The article examines why Turkey’s current Kurdish settlement process, launched in October 2024, has so far encountered relatively limited opposition from Turkish nationalist forces. It traces the evolution of Turkish nationalism, from the hardline positions of the 1990s to the more fragmented nationalist landscape of today, and explores the unexpected role played by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli in initiating the process. The article argues that, while ultra-nationalist opposition remains present, Turkish nationalism is no longer a unified political force, creating space for a new approach to the Kurdish question.

On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign against Iran, whose subsequent strikes targeted all GCC states. While US commanders considered the regional air and missile defence network validated in combat, the GCC continued to call for greater military integration and completion of its joint ballistic missile alert system. This apparent gap reflects the architecture’s hybrid nature: national capabilities coexist with GCC mechanisms, bilateral agreements and US functions. Although information-sharing and operational coordination have improved, authority over forces and resources remains largely national. The system enhances immediate protection but creates dependencies on shared alerts, data, command, interceptors and maintenance. Its resilience therefore depends on sustaining these functions under prolonged, high-intensity consumption.