Antalya summit to prove seminal for G20's global reach


Turkey, as the term-president of the G20, is hosting this year's Leaders Summit. The summit will see leaders discussing the lingering effects of the global economic crisis, the systemic economic risks the world currently faces and new investment and growth opportunities, while the major issue that trumps them all will be the threat posed by terrorism. We, as Daily Sabah, unreservedly condemn the terrorist attacks in Paris that occurred days before the G20 summit.Among other topics of discussion are ways to integrate poor countries into the global economic system, eradicating global imbalance and the growing refugee problem. It is inevitable that the Paris attacks will cast a serious shadow over the entire proceedings and economic matters will be pushed slightly into the background.It should not be forgotten that political and social globalization spread much faster than an economic globalization based on "Inclusivity, Implementation and Investment." It needs to be acknowledged that in the New World Order or Disorder, Balzac's "Killing a Chinese Mandarin" parable is not possible. It is not possible to commit an evil act with the hope of it remaining unknown. Any crime committed anywhere in the world creates a ripple effect. It is time the world realizes that the Syrian crisis cannot be considered an internal matter. Rather, it is an infection caused by a lack of legitimate authority that is spreading terrorism and chaos across the region. It is obvious that occupation, drones, logistical support or security paranoia will not provide a solution. Any failed state in the region allows the incubation and growth of terrorists groups that feed on anti-Western rhetoric.Ever since the U.S.-led occupation of Afghanistan that came after the 9/11 attacks, terrorism and counterterrorism has become more complicated. The terror spread by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) cannot be eradicated by airstrikes from an international coalition.*International counterterrorism and intelligence-sharing methodology may need changing. Counterterrorism literature needs to take in to account for social facts and identity crises.*Several urgent precautions need to be taken before attempting to tackle larger structural measures. Setting up a safe zone and a no-fly zone in northern Syria followed by creating safe cities in the region for refugees should be a priority. Countries will need to talk about sharing the cost rather than sharing the burden if they fail to do so. The instability in the south has already cost Turkey dearly, as can be seen in the attacks in Diyarbakır, Suruç and Ankara in the past six months. In the past, Daily Sabah repeatedly stressed the fact that Turkey has been left alone in the war against terror and that ISIS, refugees and the Syrian crisis cannot be seen as merely Turkey's problem. Friday's attacks in Paris are the latest consequence of the world's deafness to Turkey's repeated warnings. It should come as no surprise if continued inaction and failure to address the cause rather than the effects will result in the further spread of terrorism and refugee problems across oceans.As Daily Sabah, we hope that today's G20 summit will become a watershed moment in transforming the organization into a platform capable of resolving global problems. This is what the world desperately needs. The G20's democratic decision-making mechanism and bureaucratic structure needs to be bolstered, along with measures that will ensure decisions taken are binding for all.The U.N.'s continued incapacity to take action concerning issues of global importance can be overcome by utilizing the immense potential of the G20. The devastation in Paris has once again highlighted the significance of the G20, along with the essential need to tackle the refugee and terrorism problems. As we once again condemn the Paris attacks, we also hope that it will not spur another wave of Islamophobic rhetoric.