Yeni Yaşam writer Şinasi Atabey wrote an article on the Third World War, the meaning of the war between the U.S.-Israel and Iran, and the situation of the Kurds in this conflict-ridden atmosphere. 

 

Atabey's analysis titled “The Kurdish revolution is taking place in the Third World War” reads: The Third World War is intensifying. It is a war of hegemony. The United States is developing a new type of warfare to avoid losing its hegemony. China, which combines socialism and capitalism, represents the other pole in this hegemonic struggle.

 

The Cold War ended in the 1990s. Neoliberalism declared victory. However, neoliberalism is now also experiencing a crisis. War is being deployed as a means to resolve this crisis. The military buildup against Iran is seen as the key to resolving the hegemonic struggle. If the United States can detach Iran from China and make it dependent on itself, it may extend the life of its hegemony by another 40–50 years. Just as Russia’s path was blocked in Ukraine, China’s path is intended to be blocked in Iran.

 

THIRD WORLD WAR DECISIVE FOR THE FATE OF KURDS’

 

For the Kurds, the Third World War is decisive for their fate. In the First World War, the October Revolution occurred, and in the Second World War revolutions like those in China and Vietnam took place. Under the conditions of the Third World War, the Kurdish revolution is also taking place. Of course, the Kurdish revolution is quite different from the others. The Kurdish revolution is a positive revolution; it does not primarily aim to overthrow a state and establish another. It is realized by building a democratic society/nation based on communes. Its positive character comes from this quality. Another feature is that this positive revolution stands both against the status quo and against external powers such as the United States. It accepts neither the status quo nor hegemony. Because of this character, Rojava became a target for what is called a second ‘15 February.’

 

LESSONS FROM ROJAVA

 

Free will and an independent line are the essence of the positive revolution. This essence was implemented fully in Rojava. However, it appears that excessive reliance was placed on hegemonic powers. Tactical relations were pulled toward the limits of engagement. The philosophy of the rose and the thorn and the third way were not implemented, or only minimally. Yet it was known that hegemonic powers would impose their own strategies. Serious lessons must be drawn from the shocking ten days experienced by the Kurdish world at the beginning of the new year. The roles of hegemonic powers and their collaborators in the Middle East are clear, but we also know that the decisive factor is always the internal dynamic. Free will and self-power have always been decisive.

 

IF A TRANSFORMATION DOES NOT OCCUR THE CLASSICAL PERSONALITY RESURFACES

 

On this basis, the main questioning should be internal. Was revolutionary life taken as the basis, or conformism? Winning or losing begins in life itself. In fact, conformism has developed everywhere, more than is assumed. Communal life has almost been abandoned. ‘Little South’ has become a mirror for all of us. Generally, when good opportunities emerge among us, distortions also appear. This stems from the classic Kurdish personality. If a transformation of mentality and personality does not occur, the classical personality resurfaces. In fact, the age of strategic thinking has begun for the Kurds. The developed Kurdish mind expresses this. However, the strategic personality that would make this strategic mind functional has not developed among us. Therefore, our wisdom still comes too late. Yet the strategic Kurdish mind was developed precisely so that it would come first. Instead of being internalized and turned into a fundamental way of thinking, personality, or life, it was brushed aside with slogans and demagogic debates. Don't slogan-like speeches and abstract writings show this? Everyone speaks in the concepts of the strategic Kurdish mind. One admires every article that is written, but when it comes to lifestyle, relationships, and practical politics, what prevails is familism, traditionalism, and statism. Why is there such a gap between theory and practice? Interestingly, either each of us is strangely satisfied with ourselves, or we shift all responsibility onto others.

 

THE STRATEGIC KURDISH MIND MUST BE CORRECTLY UNDERSTOOD

 

Once again, it has been seen that hegemonic powers and their collaborators want to bury the Kurds back in the grave whenever they find the opportunity. In fact, that grave has been cracked open, but the Kurds are still in the cemetery. Existence has not yet gained freedom. Despite this reality, the Kurds still deceive themselves with immature dreams. Perhaps there are no other people in the world who deceive themselves as much as the Kurds do. The grave has been cracked open. Because it has not yet been left behind, it is possible to be buried again at any moment. Despite all its deficiencies in practical politics, a Kurdish dynamic has emerged. Based on what happened in Rojava, many claim that the Kurdish dynamic has suffered a strategic blow. In reality, what has been struck is right-wing liberalism and conformism. The Kurdish dynamic has not suffered a strategic blow. On the contrary, it has moved from the depths and destruction has been prevented. If the strategic Kurdish mind is applied this time, and if the construction of a Democratic Society/Nation is truly realized, a great opportunity will emerge. This opportunity has been created. We know that great developments can arise even from the smallest possibilities. But we should not forget that politics on Kurdish grounds is conducted at the edge of an abyss. To avoid falling into this abyss, the strategic Kurdish mind must be correctly understood and internalized. Otherwise, falling into the abyss would not be difficult.