissent. The opposition governs major cities like İstanbul, Ankara, and İzmir. The Constitutional Court continues to rule independently. And millions vote in fair, competitive elections with turnout rates that shame much of the democratic world.

    If one chooses to speak of Türkiye’s future, let it be done with courage but also with clarity. Let it be done with love not just for what we remember, but for what we are still building. Also, one should not be disparaged or vilified for holding a differing opinion. If the freedoms you invoke are only extended to those who share your particular worldview esspecially when that worldview is steeped in relentless criticism and hostility toward Türkiye then they cease to be freedoms at all and instead become instruments of intellectual exclusion.

    Let us be very clear, Dr. Atac: Türkiye is not perfect but it is far from broken or in disarray, as your narrative suggests.

    If you are searching for signs of a nation in crisis, you need only look at the United States. Here, citizens are at times arrested on the streets without due process; elected judges are removed from their courtrooms; city elected officials are taken into custody without being read their rights. Billions of taxpayer dollars are poured into endless wars, while over $15 billion has been funneled into sustaining the Netanyahu government despite its role in brutal campaigns that have drawn international condemnation.

    In America, a citizen can be gunned down with 35 bullets into their bodies for JUST  making eye contact with the wrong police officer and if you are lucky if your family will find your body . So before you accuse Türkiye of institutional collapse, perhaps turn your lens toward the realities unfolding in your own environment with the venom of hate dripping fromyour lips .

    As for your claim that I am a “mouthpiece” of Ankara—how dare you? You do not know me? Sir,  You have never sat with me, Sir,  never asked whom I voted for, never once attempted to understand my beliefs. You attack from afar with venomous words, but you know nothing of the person you seek to discredit.

    If you seek a professional debate, I welcome it anywhere, anytime. I will personally sponsor your travel to New York City and host you at New York University for an open forum. If New York is too far, I will gladly bring you to my village of Demirhisar in Rize’s Cayeli district. Perhaps the breathtaking beauty of the Black Sea, my village of Demirhisar and the sincere hospitality of our people will soften the bitterness in your heart toward the freely elected government of the Republic of Türkiye founded by none other than Mustafa Kemal Atatürk himself. Until then, I urge you to raise your critique with honesty and clarity not with the language of exclusion, not with personal insults, and certainly not with a tone that denies others their right to hold a different view point.

    And if we are to elevate the our NATO ally of the  Republic of Turkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s Turkiye, it will not be through despairing editorials and historical amnesia , but through unity, reform, pride, and above all, honesty.

    Ibrahim Kurtulus
    Demirhisar Koy  – Rize – Cayeli
    New York

    Türkiye Is Not Our Grandfathers’ Türkiye — A Necessary Clarification