Following the conclusion of the International Strategic Communication Summit (STRATCOM) 2026, the Presidency’s Head of Communications, Burhanettin Duran, made statements and responded to questions from journalists.
In his statement, Head of Communications Duran said:
''We take pride in the successful conclusion of STRATCOM Summit 2026, following two days of intensive and fruitful panels.
At the summit, a wide range of critical issues were addressed, from international security and strategic communication to diplomacy, global cooperation, international challenges and agendas.
By sharing their views in light of current geopolitical developments, participants added a valuable perspective to the summit.
The rapid changes across the world are making the importance of inter‑state cooperation and effective communication more apparent than ever. In this context, the International Strategic Communication Summit provided a unique platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience at both national and international levels. The lively interactions among participants ensured that the summit was productive.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, in his speech yesterday, offered comprehensive assessments on the transformation of the global system, the balance of power and legitimacy, the role of leadership in times of crisis, and Türkiye’s pioneering approach in the pursuit of a fair international order.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan honoured the summit with his presence today and made a valuable contribution through his assessments on Türkiye’s regional role and global diplomacy. Director of National Intelligence Organisation İbrahim Kalın shared valuable insights on strategic security and regional developments, while Secretary of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün provided information on defence technologies and the transformation of the concept of warfare.
Throughout the programme, our esteemed panellists—expert academics, seasoned journalists and leading figures in their fields—contributed to the summit’s wealth of knowledge by sharing the impacts of global and regional developments on strategic communication. The active participation of attendees ensured that the summit took place in an interactive, productive and inspiring environment.
STRATCOM Summit 2026 became a platform offering participants unique opportunities for knowledge sharing and exchange of ideas. The Summit will remain a landmark reference event in the field of strategic communication, serving as a guide for the future.
On this occasion, I once again extend my gratitude to our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his patronage and strong support.
I extend my thanks to the esteemed state and government officials, diplomats, distinguished experts, speakers and guests who honoured our summit with their presence and contributions from across the world, as well as to all my colleagues who contributed to the organisation of this summit.''
''The events of the past five to six years have demonstrated President Erdoğan’s rightness''
In response to a journalist’s question about the aims and expectations behind the organisation of STRATCOM summits by the Directorate of Communications since 2021, Head of Communications Duran stated that the programme pursues multiple objectives.
Head of Communications Duran stated that the pandemic, the Russia‑Ukraine war, Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and the ongoing conflict between the U.S.‑Israel and Iran are in fact extensions of a new reality.
Recalling that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has frequently called for a fairer world, Head of Communications Duran emphasised that the President’s words — “The world is bigger than five” and “A fairer world is possible” — draw attention to injustices, inequalities and problems within the international system.
Head of Communications Duran stated that President Erdoğan’s message was not merely a call to highlight the position of the oppressed but also an indication that the world must be rebuilt on values and norms.
Noting that the experiences of the past five to six years have demonstrated the validity of President Erdoğan’s position, Head of Communications Duran stated, “As Türkiye, we have in fact developed resilience since the 2010s in the face of cyber‑attacks, disinformation campaigns and other issues directed against Türkiye. And in this context, we prioritised strategic communication. Accordingly, at STRATCOM, our primary objective has been to explain Türkiye’s position on this matter to the world and to present our President’s vision to the world. Our second objective has been to tell our own story ourselves, while also involving other countries in this endeavour. We have also created a platform for those in our surrounding regions who have something to say, who are disturbed by the shortcomings of the current system, and who wish to bring a new voice.''
“Let us write our own story ourselves”
Emphasising that only a small number of actors in the world shape the narrative, Head of Communications Duran said, "We wanted to write our own story ourselves and to write it together. For this reason, we wanted many countries to participate here, to express their views, and to jointly articulate where the world should be heading. And I am delighted to see that this platform today serves this very purpose.''
In response to a journalist’s question about the message STRATCOM 2026—focused on a current issue—conveys to the world, Head of Communications Duran emphasised that they had given considerable thought to determining the theme.
Head of Communications Duran said, ''Where is the change in the international system heading? We are now certain that this is a rupture. In other words, we know that the world is now multipolar, but what does this multipolarity mean? What kind of alignment will there be? How will major powers, global powers, and regional powers shape their policies? This has yet to become clear. Yet, on the other hand, the conflicts and wars I mentioned earlier continue, and the risks of the emerging world are quite evident. You know, in this latest war, problems have emerged in many areas, from supply chains to security and even agriculture.''
Head of Communications Duran stated that they aimed to bring together views on how to address the multidimensional nature of these crises, adding, ''We referred to it as a search for order because we know that today the world is in an unjust and unequal state, and the current system is showing signs of collapse. Global and regional powers are trying to resolve their issues through war and conflict. The message we expressed earlier under the leadership of our President—that 'this system must change'—was not about abandoning values and norms. On the contrary, we were raising our voice because we recognised the problems of the emerging world. What needed to be done was to establish a system based on values and norms that prioritises justice and solidarity.''
''We are seeking a world of joint interaction and problem-solving''
Head of Communications Duran stated that they wanted to examine the challenges brought by this rupture, focus on the tests and threats they are facing, and understand what kinds of solutions could be developed.
Head of Communications Duran reported that participants have been actively discussing the answer to this question in the panels over the past two days, stating:
''How can we implement our own narratives and solution proposals together?'' What can be done in areas ranging from diplomacy to media? These topics have been discussed extensively. We do not want war, we do not want conflict—neither in our region nor on the global stage. We are seeking a world of diplomacy, reconciliation, joint interaction and problem-solving. Otherwise, if major and regional powers impose war and conflict as their own solutions, it is clear that the future of our world will be darker.
Head of Communications Duran stated, ''We sought to bring together those who have a say for a new world, for a brighter world, and also expressed our own message. Looking at it this way, we want STRATCOM to continue throughout the year in the participating countries with various meetings, gather these narratives and solution proposals, and then, each year in İstanbul, bring them together to convey a collective message to the world—not just our message, but the message of all participants and contributors.'
After a journalist asked about Türkiye’s perspective on ruptures in the international system and the search for order, Head of Communications Duran emphasised that they oppose unjust and unlawful interventions that disregard norms and values.
Head of Communications Duran highlighted that Türkiye’s approach focuses on generating stability and ensuring security in its region, stating, ''The importance we attach to our defence industry is also related to this. Look, Türkiye prioritises stability and security in its policies across many regions—from the Balkans to Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East—while also giving precedence to cooperation. We see no harm in sharing the capacities we have developed, including in the defence industry, with many countries. You know, in the past, capacities were not shared with Türkiye in the same way—even our allies did not share them with us—but we are now sharing these capacities with many countries to ensure security and stability. The aim here is, of course, to ensure regional peace and regional cooperation.''
Head of Communications Duran, emphasising that Türkiye’s priority is to ensure peace in its vicinity and region, continued his remarks:
''We, of course, find these emerging wars unacceptable. We consider Israel’s expansionism in the region unacceptable. We find proxy wars, unlawful attacks, the resulting hardships faced by the people, and the brutal killing of civilians unacceptable. For this reason, our President is giving priority to diplomacy. Through leader-to-leader diplomacy in meetings with leaders, and through the activities of our Minister of Foreign Affairs and other relevant officials, as well as the activities we are conducting here today at STRATCOM, we are trying to create an environment of peace and negotiation.''
Head of Communications Duran noted that, for the world to be a better place in the future, they must work together and that if issues are attempted to be resolved through force, the balance of power in the emerging world will shift in a completely different direction, resulting in a situation that is neither bright nor hopeful.
Emphasising that they have sought to be a voice of hope and a channel for diplomacy under President Erdoğan’s leadership, Head of Communications Duran stated that their strategic communication efforts are aimed at this goal.