Quote from Alex bobby on June 22, 2025, 4:49 AM

Erdogan Warns Against “New Sykes-Picot Order” as Middle East Tensions Escalate

Meta Description:
At the OIC summit in Istanbul, Turkish President Erdogan condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, likened Netanyahu to Hitler, and warned against Western plans to redraw Middle Eastern borders in a “new Sykes-Picot order.”

As tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a stark warning: the region must not allow itself to be redrawn by foreign powers under a “new Sykes-Picot order.” Speaking during the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul on Saturday, Erdogan called for greater unity among Islamic nations to counter what he described as Israeli aggression and Western interference.

“We will not allow the establishment of a new Sykes-Picot order in our region with borders to be drawn in blood,” Erdogan declared.

This pointed reference to the 1916 secret agreement between Britain and France — which divided the Ottoman Empire into spheres of influence — signals Erdogan’s growing concern that external actors are once again seeking to reshape the Middle East, this time through conflict, occupation, and proxy warfare.

Revisiting the Sykes-Picot Agreement

To understand Erdogan’s reference, it’s important to recall the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916, a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern history. The secret pact, forged during World War I, saw Britain and France agree to divide up the territories of the crumbling Ottoman Empire in the event of an Allied victory. Under the deal, France was to dominate Syria and Lebanon, while Britain would control Iraq, Jordan, and parts of Palestine.

While never officially implemented as written, the spirit of the agreement guided much of the post-war geopolitical restructuring — leading to century-long tensions, colonial legacies, and the creation of artificial borders that many argue continue to fuel modern conflicts.

Erdogan’s invocation of Sykes-Picot signals his belief that external powers — perhaps including the United States and Israel — are again seeking to redraw the map of the Middle East, this time through war, population displacement, and political destabilisation.

Erdogan Slams Israel, Compares Netanyahu to Hitler

The Turkish president didn’t stop at geopolitical warnings. He used his platform at the OIC to launch a fierce condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, comparing him directly to Adolf Hitler.

“What we are witnessing in Gaza is worse than the conditions of Nazi concentration camps,” Erdogan said. “Two million of our sisters and brothers in Gaza have been struggling to survive under these conditions for the past 21 months.”

This incendiary comparison underscores Erdogan’s deepening hostility toward Israeli actions in Gaza, which Turkey has repeatedly denounced as disproportionate, inhumane, and in violation of international law. The comment is also likely to escalate already strained Turkey-Israel relations, which have oscillated between cautious cooperation and open animosity over the past two decades.

A Call for Islamic Solidarity

At the heart of Erdogan’s speech was a call to action for the Islamic world. He urged fellow OIC member states to stand together in political and humanitarian solidarity, suggesting that Israel’s actions — and broader Western involvement in the region — threaten not only Palestinians but the sovereignty and future of all Muslim-majority countries.

“We must not allow the old colonial ambitions to reemerge in a new form,” Erdogan said. “The future of the Middle East must be decided by the people of the region — not by foreign powers or through deals made behind closed doors.”

The Turkish leader’s remarks echo a broader concern among regional powers that the current wave of conflict — particularly between Iran and Israel — could be used as a pretext to reshape alliances, borders, and influence zones, not unlike the colonial strategies of the 20th century.

Behind Closed Doors: Iran's Role in the OIC Summit

As Erdogan delivered his address, Iran reportedly requested a special closed-door session of the OIC to discuss escalating tensions with Israel. The details of the meeting remain undisclosed, but its timing is significant.

The Iran-Israel conflict has now entered its second week, raising fears of a wider regional war. Iran has warned of “strategic retaliation” in response to Israeli airstrikes, while Israel continues to assert its right to defend itself from Iranian proxy attacks in Lebanon, Syria, and beyond.

The OIC — comprising 57 member states — has often struggled to reach consensus on such divisive issues, but the urgency of the current moment may prompt a more unified stance. Erdogan’s leadership within the organisation, and his willingness to directly confront both Israel and Western powers, could play a pivotal role in shaping the bloc’s response.

Looking Ahead: A Region at a Crossroads

Erdogan’s speech in Istanbul reflects a deepening fear that history is repeating itself in the Middle East. Just as the Sykes-Picot Agreement sowed division and mistrust a century ago, today’s conflicts threaten to do the same — not through treaties, but through military campaigns and geopolitical maneuvering.

Whether or not Erdogan’s warning is heeded by other leaders remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: as Israel and Iran edge closer to open conflict, and as Gaza continues to suffer under siege, the possibility of a broader reshaping of the region is growing — and with it, the urgency for Muslim nations to act collectively.

Conclusion

President Erdogan’s warning against a “new Sykes-Picot order” reflects deep unease about foreign interference and the future of the Middle East amid escalating regional tensions. By invoking the painful memory of colonial-era deals, Erdogan signalled Turkey’s firm stance against any externally imposed restructuring of the region — especially under the guise of conflict resolution.

His fiery speech at the OIC summit, comparing Israel’s actions in Gaza to Nazi atrocities and accusing Prime Minister Netanyahu of resembling Adolf Hitler, is likely to intensify political fault lines. But beyond the rhetoric lies a serious call for Islamic unity, regional sovereignty, and resistance against neo-imperial ambitions.

As the Middle East faces the possibility of broader conflict, Erdogan's appeal to history serves as both a warning and a rallying cry: the future of the region must be shaped by its own people — not dictated by foreign powers repeating the mistakes of the past.

Erdogan, Sykes-Picot, Middle East conflict, Israel-Gaza war, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Iran-Israel tensions, Turkey foreign policy, Gaza crisis, Islamic solidarity, Netanyahu Hitler comparison