On the margins of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, the panel titled "Beyond the Post-Cold War Order: Navigating an Era of Strategic Uncertainty" was held as part of the "Allies in Ankara" programme, co-organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, the Munich Security Conference (MSC), and the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA).
The panel titled "Beyond the Post-Cold War Order: Navigating an Era of Strategic Uncertainty" was attended by Fuat Oktay, Chairman of the Committee on Parliamentary Foreign Affairs at the GNAT and AK Party Ankara Deputy; Nuh Yılmaz, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Damascus; Maka Botchorishvili, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia; and Emile Hokayem, Director of Regional Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
Speaking at the panel, Oktay thanked those who helped organise the event and stated that uncertainty in the current international system affects the entire planet.
Oktay, while providing historical information on the current period of global uncertainty, emphasised that one of the most important things Türkiye has accomplished in this process is its capacity to transform wars, conflicts, and competition into friendship, alliance, and collaboration.
Oktay noted the recent decline in trust in international institutions, stating that Türkiye anticipated these changes.
Oktay described unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as an example of how artificial intelligence and technological transformation have altered the perception of security.
Oktay underscored that UAVs and other mobile systems had transformed the essence of combat and added that Ankara had recognised this development early and prepared accordingly.
Future of Syria
Ambassador Yılmaz said that terrorism, polarisation, and sanctions were Syria's greatest challenges six or seven months ago, underlining that Israel has also brought instability to the country and exacerbated its issues.
Explaining that terrorism is no longer one of the primary concerns but remains a threat in the country under current circumstances, Yılmaz noted that almost all sanctions have been lifted.
Yılmaz pointed out that Syria has become a safer place and that the country has fully eliminated uncertainty and achieved stability to a certain extent through cooperation with regional countries.
"Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye Cooperation"
Botchorishvili said that although her country is not a NATO member, NATO and Georgia have maintained a stable relationship for many years.
Reminding that Georgia has contributed to NATO operations such as the one in Afghanistan, Botchorishvili emphasised that strengthening their partnership with NATO is crucial to their long-term strategic objectives.
Recognising that her country's geographical location presents unique challenges and opportunities, Botchorishvili shared that maintaining peace and stability is the core priority of both foreign and domestic policy for Tbilisi.
Noting that Georgia does not believe conflict resolution can be achieved through military methods, Botchorishvili indicated that the strategic importance of the South Caucasus is increasing by the day.
"The regional cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye is a highly successful example. The strong strategic partnership we have developed over decades also holds a distinct meaning in terms of security today," Minister Botchorishvili said, adding that successful energy and transport projects are not merely economic ventures but have become initiatives that contribute to regional security.
Hokayem also pointed to the impact of the US and Israel-Iran War on the international system, saying that the war has torn the region apart.
Indicating that the Transatlantic community now recognises that its past initiatives have failed to yield any tangible security in practice, Hokayem added that the bloc is experiencing an internal struggle.