According to Yetkin Report, Fidan's assessment of Turkey's international position includes several significant policy positions: Turkey opposes any military intervention against Iran, believing the region cannot withstand increased instability there, despite daily threats emerging from the United States. The country is currently negotiating conditions for potentially joining the defense agreement signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, though no decision has been reached. Regarding Syria, Turkey maintains the option of military intervention if the Damascus government fails to reach accommodation with the Syrian Democratic Forces, while awaiting U.S. mediation efforts between Damascus and the SDF-YPG coalition.
On normalization with Israel, Fidan stated this would only be possible if Tel Aviv halts its policy of displacing Palestinians from Gaza, with the initial step requiring Israel to cease obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries. Turkey's broader cooperation with China on Belt and Road initiatives depends on Beijing making direct investments in Turkey, while Ankara plans to take steps in 2026 regarding outstanding issues in visa facilitation negotiations with the European Union.
Syria: A Multidimensional Challenge
When asked to rank Turkey's most pressing crises for 2026, Fidan placed Syria first without hesitation. This priority reflects the issue's complexity for Ankara—encompassing Israeli pressure on Damascus, the SDF-PKK presence, the Terror-Free Turkey project, and political solutions to the Kurdish question. Syria represents the nexus where Turkey's security, foreign policy, domestic politics, and democratization efforts intersect.
Gaza and the Israel Factor
Fidan identified Gaza as the second critical priority, which analysts interpret as addressing the broader Turkey-Israel tension axis. From a wider perspective, this rivalry represents the primary fault line in Middle Eastern geopolitics, with implications extending to Turkey's relations with the United States and European Union, affecting both diplomatic maneuvering and economic interests.
Russia-Ukraine Remains Critical
The third priority—the Russia-Ukraine war, which Fidan characterizes as fundamentally a Russia-Europe conflict—has transformed into an internal Western and NATO challenge following Donald Trump's return to power. Turkey aims to preserve its unique position as an interlocutor with both sides and secure a seat at any future peace negotiations, given the conflict's implications for Turkish security and economic interests.
Notably absent from Fidan's top three was Iran, despite current tensions, suggesting Ankara views it as significant but not among the most urgent challenges. Greece's attempts to obstruct Turkish interests—from U.S. Congress aircraft sales to alliance-building with Israel and EU perspectives—also failed to make the priority list, though they remain acknowledged concerns.
EU Visa Progress Hinges on Reforms
Regarding EU visa liberalization, Turkey must complete six outstanding criteria, with President Erdoğan reportedly instructing officials to pursue this in 2026. The most critical requirements involve personal data protection legislation and amendments to counterterrorism laws—the latter connected to Turkey's domestic Terror-Free Turkey process. However, Ankara fears Greek and Greek Cypriot obstruction even after meeting these conditions.
Fidan's opening remark that no country can conduct foreign policy according to predetermined templates anymore effectively captured the era of "permanent uncertainty" defining current international relations.