Where does Russia stand in the Red Sea equation?

Have you heard about Russia's warm sea dream? Many assume that the target of this dream is the Mediterranean, but in reality, it is the Indian Ocean.

There are two routes for Russia to reach the Indian Ocean. One is to pass through the straits, cross the Mediterranean, enter the Red Sea through the Suez Canal, and the other is to descend from the Caucasus, pass through Iran, and exit through the Persian Gulf.

In the past, when Israel occupied the Suez, the Soviets, or Russians at that time, did not remain indifferent to Egypt's desire for rapprochement and had a significant influence.

Later, with the weight the United States exerted in the region, its influence diminished, and in the post-Soviet era, it was not sufficiently strengthened.

On the other hand, it should never be forgotten that keeping Iran under embargo somewhat means subjecting Russia to a warm sea embargo.

There is also the possibility that the squeeze in the Red Sea could free Iran from its grip. The Houthis in Yemen have Iran behind them, and Russia behind Iran. However, Russia is not aggressive.

In this atmosphere of instability, while dealing with Ukraine, it may not be reasonable for the Russians to spread themselves too thin on multiple fronts...

Moreover, as the United States intentionally pushes the Red Sea into instability, weakening Europe, things seem to be going the way Russians want.

Perhaps the Russians have chosen to temporarily set aside their warm sea ambitions and focus on maintaining their dominance in the cold seas. Ice is opening up in the Arctic, and ship technologies are being developed for navigation in icy seas. Let me also note that Russia's gains in the Black Sea are of extraordinary proportions.

In the end, the plan to share, or rather plunder, Russia is still on the table and appetizing.

While India and China are losing European markets, the Russians will not take responsibility unless the region is secured. They should and will take it.

I no longer say, "Let there be peace in the world" or anything like that. I can't say it. It doesn't come from within me. On the contrary, I say, "Let whatever will happen, happen." Türkiye is the safest country in the world. Whether the Russians and Europeans clash or the Americans and Chinese, let it happen. Türkiye emerges strengthened from every equation.

The PKK's Target: The Path of Development

If the Northern Corridor has become important for the Russians, the Middle Corridor (connected to Zengezur) and the Path of Development (connected to eastern Iraq from Basra) have become important for Türkiye.

In the past months, tenders were held for the Ovaköy-Şanlıurfa and Ovaköy-Gaziantep highway and railway. In the coming days, new railway tenders will be held. One of these will be the northern Marmara railway passing through the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge.

However, whenever Türkiye establishes geo-economic contexts, it plays the role desired by those holding the PKK terror lever.

While Nabucco was about to make Türkiye an energy center and was inevitable, the PKK constantly attacked pipelines.

As tourism investments increased, it attacked tourist centers.

When infrastructure investments were increased to develop the east of Türkiye, it attacked construction sites.

While incentives were given for investments in the Southeast and factories were opened, it attacked capitalists.

When efforts were made in education, it attacked teachers.

As mineral exploration activities increased, it attacked mining areas.

Now, as the Red Sea destabilizes and the Faw Port is completed, it has begun to attack the Development Route. It attacked all the investments to be made.

When the Arab Line was about to open, it became an actor in the instability in Syria. Israel filled Türkiye's place on the Arab Line.

Moreover, the PKK not only plays the role of breaking Türkiye's geo-economic contexts but also plays the role of stirring up internal debates when Türkiye is about to intervene as a regional actor.

Türkiye will find peace only if it secures the region up to Basra. It must and will take it.

I no longer say, "Let there be peace in the world" or anything like that. I can't say it. It doesn't come from within me. On the contrary, I say, "Let whatever will happen, happen." Türkiye is the safest country in the world.

Can Lagarde Fill the Leadership Vacuum in Europe?

Christine Lagarde previously served as the Minister of Economy in France. Later, while still a French politician, she took the position of IMF director vacated after the orchestrated sexual assault case against Strauss-Khan. Today, she is the President of the European Central Bank.

Even during her time at the IMF, she did not shy away from politics. When Trump criticized and attacked the Fed, she became one of the most important defenders of the Fed.

Last week, she came to the agenda again with an anti-Trump statement. I thought that she might be trying to fill the leadership vacuum in Europe after Merkel.

Faced with recent developments, Europe has become almost like an American puppet, trying to cover up its weaknesses. A puppet of America as much as Liberia, Micronesia, Israel, PKK...

In this situation, can Europe get rid of this state it fell into? Whether it can achieve this with Lagarde, I do not know.

On the other hand, I have been saying for a long time that France is targeted by the United States. Perhaps Lagarde's concern is not the leadership vacuum in Europe but the prosperity of France.

Perhaps she sees that Europe's risk of disintegration has unnecessarily increased due to the United States during her time at the European Central Bank.

Perhaps she is aware that some European countries want to balance between the United States and Russia instead of moving together in a collective manner.

Perhaps she can read the political turmoil in France.

Perhaps she can see that in this environment, Trump is preparing to be more effective than he was in his first presidential term, ready to crush both Europe and France.

In the end, both Europe and France have never been so weak militarily, economically, and with the most inadequate leadership profiles in history. Moreover, when multiple opportunities have come to camouflage all their shortcomings by just showing a bit more fair and humane attitude.

If Europe becomes even weaker, when they eventually find a strong leader, they will regret not for their luck but for their misfortunes. Because being weak militarily, economically fragile, having a strong leader becomes a handicap. That person is certainly not Lagarde.

From these perspectives, I would like to remind that Türkiye has never been as strong militarily and economically as it is today, despite all the criticisms. Türkiye's military and economic situation is not incompatible with a strong leadership profile.