Turkey will either grow or shrink

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan uttered a historic sentence during the latest cabinet meeting held at the Beştepe Palace in Ankara.  I read it in daily Yeni Şafak writer Mehmet Acet's column on Oct. 10. Take note of this sentence. This is what Acet wrote: 

"Friends, Turkey can no longer stay at this point. The status quo will change somehow. We will either leap with moves forward; or we will be bound to shrink. Speaking for myself, I am determined to make onward moves," the president said.

This is what was behind the harsh proclamation against Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Oct. 11 at the Eurasian Islamic Council. He declared that Turkey will take steps independently in Iraq and Syria without taking permission from anybody. 

It is clear that Erdoğan believes that we need to take matters into our own hands at the current juncture. 
Mehmet Acet is Kanal 7's Ankara representative, and he is a good journalist with reliable sources. From his column, I understand that what Erdoğan mentions as growth or shrinkage is like a geographical enlargement or shrinkage. I am not sure. Nevertheless, the picture ahead of us is becoming clear with its risks and opportunities. 

The Euphrates Shield Operation in Syria is one of these onward moves that Erdoğan mentioned. Our insistence in participating in the Mosul operation in Iraq and in the Bashiqa Camp is such a move. 

Ankara is trying to do what it was not able to do with the resolution process by demonstrating its military power in the field.
 
Making up for the peace process 

In place of separation and downsizing, the resolution process was regarded as a golden opportunity that would enable growth. It was going to end the separatism at home...