Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran penned for Anadolu on the fifth of The International Strategic Communication Summit (Stratcom Summit) 2026.
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The international system today is undergoing not only a phase of temporary turbulence but also a profound and structural transformation. Successive regional conflicts, intensifying geopolitical competition, and the inadequacy of global governance mechanisms clearly demonstrate that the existing order is no longer sustainable. At the core of these crises and uncertainties lie the shortcomings of the dominant paradigm, institutions, mechanisms, and norms of the international system established in the aftermath of the Second World War in addressing present-day challenges, as well as their contribution to the deepening of existing issues and uncertainties.
In fact, this reality is openly voiced across international platforms by Western policymakers and the intelligentsia, who are the founding actors of the current order. On these platforms, scrutiny extends not only to crises but also to the post–Second World War international system’s capacity to generate norms, as well as its commitment to equal representation and legitimacy.
Discussing order-building, stabilizing role of strategic communication
Moreover, the legitimacy crisis within the international system fundamentally stems from a lack of representation and the erosion of the sense of justice. In this context, criticisms of the under-representation of non-Western perspectives and the disproportionate influence of certain dominant powers over international institutions are finding wider resonance. The rise of global issues such as injustice, inequality, and discrimination weakens trust in states and the public order, heightens societal vulnerabilities, and prompts widespread questioning among the masses regarding the legitimacy of the international system. This represents not only a political dispute but also a breakdown in communication. This is due to the system’s diminishing ability to explain and validate itself. In light of this, the main theme of the STRATCOM Summit in İstanbul on 27–28 March has been designated as "Disruption in the International System: Crises, Narratives, and the Search for Order." Within this framework, we will discuss the order-building and stabilizing role of strategic communication in an era marked by rising global uncertainty and accelerated structural disintegration.
The repercussions and emerging realities of the conflict, initiated by US-Israel strikes against Iran and followed by Iran’s retaliatory actions targeting Gulf countries, which have since escalated into a regional war, will undoubtedly constitute a central agenda item at this year’s STRATCOM Summit. This conflict, in which essential infrastructure and energy facilities in our region have been directly targeted, has triggered a multidimensional global crisis. Profoundly impacting international security, energy security, trade routes, global logistics, and supply chains, this crisis has also called into question the construction of legitimacy at the international level through the divisions it has produced worldwide.
This summit—the largest international summit organized globally following the outbreak of the war, which constitutes one of the 21st century’s most significant challenges through the fractures it has created—provides an important interactive platform for discussing the geopolitical fractures generated by the crisis and their implications for the realm of communication. The disinformation campaigns and psychological warfare tactics we witnessed before and during the conflict have once again demonstrated the importance of strategic communication within the framework of national security. Therefore, this summit is quite significant for addressing the communication and narrative dimensions of the deep fault lines the war has created in the international system.
The issue confronting us today is not solely a shift in the balance of power. Indeed, the issue is also the transformation of global narratives, perceptions, and the processes of information generation. At this point, strategic communication is no longer merely a complementary element of the foreign policy sets adopted by a state, but a multiplier of power embedded at their core. In such an era where truth is overshadowed by disinformation, information spreads rapidly, but trust erodes at an equal rate; communication is not only a process of conveyance but also a matter of constructing legitimacy.
On the other hand, the pressing issues of the present day, namely wars, conflicts, irregular migration, food security, energy supply, climate change, and disinformation in the digital domain, necessitate the development of a new understanding of communication, grounded in international cooperation and trust. Outdated instruments, methods, and concepts remain insufficient in explaining and solving these problems, setting the stage for new crises. At this moment, it is undoubtedly necessary to forge a new language of communication and an environment of trust that is fair, transparent, and inclusive, guided by the concepts of human dignity, collective wisdom, and global solidarity. This is precisely where strategic communication comes into play.
New communication ethic anchored in human dignity
From this perspective, strategic communication is not only an instrument but also a responsibility. The construction of a fairer, more inclusive, and more balanced international order can only be achieved through the right communication strategies. What we need today is a new communication ethic anchored in truth rather than speed, justice rather than power, and human dignity rather than engagement count. We in Türkiye conduct ourselves, mindful of this responsibility. Indeed, our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's maxim, "The world is bigger than five", epitomizes this very understanding. This approach is not just a criticism; it is also the articulation of an alternative global vision.
Türkiye has emerged as a regional power while also serving as a balancing and facilitating actor on a global scale through the multi-dimensional foreign policy and active diplomacy that it has pursued in recent years. In a period marked by the demise of global stability and the transformation of our region into a ring of fire, the foreign policy vision and leader-to-leader diplomacy of our President have proven crucial. The Black Sea Grain Initiative within the context of the Russia–Ukraine war, Türkiye’s diplomatic engagements in the Middle East, and its mediation efforts in Africa represent only a few examples of its concrete contributions to peace and stability. What most strongly underpins Türkiye’s role as a mediator is its ability to build trust between parties. In an international environment increasingly shaped by polarization, an approach that maintains balanced relations with diverse actors while recognizing the sensibilities of all sides is of particular importance. This approach allows Türkiye to focus not only on managing crises but also on generating lasting solutions. At a time when the legitimacy of the international order is being questioned, Türkiye is emerging as a respected, order-shaping actor, guided by a human-centered foreign policy rooted in global conscience and a sense of justice.
Guided by this responsibility, as the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, we aim—drawing inspiration from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s call that “A Fairer World Is Possible”—to make Türkiye’s voice heard more clearly, more effectively, and more accurately throughout this period of transformation. Launched five years ago in line with this approach, the STRATCOM Summit represents a tangible embodiment of this vision. Our aim is not only to convey Türkiye’s perspective but also to contribute to the development of a more just, transparent, and accountable global communication ecosystem by fulfilling our responsibilities in the field of communication, as in all other fields.
Goal is to foster a multidimensional platform for consultation on future of global system
The STRATCOM Summit reflects both Türkiye’s strategic communication vision and its institutional capacity. STRATCOM is not merely a summit; it is also a brand, a platform for ideas, and a ground for engagement developed by Türkiye in the field of global communication. With the summit to be held in İstanbul on 27–28 March, our goal is to bring together leaders, diplomats, communication professionals, academics, and opinion leaders from across different regions to foster a multidimensional platform for consultation on the future of the global system.
In this sense, the STRATCOM Summit is not only a forum for discussing current challenges but also an initiative that seeks to shape the communication paradigms of the future. The topics to be addressed span a wide range—from global governance to climate diplomacy and from digitalization to public opinion management. This underscores a key reality: in the emerging era, power will be defined not only by military and economic capabilities but also by the capacity to shape narratives, generate meaning, and build trust.
Ultimately, the world is crossing a new threshold. As established paradigms dissolve, the search for alternatives is gaining momentum at this threshold. In this process, Türkiye is positioning itself not as a passive observer but as an active founding actor. The STRATCOM Summit stands as one of the clearest manifestations of this resolve. We believe that this platform will not only help shed light on today’s crises but also contribute to building a more just, inclusive, and balanced international order for the future.
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