Peter Sammons considers the ambition to reclaim the past. Part 2 of 3 – Turkey.
History Repeats
Last month we commented on the propensity of history to ‘repeat’ itself*. Such truth is exposed in the Bible, not just in casual evaluation of history. Our world presently faces three national leaders who seek to take their nations back to what they perceive as ‘halcyon’ days. These are President Vladimir Putin (Russia), President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an (Turkey), and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (India). Their overlapping ambitions, supported by much of their ‘electorate’ (sic) appear to affirm the Bible’s view of the world in its end-game. *
We look at the three in turn. In this second comment, Erdo?an and Turkey.
President Erdo?an’s domestic and foreign policy over the past decade reveals ideological and strategic ambition to recreate elements of the Ottoman Empire. Though not yet in the form of territorial conquest or dynastic monarchy, Erdo?an’s actions display a pattern of neo-Ottomanism—a political-cultural agenda seeking to reassert Turkish leadership across former Ottoman lands, revive Islamic civilizational identity, and consolidate executive authority modeled on the imperial tradition. By reshaping Turkey’s identity, expanding its influence in the Middle East and Balkans, and re-Islamizing the public sphere, Erdo?an is crafting a modern iteration of Ottoman grandeur tailored for contemporary geopolitical and domestic purposes.
Since coming to power, and particularly over the past decade, Turkish President Erdo?an has pursued policies that go beyond conventional nationalism or conservative governance. His project is better understood as neo-Ottomanism—an ideological framework seeking to revive the spiritual, cultural, and geopolitical legacy of the Ottoman Empire. His foreign interventions, domestic Islamization, constitutional centralization, and symbolic gestures suggest a clear objective: to reestablish Turkey as the leading power in the Muslim world and the broader post-Ottoman space.
Foreign Policy – Asserting Influence
Erdo?an’s foreign policy over the past decade shows a systematic expansion of Turkish influence across the former Ottoman domains, especially in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Balkans:
*Syria and Northern Iraq: Turkey has conducted multiple military operations in Syria since 2016 (e.g., Operation Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, and Peace Spring) and maintains de facto control over parts of northern Syria. Similarly, Turkish bases in northern Iraq aim to project influence into Kurdish and Arab areas that were once Ottoman provinces.
*Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean: Erdo?an’s intervention in Libya’s civil war (supporting the UN-recognized Government of National Accord) and aggressive maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean reflect a revival of Ottoman-era interests in North Africa and regional naval dominance.
*Balkan Engagements: Turkey has invested heavily in Balkan nations like Bosnia and Albania, funding mosques, cultural centers, and schools while promoting Ottoman heritage. This soft power strategy aims to re-forge religious and historical ties with Muslim communities across Southeast Europe.
*Military Bases and Soft Power: Turkey has established military bases in Somalia, Qatar, and Sudan, mirroring Ottoman military routes and supporting Turkish influence under the guise of mutual security and development.
These moves mirror the Ottoman tradition of regional hegemony—militarily assertive yet justified by a “civilizational mission” to protect and lead Muslims.
Domestic Policy – Imperial Symbolism
Erdo?an’s domestic policy has systematically dismantled the secular framework of Kemalist Turkey, replacing it with a public Islamic identity more in tune with Ottoman traditions:
*Re-Islamization of Public Life: Erdo?an has overseen an unprecedented expansion of religious education, the promotion of Ottoman-Islamic values in school curricula, and increased state funding for Diyanet (Turkey’s religious affairs directorate), now one of the most powerful arms of the state.
*Hagia Sophia and Symbolic Reversals: The conversion of Hagia Sophia from a museum back into a mosque in 2020 was a deeply symbolic act. It reversed a key secularist reform of Atatürk and directly invoked the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople by Mehmed II.
*Promotion of Ottoman History and Culture: Erdo?an’s government has funded lavish television dramas (e.g., Dirili?: Ertu?rul) that glorify Ottoman history. These are not just entertainment; they serve as tools of cultural indoctrination emphasizing Islamic heroism, empire-building, and Turkish exceptionalism.
This cultural policy aligns with a desire to cultivate a neo-Ottoman national identity in place of the secular nationalism that defined the Turkish Republic throughout the 20th century.
Centralization of Power in the Executive
Erdo?an has restructured the Turkish political system in a way mirroring the ‘sultanic model’ of Ottoman governance:
*Presidential System and Constitutional Reform: The 2017 constitutional referendum abolished the parliamentary system in favor of a centralized executive presidency. Erdo?an now wields authority over the judiciary, legislature, and bureaucracy—akin to the autocratic power once held by Ottoman sultans.
*Cult of Leadership: Erdo?an is frequently portrayed in state media and public discourse as a paternal, divinely-ordained leader. Such veneration, coupled with appeals to religious legitimacy, echoes the Ottoman image of the sultan-caliph as both political and spiritual guardian.
Restructuring of the state reflects not just pragmatic power consolidation, but a deliberate return to the imperial ethos of centralized, almost sacred authority. [ An interesting parallel here with Putin’s leaning-in to the Russian Orthodox church ] .
Ideological Mission – Civilizational Leadership
Beyond nationalism, Erdo?an projects Turkey as the rightful leader of the Muslim world—a role the Ottoman Empire historically claimed through the institution of the Caliphate:
*Defense of Muslims Worldwide: Erdo?an has positioned himself as a global spokesman for Muslim causes, criticizing Western powers for Islamophobia and intervening rhetorically and materially in conflicts involving Muslims (e.g., Palestine, Rohingya, Kashmir).
*Caliphate Symbolism: While Erdo?an has not openly called for the restoration of the Caliphate, many of his supporters and media organs flirt with the idea. His frequent use of Ottoman Islamic rhetoric—referring to Turkey as the protector of the “ummah”—invokes a spiritual succession to the Caliphate’s legacy.
This ideological posture is not merely populist, but positions Erdo?an as the modern embodiment of the Ottoman civilizational mission.
Christian Comment
President Erdo?an’s actions reveal a concerted effort to reconstitute Turkey’s identity and role in the world along neo-Ottoman lines. Through foreign intervention in former Ottoman territories, re-Islamization of public life, restructuring of political power, and symbolic appeals to Ottoman grandeur, Erdo?an seeks to revive empire in function, if not in form. But where do his ambitions end? His project is one of imperial memory, cultural revivalism, and regional dominance—a modern expression of the Ottoman legacy adapted for a 21st-century geopolitical order. While cloaked in national and religious legitimacy, the underlying aim is clear: to transform Turkey into the spiritual and political heir of its imperial past.
Thus far much of what we have said is being said by political commentators, and historians. But what the emerging autocracies remind us is that our Lord Jesus warned of ‘kingdom against kingdom, and ethnic versus ethnic (Matthew 24:7 ; Mark 13:8). Revelation warns of a King of the North, a King of the South, and a King of the East. It seems likely that Turkey will have some active involvement in end time military maneuverings, possibly in concert with Russia. Which brings us to our third article. Please look out for India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Peter Sammons wrote “Last Days and End Times – What Jesus Says About The Future” which looks in detail at what the Bible reveals about Man’s heart, and our collective futures: https://christian-publications-int.com/Last_Days_and_End%20Times.html
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