Ankara Institute Director Hatem Ete Speaks at ORSAM: “‘Turkey without Terror’ Process Should Not Be Held Hostage to Syria”
Ankara Institute Director and AYBÜ Faculty Member Hatem Ete, speaking at the “Turkey without Terror and Its Regional Reflections” panel at ORSAM, highlighted the process’s close links to developments in Syria but emphasized that the success of disarmament in Turkey should not be tied to preconditions in Syria. “Regardless of what happens in Syria, the disarmament of a 50-year-old terrorist organization is, in itself, an immense gain,” Ete said.
Ankara – The Center for Middle Eastern Studies (ORSAM) addressed the issue comprehensively in its panel titled “Turkey without Terror and Its Regional Reflections: An Orta Doğu without Terror” on October 8, 2025. Moderated by ORSAM President Kadir Temiz, the event featured Ankara Institute Director Hatem Ete alongside Roj Girasun, Director of Rawest Research; Serhan Afacan, President of İRAM; and Oytun Orhan, ORSAM Levant Studies Coordinator.
Taking the floor at the panel, Hatem Ete analyzed the dynamics that initiated the “Turkey without Terror” process about a year ago, the current risks, and its regional reflections, particularly focusing on the Syrian axis.
Two External Developments That Started the Process: Threat and Opportunity
Ete traced the process’s start to Devlet Bahçeli’s statement in October 2024, noting that at the time, the issue was not on the agenda of either politicians or the public. According to Ete, Bahçeli justified the move as a proactive measure to “gain immunity” against geopolitical threats to Turkey triggered by Israel’s actions in the region post-October 7.
However, Ete argued that the decisive development that transformed this initiative into a state project was the revolution in Syria in December. “If the revolution in Syria had not happened, this issue might have remained merely a topic Bahçeli raised and Erdoğan rhetorically supported, but never materialized, for a long time,” Ete said. Thus, the process, which began with a “threat” perception, gained momentum by meeting an “opportunity” perception following the developments in Syria.
“The Process Should Not Be Mortgaged to Syria”
In his speech, Ete stated that Syria has always been a key element in the process for both the state and the PKK, recalling that a primary reason for the failure of the 2013-2015 resolution process was the PKK’s unwillingness to disarm in Turkey due to potential gains in Syria.
Ete noted that while both sides are currently careful not to let Syria become an obstacle, he warned of the risks of Turkey indexing the process to developments there:
“In the 2013-2015 process, Turkey was ready to resolve it, but the PKK derailed it with its ambitions in Syria. Now, as the disarmament process is set to be resolved, Turkey must not allow this process to be derailed this time due to its ambitions in Syria. I do not think it is right to focus the entire issue on Syria and regional dynamics, and to send a subconscious message that it will be meaningless in Turkey if success is not achieved there.”
Ete emphasized that while Turkey cannot unilaterally determine the timeline and scope in Syria, it possesses “extraordinary instruments” to resolve the issue within its own borders.
“The PKK Has Made a Strategic Decision”
Hatem Ete stated his belief that Öcalan and the PKK have made a strategic decision to no longer wage armed struggle in Turkey. According to Ete, unlike previous processes, this call for disarmament was not tied to steps the state would take, but was instead based on the thesis that “the weapon has reached the end of its useful life.”
However, Eto also noted that the gains in Syria hold a “red apple” status among Kurds in Turkey, adding that he expects Öcalan to intervene to moderate the maximalist stance within the SDG.
The panel concluded after presentations from other speakers and a question-and-answer session.
