Europe has recently faced major crises. The European Union's efforts to create an effective political union on the continent have failed. Inevitably, future efforts in this direction will also fail, because the number and impact of political fault lines on the continent are steadily increasing.
While the most meaningful distinction was once between EU members and non-member countries, this distinction has completely lost its meaning today. As a result of certain continental and global developments, political fault lines both within and outside the EU have begun to profoundly affect continental politics.
There are several critical divisions in European politics today. The first is between the more developed and prosperous West and the less developed and less prosperous East. Eastern states struggle in terms of security because they sense a direct threat from Russia.
The second political rift is a growing one between the North, which has a higher standard of living, and the South, which faces many socioeconomic challenges. They also face significant security problems related to irregular migration from the Mediterranean.
Another one exists between the EU, centered around continental Europe, and NATO, led by the United States. This division is developing primarily along a political axis. European states such as France and Germany, which are striving for greater autonomy in international politics, seek to distinguish themselves from NATO, which remains largely under U.S. leadership. However, this fault line becomes more complex when considering other important European countries that see themselves as closely aligned with the U.S.
The fourth is an ideological division that is forming between those who envision a more democratic Europe and those who believe in a far-right, even totalitarian and fascist, vision of Europe. The Europe that blended diverse lifestyles is on the verge of disappearing. In its place, increasingly nationalist intellectual currents have begun to gain influence, drawing on religious references while remaining rooted in a fundamentally secular political outlook. It seems that this division will further intensify its influence in the coming period.
The last political fault line in Europe is between states supporting genocidal Israel and those opposing its crimes. While many European states, such as Germany and France, continue to support Israel's crimes against humanity, states like Ireland, Spain and Norway have adopted a stance demanding that Israel be restrained and stopped as soon as possible.
Europe, mired in such diverse political differences and conflicts across various dimensions, also faces economic problems. More importantly, it has become unable to compete globally in the defense industry, emerging technologies, digitalization and artificial intelligence.
Despite all their problems, European countries and the EU, the continent's most important political representative, continue to see themselves as superior to every state and region. They still view non-Western countries with an arrogant and hierarchical perspective. Either they do not see that the world is changing, or they choose not to see it.
Given this situation, many state officials and politicians are sending different messages to Europe to make it understand. The most painful messages to Europe come from the U.S. and its leader, Donald Trump. President Trump constantly reminds European states that they need to stand on their own feet and develop their self-defense capabilities.
In this context, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in an interview with Al-Jazeera, sent a different message to the EU. He reminded them that conditions in Europe, Türkiye and the world have changed, and that relations need to be redefined in a new equation and balance. President Erdoğan rightfully stated that Europe needs Türkiye more than Türkiye needs Europe.
Europe needs to reconsider its stance and develop a new political perspective. With a significant Russian threat already on its doorstep and lagging behind the world in many areas, it is unacceptable for the EU to consider countries like Türkiye via a subordinate-superior relationship.
Will the EU be able to correctly interpret the messages conveyed to it in the coming period? Will it remain dependent on the shallow politics of Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration? We will find out soon.
