MIT Chief Kalın: This will be our most important task from now on

The National Intelligence Academy organized the "International Intelligence Studies Congress" to address the fundamental problems of intelligence research in Turkey and the world, evaluate existing knowledge, discuss the possibilities of alternative paradigms, and identify potential areas of study.

In the congress, held for the first time this year, intelligence studies were examined and discussed with an interdisciplinary approach, primarily in the fields of social, human, and natural sciences, as well as engineering. The program, held at a hotel in Istanbul, was attended by MIT Chief Prof. Dr. İbrahim Kalın, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, National Intelligence Academy President Prof. Dr. Talha Köse, and 250 academics from Turkey and around the world.

"A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY LIES BEFORE US"

Touching upon the ceasefire process in Gaza, MIT Chief Prof. Dr. İbrahim Kalın said, "We established the National Intelligence Academy about a year and a half ago. In a very short time, our academy has truly begun to carve out a unique place for itself in the academic world. With the work it has done, the reports it has prepared, and the workshops it has held, it has begun to play a key role in the formation of the intelligence discipline and the shaping of an intelligence ecosystem.

As you know, regarding the establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza, which is our hottest agenda item, as of this morning, we have left behind an important page and period in our recent history. The genocide policies directed at the people of Gaza, which have been ongoing for 2 years, have now come to an end as of today with a ceasefire. I say this, of course, with great caution and care. Because the implementation of the ceasefire will be our most important task from now on. A fragile ceasefire has been established. Its implementation on the ground and its monitoring likewise require great sensitivity and attention.

In such sensitive, fragile environments, violations and sabotage always occur. But as of today, we now have a ceasefire in our hands, and a historic opportunity lies before us to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and dry the tears. A great responsibility falls upon all of us to realize this opportunity, make it permanent, and transform this ceasefire into peace.

It is not just the mediator countries or guarantors, but the entire international community, from Europe to America, from Asia to the Middle East, that needs to play a role in making this ceasefire permanent. In the coming days and weeks, great tasks fall upon all of us to implement this fragile ceasefire comprehensively and make it permanent. This ceasefire is, of course, not the solution to the problem, but only the first step. The problem will only be close to a real solution when the State of Palestine is established and a two-state solution is implemented in the Middle East. As Turkey, we have worked day and night throughout this process to stop the bloodshed, end the genocide, and allow our Gazan brothers and sisters to take a breath," he said.

"WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN CRITICAL ROLES AS TURKEY"

Stating that the Dolmabahçe Agreement was one of the most important steps taken to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Kalın said, "We have undertaken critical roles as Turkey in the Russia-Ukraine crisis to date. The Dolmabahçe Agreement, signed in Istanbul about 3 years ago, was one of the most important steps taken to end this war.

This initiative, which was thwarted for various reasons, unfortunately left us with a very grim picture 3 years later. We are once again facing a war scenario where tens of thousands of people have died and the capabilities and resources of countries have been destroyed by both Russia and Ukraine.

To end this war, we as Turkey have positioned ourselves as a country that talks to all parties simultaneously and continues to talk. As Turkey, we will continue to host these efforts, mediate, and play a facilitating role from now on," he said.

"IT IS OUR COMMON RESPONSIBILITY"

Stating that making Syria a security hub, a development country, and a geography of stability that is independent and in good relations with its neighbors is everyone's common responsibility, Kalın said, "Syria entered a new phase with the collapse of the Assad regime in December of last year. We are in an intense effort to protect territorial integrity, ensure political unity, and advance economic development and social cohesion in Syria, our neighbor with whom we share a 911-kilometer border.

The new state and new administration that took over the Syrian government are facing great challenges and tests. It is not an easy task to rebuild Syria after a critical period that destroyed the approximately 60-year-old Baath regime and ended a 14-year civil war.

Syria needs everyone's help and support. Because the new Syrian administration took over a collapsed state, a divided society, and a bankrupt economy. Taking this structure and repairing it, treating it, and building a new Syria is not just the responsibility of the Syrians; it is our common responsibility. Here, it is our common responsibility to prevent any effort directed against Syria's territorial integrity and political unity and to make Syria a security hub, a development country, and a geography of stability that is independent and in good relations with its neighbors. We are continuing our efforts and work in this direction in a multifaceted way," he said.

Explaining Turkey's Somalia policy, Kalın said, "Somalia's peace, stability, and development are not just the issue of the Somalis, but our common responsibility," he said.

"THE DISTANCE WE HAVE COVERED IS TRULY HISTORIC"

Stating that they aim to clear the country and the region of all terrorist threats with the steps to be taken from now on on the path to a terror-free Turkey, Kalın said, "With a terror-free Turkey, we desire not only to end the 40-year PKK terrorism that Turkey is facing, but also to clear the entire region of all kinds of terrorist organizations and proxy forces, and for the region to truly establish a system and order of trust and stability based on its own dynamics. The distance we have covered on the path to a terror-free Turkey is truly historic. With the steps to be taken from now on, we aim to clear our country and our region of all terrorist threats and to take steps toward a real embrace, peace, strategic reunion, and integration in the region with its Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and other elements," he said.

National Intelligence Academy President Prof. Dr. Talha Köse, in his speech, touched upon the content of the congress and said, "The purpose of our congress is not limited to producing a scientific output. The dizzying transformation process taking place in the world today shows that we are going through a critical stage. In this process, conventional theoretical approaches and ways of seeing do not allow us to face today's problems in a realistic way," he said.

News Source: İHA