8th TGF Vision Document Red Apple for Security Partnership

8th TÜRKIYE-GULF DEFENSE and SECURITY FORUM
Red Apple for Security Partnership

(21-22 November 2024, Istanbul)

Despite a strong historical and cultural background, the relations between Türkiye and the Middle East, or more narrowly, Türkiye and the Gulf Countries, where strategic dialogue is still evolving, need to transform from a fragile axis into a cooperation axis that adapts to new balances, roles, and alliances. When viewed with vision and sagacity, this has been tested in various crises that the spirit of history and time has reminded us of for a long time.

Beyond the fraternity of religion, language, history, and geography, "strategic interdependence and trust-building" is the essential mental threshold in Türkiye-Gulf (Arab) relations. Proper management to prevent inter-country priorities and differences from turning into regional weakness and security vulnerabilities will be possible by focusing on common risks and opportunities.

The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran is significant within the context of the geopolitical and geostrategic position of the Gulf. Historically, in this rivalry, the sectarian divide between Sunni and Shia on a regional level is a critical issue. The Arab Spring, which began in December 2010, has further strengthened Iran in the Middle East and increased sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shia for Gulf countries. The ongoing civil wars in Syria and Yemen, in particular, have deepened the geopolitical and geo-economic problems within the Gulf countries.

Since the invasion of Iraq, Iran's Shiite-oriented expansionist and encircling policies have increased the perception of national security threats in Gulf countries and the Arab world, especially Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the control of the Shiite Houthis over the capital Sana'a and the northern regions of the country in Yemen has led to the emergence of a regional "alliance belt" in the Middle East.

The proposed new model called the Ideo-Pragmatic Model (IPM) is described as the best model to explain the security and foreign policies of ideologically motivated authoritarian states like Iran. Depending on the nature of the threat to the survival of the state, the country chooses either pragmatic or ideological approaches. The same model can be used to analyze the security and foreign policy approaches of countries like Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela.

The 8th Türkiye-Gulf Defense and Security Forum, where representatives from Türkiye and Gulf Countries in the defense, security, and space sectors and institutions will come together, will be held in conjunction with the Istanbul Security Conference, which has become a global brand. The forum will continue to contribute to strategic cooperation and mutual capacity building, strengthening inventory/ecosystem needs.

Sub-Themes

New Red Apples in the Turkish-Arab Security Ecosystem

Secure Crescent and Balance Partnership

The Impact of the Iran-Syria Alliance on Regional and Global Security Balances

New Threats and Opportunities in the Ecosystem: Cybersecurity, Food Security, Production-Consumption Security

Collaboration in the Future Security and Defense Ecosystem

Defense Industry | Land | Sea | Air | Space | Police | Gendarmerie | Intelligence | Strategic Sectors