The Revival of Misak-ı Milli: An Analysis of the AKP's Strategic Culture Towards Southern and Western Kurdistan

Abstract

Following the declaration of the National Pact (Misak-ı Milli) as a geo-nationalist covenant concerning territories that ultimately remained outside Turkey’s official borders, this unrealized ideal became the foundational cornerstone for Turkey’s foreign policy toward Southern and Western Kurdistan. Furthermore, it evolved into a vital component of the Turkish national identity construction process, significantly influencing the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) conceptualization of these two regions and becoming a major element of its strategic culture. This study employs a descriptive-analytical method to understand the AKP’s strategic culture regarding the National Pact, drawing on data from books, academic journals, interviews, and credible news sources. The findings indicate that the AKP, by synthesizing classical Turkish nationalism with religious discourse and Neo-Ottoman nostalgia, has managed to provide a modern interpretation of the National Pact to legitimize its expansionist policies in Southern and Western Kurdistan. Consequently, these policies have led to significant tensions and have had a negative impact on regional stability and the Kurdish cause. This research is based on the fact that the AKP has been able to transform this historical document from a protective framework into an offensive and expansionist tool by redefining the “national charter” and combining it with the discourse of neo-Ottoman nostalgia. Due to regional and international obstacles, the method of implementation has changed tactically. Therefore, the AKP wants to justify its military interventions in southern and western Kurdistan and portray them as a “national and historical duty”, not just as protecting official borders.

The AKP's plan is based on an "offensive strategy" and the creation of military zones of influence in southern and western Kurdistan, in order to cross the geographical boundaries of Lausanne with the "security boundaries" of the national charter. To this end, he combines soft power (media and culture) and hard power (military operations and permanent bases) to convince the world of a new culture. On the other hand, essential obstacles such as the dissatisfaction of the international system, global forces, opposition from regional forces such as Israel, the reaction of Iraq and Syria, will prevent its expansion. The Kurdish national defense and Turkey's internal economic turmoil remain major obstacles to the implementation of this project.