İbrahim Varlı Published on 4 December, the US National Security Strategy—a revived version of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine—set out the roadmap for American imperialism. The 33-page strategy document, which codified Trump’s “America First” slogan, was built on two pillars. The centre of gravity is shifting: The document stated that Washington’s centre of gravity would shift towards the Western Hemisphere, with priority given to the Pacific.
It read: "The United States will reassert and enforce the Monroe Doctrine to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere, and to protect our homeland..." Military build-up in the Caribbean Sea, an attack on Maduro, and interference in the elections in Colombia, Bolivia and Chile, alongside a build-up against China, were the first direct applications of the ‘Trump Doctrine’. The burden will be shared: Another key outcome of the document was the explicit declaration that, whilst the US shifts its focus elsewhere, allies must assume greater responsibility. It was expected that these actors, from Europe to the Middle East, would take the burden off America’s shoulders.
Although the document stated that “the era of American priority has come to an end”, it clearly emphasised that the Middle East would always remain vital to its core interests. Europe’s “security” was to be left to the Europeans, NATO’s burden to the EU, whilst the costs in the Middle East were to be transferred to regional allies in line with the strategic orientation. Another key emphasis in the new strategy document was the need to bring sea lanes under control.
The document emphasised that the focus would extend beyond borders, including the use of lethal force where necessary, and stressed that the United States would always regard ensuring that Gulf energy resources do not fall into the hands of a “hostile actor”, that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, that the Red Sea remains secure, and safeguarding its own interests and Israel’s security as its core interests. THE AGREEMENT DERIVED FROM THE DOCTRINE The document clearly stated that this strategy was necessary to ensure that the United States remained the world’s most powerful, wealthiest and most influential country. The Middle East component of the strategy—an “alliance” intended to carry out, in a sense, the United States’ legwork—emerged in Mecca eight months after the Trump Doctrine was announced.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Agreement. The clause in the Mecca Agreement derived from NATO Article 5 – stating that “an attack on one country shall be deemed an attack on all” – is also an open invitation to war. Whilst Erdoğan states that the idea of the Mecca Agreement is a consequence of new conditions arising from developments in the region, everything is proceeding in line with the American plan.
• Turkey is being positioned in the Middle East: Within the framework of American imperialist objectives, a significant milestone has been reached in the plan to position Turkey in the Middle East. • Iran is being encircled: The agreement is also part of a move to encircle Iran in line with the US-Israel-centred plan for bloody transformation. It is, at the same time, a Sunni front against Shia geopolitics.
• A new realignment from the Caspian to the Mediterranean: The realignment signalled by Tom Barrack, America’s ‘sheriff of the Middle East’, when he stated on 1 November that ‘Turkey and Israel will not go to war’ and added, ‘You will see a realignment from the Caspian to the Mediterranean’, is now being put into practice. US-CENTRED ALLIANCES Whilst American imperialism is opening the doors to “endless wars”, it is seeking to reduce costs on every front. The political Islamist regime, whilst aligning itself closely with the US, is deriving “legitimacy” from this.
The alliances and formations signed in recent times clearly lay bare this “new course”. • Ukraine Volunteers’ Coalition: The AKP regime, which for a time attempted to maintain a middle ground between Russia and the West under the guise of “balance”, was among the first countries to sign up to the Volunteers’ Coalition during the war in Ukraine. • Saudi Arabian Maritime Coalition Force: Turkey has also joined the 14-nation multinational maritime defence coalition established by Saudi Arabia in early August.
The initiative stated that it aims to protect international maritime trade routes and energy transport routes in the Red Sea, the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden. This situation was explicitly stated in the US National Security Strategy Document. • Islamic NATO or the Mecca Agreement: On Friday 7 August, the Mecca Agreement – referred to as ‘Islamic NATO’ – was signed alongside Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
The alliance is aimed at protecting American imperialist interests and Israel’s security. • Founding Membership of the Gaza Plan: The AKP regime took its place among the founding members of the Gaza Peace Council, established under the leadership of US President Donald Trump whilst Israel’s genocide was ongoing. RUNNING FROM ONE FRONT TO ANOTHER American imperialism and its Western allies are weaving an iron curtain against Russia and Iran, from the Baltics to the Black Sea, from the Caspian to the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
In this climate, where the balance of power and security is shifting and the wars in Iran and Ukraine are on the verge of converging, the Palace regime is dragging Turkey into the very centre of these conflict lines, in accordance with Washington’s wishes. The regime is treading in dangerous waters ‘in the north’ and ‘in the south’. The cost of the destruction these adventures will cause will be heavier than ever before.
Note: This article is translated from the original article titled Gazze'den Mekke'ye ABD için göreve, published in BirGün newspaper on August 13, 2026.
