Why Was Hakan Fidan Targeted?

As the main opposition, the CHP, known for objecting to everyone outside the U.S. and Europe—including itself—has now targeted two more key figures alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the AK Party. These are Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and former Chief of General Staff, current Minister of National Defense, and now the Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Hulusi Akar.

Let’s look at the CHP’s criticisms in turn.

CHP member Namık Tan claimed that there are “serious question marks” regarding the educational qualifications of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz. He alleged that the equivalency of Fidan’s bachelor’s degree, obtained via distance education, was uncertain.

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly released Fidan’s bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate diplomas, as well as the equivalency certificate issued by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in 1998. Moreover, both the Center for Combating Disinformation and the Turkish Grand National Assembly, via parliamentary questions, confirmed that institutions had rejected these claims.

CHP defends thieves, corrupts, and bribe-takers, while attacking honest people

It is sheer recklessness that the CHP, which insisted on presenting Ekrem İmamoğlu—whose university diplomas were officially deemed fake by YÖK and the courts—as a presidential candidate, now tries to smear Hakan Fidan with claims of a “fake diploma,” even though official institutions have clearly confirmed its authenticity.

By diverting public attention from the rampant corruption, bribery, forgery, and espionage emerging from its headquarters, municipalities, and affiliates, the CHP seeks to momentarily ease its conscience by focusing on manufactured targets.

Namık Tan misses the old Türkiye

In a speech at the Grand National Assembly, Namık Tan claimed that Fidan directs foreign policy according to ideological motives, isolating Türkiye. He argued that unqualified, non-career appointments were made in the ministry and cited the decreasing budget over the years as evidence of alleged shortcomings.

Namık Tan is himself a career diplomat— a product of the “old-school” ministry he seeks to defend. The “loneliness” he laments is merely that Israel and a few allied nations have begun to fear Türkiye despite its stance. Even the U.S., which he so admires, now realizes it cannot execute its regional agenda contrary to Türkiye's will.

Regarding the budget, it seems the Ministry of Foreign Affairs now accomplishes far more with far less funding than in previous decades. Hakan Fidan is regarded as one of the world’s most brilliant and successful foreign ministers. The mud the CHP throws cannot stick to him.

From Namık Tan’s speeches, one can easily infer whose interests he truly serves.

During discussions on the Somali mandate at the Assembly, Namık Tan, while criticizing government foreign policy, referred to the “Blue Homeland narrative” as a “tale,” claiming that it was quickly abandoned when economic collapse loomed.

His remark sparked reactions both from AK Party circles and within his own party. AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik described Tan’s approach as “political drift and irresponsibility.”

Hulusi Akar, Chairman of the National Defense Commission, harshly criticized Namık Tan from the Assembly podium: “Blue Homeland is a national issue, an undeniable fact, not a tale.” He even urged Tan to “reveal the color of his passport.”

Admiral Cem Gürdeniz, a leading advocate of the Blue Homeland doctrine, also reacted sharply: “It is not a tale, it is a major war,” emphasizing that this doctrine represents a manifesto.

Baykar Technology CEO Haluk Bayraktar stated on social media: “Blue Homeland is not an idea or a tale; it is Türkiye’s red line.”

Even within the CHP, some expressed criticism. For instance, Tan’s colleague Tugay Uluçevik remarked: “Calling a vital concept like Blue Homeland a tale does not align with social and political responsibility.”

Where is Namık Tan looking?

In a speech in the United States, Namık Tan once said: “A speech is like a woman’s skirt: long enough to cover all topics, but short enough to reveal all beauties.” This metaphor illustrates the perspective from which Namık Tan accuses Hakan Fidan of incompetence, unpreparedness, and inability in diplomacy!

CHP leader Özgür Özel, meanwhile, criticized Hakan Fidan by saying: “Ministry work is not done through TikTok videos and camera shows,” pointing to shortcomings in foreign policy. He ignored CHP’s stance on the Bogota Declaration and Palestine policy. Özel also accused Fidan of manipulating emotions “accompanied by themes from Kurtlar Vadisi.”

The CHP should have avoided such examples!

The nation still remembers how former CHP leader Deniz Baykal and former presidential candidate Muharrem İnce were ruined within the party by external networks and dirty maneuvers. Now, disregarding these ugly games, trying to campaign against Hakan Fidan based on sincere social media support is sheer desperation.

Regarding the Bogota Declaration criticism by the CHP:

 The Lahey Group’s July 15–16, 2025 meeting in Bogotá, Colombia, produced a joint declaration containing a six-point action plan against Israel, including restrictions, sanctions, and legal measures. Türkiye officially endorsed the declaration on July 25 but placed reservations on the BMDHS articles.

The CHP claimed the process was executed without planning and criticized Türkiye's foreign policy as inconsistent. However, Türkiye no longer submits its sovereignty to Western states as it once did; it now acts based on national and regional interests. The CHP, on the other hand, expects Türkiye to comply unconditionally with whatever Europe and the U.S. demand

The main opposition, CHP, is constantly embroiled in internal conflict, not just against the government. Today it praises its leaders, mayors, and parliamentarians; tomorrow it hurls the harshest insults at them. That this party continues to target even the most honest, hardworking, and beneficial members of the ruling side is consistent with its historical character.

Adnan Menderes and his colleagues were treated similarly by the CHP.

CHP is fulfilling its nature

Hakan Fidan is a target not only of the CHP but also of many Türkiye-hostile states and groups, primarily Israel. We do not believe the CHP acts independently of these external influences.

Recently, debates about Hakan Fidan’s “post-Erdoğan leadership” potential have intensified in Türkiye and abroad. This possibility explains why efforts are underway to tarnish him early.

The CHP’s criticisms align with Israel’s concerns

On August 14, 2025, Smadar Perry of Israeli Ynetnews wrote an article titled “Shadow of Erdoğan: The key advisor directing Türkiye’s regional strategy against Israel,” targeting Hakan Fidan.

The analysis states: Türkiye's powerful Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan directs Ankara’s regional strategy, hosts Hamas leaders, counters Israeli Syrian relations, and ensures Türkiye remains a central power broker while expanding influence in the Arab world.

Unlike his Israeli counterpart, the Turkish Foreign Ministry constantly seeks new global avenues of influence. From 2010 to 2023, Fidan served as head of Türkiye's intelligence organization and has been working alongside President Erdoğan on this path for many years.

Observers note that his views on Israel are even firmer than Erdoğan’s, who can shift positions unexpectedly. Fidan, on the other hand, is unwavering. A few days ago, he publicly declared that Israel “must cease to exist.”

Fidan insists on a “transparent and clear” separation of powers with the president. The 71-year-old Erdoğan has been preparing the 53-year-old Fidan as a potential successor, but for now, Fidan strictly operates within assigned domains.

Senior Turkish officials and ordinary citizens alike describe Fidan as Erdoğan’s active right-hand, guaranteed a top position in the hierarchy after him.

Fidan frequently hosts Hamas leaders in Ankara, treating Khalil al-Hayya with utmost respect. Here, al-Hayya is secure—Israel will not attempt attacks on Turkish territory.

Türkiye expert Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak describes Fidan as a “particularly problematic actor for Israel regarding the re-establishment of diplomatic relations,” noting that as long as Erdoğan remains in power, there is little chance for improvement. Even if Fidan ascends to leadership, the challenge will remain daunting.

The FETÖ-led disinformation campaigns against Fidan, combined with the CHP’s statements and Israel’s concerns, clearly decode the current geopolitical picture.

Alper Tan

August 14, 2025