Blog

Erdogan's nationalistic delirium on the anniversary of the Fall

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's provocative delirium inside Hagia Sophia and the nationalist delirium of the Turkish press on the occasion of the black anniversary of the Fall of Constantinople are another resounding reminder of the disastrous impasses to which Kyriakos Mitsotakis' disastrous policy of "calm waters" has led the country.

Ankara is constantly becoming bolder, raising its tone dangerously, openly investing in revisionism, and the Greek government continues, when it responds, to do so with awkward leaks, lukewarm formulations, and a strategy of silence that conveys an image of retreat and weakness.

Erdogan chose to turn the Holy Church of Hagia Sophia into a propaganda backdrop, speaking of "Turkish Constantinople", of a "spirit of conquest" and of a people that will never lose their "yearning for new conquests".

He did not limit himself to symbolism, but openly brought back the rhetoric of the expansionist doctrine, presenting the Fall as an act of "rebirth" and "light", while extolling the Islamization of Hagia Sophia as a supposed historical vindication.

The Turkish press was also closely involved, issuing despicable reports about the "black anniversary" which it accompanied with direct threats of a "new Fall", reports that "the Greeks are scratching their heads", offensive puns about Kastelorizo ​​and the Greek islands, reports of violations by Turkish fighter jets, composing a scene of brutal aggression and nationalism.

And all this while Athens continues to obsessively keep its head down, favoring the narrative of dialogue and understanding.

But reality proves them wrong.

The dangerous policy of appeasement, moderation, and diplomatic amateurism acts as a signal of tolerance for the Turks who are running wild while the Mitsotakis government remains trapped in the doctrine of "calm waters."

What else needs to happen for the Mitsotakis government to realize the magnitude of the danger? How many more insults to History, Orthodoxy, and the sovereign rights of the country are needed?

The incendiary and ahistorical doctrine of the "Blue Homeland" is an organized revisionist project that manifests itself daily, politically, militarily and in communication.

And in the face of this, the Greek government continues to defiantly behave as if nothing is happening.

Published in "Democracy"