TCG Anadolu: a game-changer for Türkiye's naval strategy

Those who failed to see the value of the Türkiye-made aircraft carrier, TCG Anadolu, need only look at the commanders-in-chief of air forces – including the chief of staff – gathering to take a selfie with the ship. It is indeed a first. These people, living at the top of the state level and security, by restraining even their most humane behaviors, were “happy like children” in front of the TCG Anadolu.

“Pride” was the dominant emotion during the delivery of Türkiye’s largest warship to the navy with a ceremony. The shipyard, its staff, engineers, the Turkish Armed Forces, of course, mariners in particular, politicians, everyone was proud.

But it was mostly the people, who are the owners of the warship, the navy, the army, the money that made this possible, the political power, and the country, who were proud. Those who called it a “mock-up” may not have been proud, but we don’t see those who fail to share common achievements and griefs as part of the nation anyway.

Those who would keep quiet if we were to buy the ship for five-tenfold more from the U.S. or the U.K. for an army we advanced with our national power, still have the audacity to speak nonsense and question, “why do we need an aircraft carrier?”

Without going back to the recent past or to even likely national security threats, I will explain “what we need it for right now.”

The U.S. nuclear submarine USS San Juan has currently docked at the Southern Cypriot port of Limassol.

This is such a disturbing development that the Foreign Ministry made the following statement: “We strongly support the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Foreign Ministry’s statement regarding the mooring of a U.S. attack submarine at a Southern Cypriot port, and Southern Cyprus’s armament activities. Steps taken by the U.S. on the island of Cyprus at the cost of spoiling the balance, and encouraging Southern Cyprus to arm, provide no contribution at all to the region’s stability. We call on the U.S. to review these policies once more, and remind that our country will continue to defend with determination the TRNC’s rights and interests under every condition.”

If you think it ends at this, you are mistaken. Look at the where the U.S. nuclear and attack submarine located, and the location of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant on the map, which will be inaugurated on April 27, and you will immediately understand the message! (“Artık uçak gemisi olan nükleer bir güçsünüz,” 08/04.)

This is not only an organized action but it is also focused on the elections.

One other part of the combination took place in Sulaymaniyah.

A convoy carrying the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)/People’s Protection Units (YPG) terrorist organization’s so-called commander, terrorist Ferhat Şahin, and the U.S. troops with him, was attacked by an armed unmanned aerial vehicle (SİHA). The event, also confirmed by CENTCOM, the cause of all sorts of inhumane operations in the region was interpreted as a “warning fire/caution,” and of course it carried a “message.” Both to the U.S. and to Sulaymaniyah! (“MGK, ABD’yi parmağıyla gösterdi; helikopterdeki sendin,” 01/04.)

Naturally, Washington read the message but its response again is the same through Pentagon; “We will continue to support our local partners.”

Could there be anything not understood?

U.S. means and capacities to stop the region’s changing dynamics are diminishing by the day. It has nothing left other than military power.

Hence, the U.S. sent another nuclear submarine, the USS Florida, loaded with more than 150 guided missiles to Basra and Iran. (Remember that a Russian frigate carrying Zircon hypersonic missiles docked in Jeddah last week, after a decade.)

That’s not all. Remember that one of the U.S.’s largest aircraft carriers, the USS George W. H. Bush in the Mediterranean, positioned near the Syrian coast – which is near Türkiye as well – following the attack on bases where U.S. troops are deployed. This is not in relation to the events in Syria alone. This is one of the manifestations against the convergence between Russia, Türkiye, Iran, and Syria as well.

We haven’t even mentioned waters like the Black Sea, which bears burning risks, with the “East-West war” on its coast. We didn’t even touch on Greece, the Aegean, Libya, Israel, the energy wars.

The destination point for all these fluctuations is the upcoming elections in Türkiye. “Anadolu” (Anatolia), defending its “independence,” is the target of all the developments mentioned here! “Anadolu” is the steel embodiment of the Anatolian spirit! That is what the flag and Quran on it represent.

Calling these “mock-ups” is the partnership of those opening the “century-old Republic to discussion on its centenary” with the invaders!

Let alone, your “total” numbers, which we call “combination,” is the spread of the attacks through the ground. It doesn’t have to be TCG Anadolu.

The Washington Post reported that certain private documents said to be leaked from Pentagon stated, “the Russian Wagner mercenaries requested weapons from Türkiye.” Some of our own media outlets jumped at this claim.

The allegation that NATO member Türkiye provided weapons to Russia, is simply a new addition to the examples of slanders made during the eve of elections in efforts to denigrate.

U.S. Department of State Head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination James O’Brian – who was in Türkiye in February, and threatened our companies, our banks with the risk of sanction – saying, “We want to see a reduction in Türkiye’s economic relations, trade with Russia. The trade data in March and April will be the sole figures we pay attention to,” is a different front of the same attack. The elections are due in May anyway.

Have no doubt that this and most similar demands will be realized under the coalition of the table of six and its partners.

The gigantic TCG Anadolu is not only the new protector of the Blue Homeland, but also the Anatolia prayer for Türkiye in the fast-approaching elections.