Controversial figure Tom Barrack speaks to Greek newspaper: He has shifted into a higher gear!
Tom Barrack, who sparked controversy with his remarks that "Turkey should transition to the Ottoman millet system," has made another provocative statement. Claiming that the economic order was fragmented by the nation-state formation after 1919 and that this closed off historical "prosperity routes," Barrack has escalated his anti-republican rhetoric. He told a Greek newspaper, "It has been blocking us since 1919."
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US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who became a central topic of discussion in Turkey during and after President Erdoğan's US visit due to his remarks about "granting legitimacy" to President Erdoğan, had previously made headlines with his statement: "The best system for Turkey is the Ottoman millet system. For me, İzmir is an example where Jews, Muslims, and Christians live together and these communities are blended. This is a situation that should exist all over the world and in the Middle East. I think Turkey could be the central point of all this..."
This time, speaking to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, Tom Barrack once again targeted the republic and the nation-states established after 1919.
BARRACK SHIFTS INTO A HIGHER GEAR IN ANTI-REPUBLICANISM
In his interview with Kathimerini, Tom Barrack expressed his support for Greece and claimed that the nation-state formation after 1919 locked the geoeconomic order of the Eastern Mediterranean and created obstacles to trade.
Stating that the biggest obstacle to opening the energy reserves found in the Caspian to the Mediterranean is Turkey's nation-state structure, Barrack said, "It is time to establish a new order in the Eastern Mediterranean."
Continuing his remarks by recalling his previous claim about the Ottoman millet system, Barrack stated that he would take action to provide a solution, arguing that the region does not need "a new cooperation model based on competition, but one based on prosperity." Arguing that the tensions between Turkey and Greece due to the nation-state structure have knotted economic flows, Barrack said, "It is time for a new regional order. This could be the keystone of a new order."
Barrack said that energy reserves in the Caspian basin could reach the Mediterranean line through cooperation via Turkey and Greece.
"IT HAS BEEN BLOCKING US SINCE 1919"
Tom Barrack said that the geoeconomic order in the region was fragmented by the nation-state formation after 1919 and that this closed off historical "prosperity routes." According to Barrack, although the Caspian basin has massive fossil fuel reserves, its access to the Mediterranean has remained blocked due to modern nation-state borders and regional political tensions.
Stating that "The gateway of the Caspian to the Mediterranean is Greece and Turkey," Barrack emphasized that the two countries form a geographically unique energy and trade corridor. However, he expressed that this potential has not been utilized for years due to political complications, mistrust, and competition.
In this context, Barrack argues that "it is time for a new regional order," asserting that energy-political alignment has become mandatory for the economic interests of both the two countries and the region.
Tom Barrack's statements are as follows:
"The nation-state formation after 1919 locked the geoeconomic order of the Eastern Mediterranean and created an obstacle."
"The giant energy reserves in the Caspian are waiting for a door to open to the Mediterranean. And that door is Turkey and Greece.
But the borders drawn by nation-states since 1919 have locked this path.
It is time to establish a new order in the Eastern Mediterranean."