Introduction

Today, we find ourselves right in the middle of a geography that is fragmented both internally and externally. Not only are state borders divided, but minds are as well; claims of brotherhood have succumbed to calculations of interest; shared pain has paved the way not for a sense of a common destiny, but for alienation from one another. In this issue, we point to the exact opposite of this disarray: we uncover the arduous yet legitimate path toward political unity.

When we say "Anatolia First," we express not only a starting point but the will to set out from a center. For those who cannot establish their own internal peace cannot bring justice and right to the outside world. A just and independent order to be established in Anatolia will also be the bearer of a political will that will permeate the entire Middle East.

"Then the Middle East" is the name not of an expansionist intent, but of a historical responsibility and a commonality of faith and culture. The longing of the nations that are in a scattered state today must be based on a deep unity of spirit and a vision of a shared future, beyond superficial alliances. In our pages, we open for discussion the historical, political, and intellectual foundations upon which this ideal of unity can be built; we strive to present an intellectual direction against intellectual disarray, and a political horizon against political fragmentation.

CONTENTS

Anatolia First, Then the Middle East: Towards Political Unity – Ömer Emre Akcebe

The New Turkey Must Rid Itself of the Morbid Lausanne Spirit - Interview – Cemal Toptancı

There is a Need for a New Constitution - Interview – Altan Tan

Brotherhood Comes Not Through Politics, But Through Unity in Absolute Thought – Faruk Hanoğlu

Establishing Unity in Action – Prof. Dr. Fethi Güngör

Imprisoned and Sorrowful Believers! – Handan Özduygu

The Role of Media in Turkish Society and Politics – Dr. Aykut Özer

On the Work "Enver and Mustafa Kemal’s Book 1908–1938" – Mehmet Sami Pınar

Neglected Issues -I- – Dr. Aliosman Dağlı

The Meaning of Vacation – Aslıhan Tunçbilek

On Modernism and the Distortion of Religion -I- - Interview – Ali Değermenci

Emergence from Within Against Mimesis – Yavuz Arslan

Seeking the Whole in the Land of Imperfections – Sara Bedir

How Does Necip Fazıl Describe the Prophet in His Works? – Kâzım Albayrak

Critiques and Observations on Oleg Grabar and the Construction of Islamic Art Studies -V- – Hasan Hüseyin Akdağ

"Salam" Exhibition: Observations on the Meaning of Letters – Yavuz Arslan

On the Threshold of Sealed Time: Tarkovsky’s Film Ontology -I- – Murat Akdemir

Film Corner

Book Corner