By Wally Sarkeesian
Armenia is being urged to make peace with Turkey — but history and reality make that a difficult path to believe in. Turkey still refuses to acknowledge the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians, a denial that casts a long shadow over any so-called reconciliation. Meanwhile, in the present, Turkey remains locked in confrontation with nearly all its neighbors: Greece, Syria, Iraq, Armenia itself, and often in tense relations even with Israel. This pattern is not accidental — it reflects a deeper historical trajectory.
The Islamic Empire once stretched from Morocco to India. As Islam spread into Central Asia, Turkic tribes converted and were brought into the empire as slave soldiers and mercenaries. Over time, these Turkic groups, particularly the Seljuks, gained influence, eventually dominating much of the Islamic world and conquering Arab lands. Later, the Ottomans carried this expansion further, building an empire that spanned three continents. Their armies pressed deep into Europe, reaching the gates of Vienna and threatening Rome itself.
This long record of conquest, denial, and constant confrontation raises a fundamental question: can a state built on such a legacy — and still refusing to reckon with its past — ever be a reliable partner for peace? For Armenia, to enter into such an agreement without truth, accountability, or trust would not be reconciliation, but self-deception.
Turkey now claims half of the Aegean islands. Greece expresses grave concern over Turkey’s airspace violations and troop buildup, suggesting preparations for an imminent invasion. The Aegean’s sovereignty must be respected. We urge Europe and Israel to stop Turkey now.