Turkish official says narrative power is key in fragmented world

2026-02-07 - 11:55

Türkiye's top communications official has delivered a sweeping analysis of global power dynamics, arguing that wars are now fought as much through narratives and digital platforms as on physical battlefields. Speaking at the 17th Al Jazeera Forum in Doha, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran framed the conflict in Gaza as a symptom of a deeper, systemic transformation, urging regional actors to reclaim narrative authority and build a justice-based order. Analysis of a transitioned world and information warfare Duran contended that the world has moved beyond a state of transition, stating, "The world is not just transitioning. It has already transitioned." He described a system marked by fractured norms, institutional failure, and the grim reality of tolerated genocide. A defining feature of this era, he argued, is the full integration of information warfare into conflict, where "narrative is power" and "algorithmic control" by tech firms dictates visibility and credibility. This new form of domination, he warned, makes truth a contested and vulnerable commodity. The centrality of justice and regional agency In response to this fragmentation, Duran proposed "justice" as the foundational principle for generating legitimate political order, arguing that "justice produces legitimacy." He rooted this concept in the region's intellectual tradition, from al-Farabi to Ibn Khaldun. Emphasizing "regional ownership," he insisted that "regional problems demand regional solutions." He warned that without collective action and regional diplomacy, local conflicts become "fuel for global anarchy." The path to ending wars, he said, lies not in ceasefires alone but in governance, reconstruction, and inclusive political frameworks. Türkiye's vision and call for collective action Duran outlined Türkiye's concrete contributions to regional stability, citing its roles in facilitating the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process, the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and diplomatic efforts regarding Iran. He called for a new regional security architecture based on inclusive cooperation and mutual trust. The ultimate goal, he stated, is to "build an information, knowledge, and diplomacy ecosystem of our own" that reflects regional realities and fosters collective wisdom. He concluded by framing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's call for a fairer world as a strategic vision, urging defense of truth and cross-border cooperation to ensure the changed world moves "in the right direction."