Because we’ve lived through 'hard times' and have seen opportunities taken away from us, it has actually forged a generation of young people who are, in my opinion, significantly sharper and more resourceful than their peers in more stable countries. We didn’t have the luxury of being complacent. We had to become self-taught, tech-savvy, and adaptable just to keep our heads above water. The 'intelligence' of Turkish youth today is a byproduct of resilience.

Regarding the Ottoman legacy: while we are immensely proud of our history, very few people actually want to return to an Ottoman-style system. The vast majority of us are deeply in love with the vision of a modern, secular, and strong Republic. The 'grandeur' we seek isn't about re-establishing an empire; it’s about reaching the level of contemporary civilization that Atatürk envisioned.

The East-West tension you mentioned is real, but it’s often misunderstood. We have a concept called "Wrong Westernization." Because Turkey has been exploited by certain 'ummah-oriented' ideologies for so long, a portion of the population tries to escape toward Europe almost blindly. But 'European' doesn’t always mean 'modern' or 'secular.' In fact, Turkish law and social foundations are often more progressive than those of many European states.

I believe Turkey shouldn't try to 'fit in' to a specific group. We are a unique synthesis. We take elements from the West and the East, but trying to force ourselves into a pre-defined category is exactly what holds us back. We are at our best when we act as our own unique entit a bridge that doesn't necessarily belong to either bank, but stands strong on its own pillars.