Journalist Aykan Sever told ANF that the current war is a mirror of modern capitalism and reflects what capitalism can produce for the world and the future. “The leaders it produces are people like Trump and others like him. These are not coincidences; they are what the ordinariness of capitalism imposes on us. For many, socialism or communism might seem utopian now, but capitalism doesn’t even have a utopia. What it wants to implement is already what we are currently experiencing. Öcalan also emphasizes a democratic communal society. It’s another definition of socialism. Organizing against this war could be based on that idea. It could also be the foundation of a new international movement.”

Sever said the Israel-Iran conflict was inevitable: “The war between Israel and Iran was expected. The fact that this conflict erupted while negotiations between the American administration and Iran were ongoing is significant. Israel might have rushed due to Iran obtaining and publishing intelligence about Israel. Aware that such a conflict was approaching, Iran reportedly increased its missile-related imports from China. There were also propaganda-like videos from Iran suggesting that large numbers of missiles were being stored.”

Trump can’t sell this war

Sever noted that U.S. President Donald Trump found himself in a “tight spot” after the war started: “Trump positioned himself as someone who gets everything he wants, but now a bipartisan group in Congress is trying to strip him of his war powers. They're attempting to pass a law to ensure any such action must be approved by Congress. Not everyone in the U.S. is happy with this war. There is growing discontent among both the public and the bureaucracy. They likely realize this isn’t their war. More precisely, Trump can’t sell this war effectively.”

World War III has entered a new stage

Sever said that World War III has entered a new phase, but it also involves the settling of old scores: “For instance, Iran was in a colonial position during the Shah era. There’s now an effort to reclaim that position. On another front, this war also has an anti-China dimension. It's part of the containment strategy against China. Everything is interconnected. The reality in the Middle East is that America, alongside Israel, is trying to position itself as the hegemonic power through violence and war.”

The abnormal atmosphere created by war

Sever emphasized that the biggest problem now is the atmosphere created by war: “In the past, one of the ‘normal consequences’ of war was that ordinary people were generally against it, recognizing that war harms society. Unfortunately, we’re no longer in such a phase. People aren’t just spectators — efforts are being made to make the public active supporters of the war. Political leaders around the world have lost basic rationality. We are going through a period where the standards of reason and logic have been abandoned.”

Turkey is carrying out a large-scale manipulation

Addressing the often-asked question, “Is Turkey next?”, Sever said this is part of a manipulation campaign: “I think Turkey is conducting a major manipulation. For now, this is the case — tomorrow it could change. Up to now, Turkey has acted in parallel with Israel’s policies in the region. The Turkish leadership knows it's sitting atop major and bloody crimes. Because of this, they feel insecure about the future and mask this by manipulating the public with rhetoric like ‘Israel might attack us.’ I believe the real motivations of the current leadership are driven by imperial ambitions tied to existing capital structures. Ultimately, they want a larger share of Syria, including access to oil and gas regions.”

Turkey’s imperial goals

Sever said Turkey might also have plans to partially control Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat): “It’s not just about Rojhilat. There have been projects with the CIA for years through what is described as the ‘Greater Azerbaijan’ concept via South-West Azerbaijan. These efforts are also a threat to Armenia. Aliyev’s visit to Erdoğan, followed by Pashinyan’s upcoming meeting with Erdoğan on June 20, are all connected to this and Turkey’s imperial goals. The Turkish leadership knows they are guilty and that they are morally corrupting society. Their rhetoric — like ‘Israel could attack us too’ — is demagoguery. Meanwhile, they have already given certain guarantees and commitments to Israel. On the other hand, they’re telling Trump ‘Netanyahu is bad, we’re better,’ because Turkey wants to be a player in this imperial game.”

The war will be long and exhausting

Sever believes the war will extend over the long term: “Neither Israel nor the U.S. will conduct a ground invasion. After causing significant damage to one another, they might stop. But the war will drag on in an exhausting manner. The people will be the ones most harmed. This must be emphasized. A policy of halting the war should be adopted. This applies not just to the left but to anyone concerned about the future of the world. Otherwise, we are in a time when militarism and fascism are being glorified. Stopping the war is crucial.”

This is what capitalism’s banality imposes on us

Sever concluded by reiterating that the current war reflects modern capitalism: “The leaders it creates, like Trump, are not accidental — they are imposed by the banality of capitalism. In the end, there is no exit from this world other than socialism or communism. Many may see them as utopian, but capitalism doesn’t even have a utopia. What it aims for is already what we are living through. Öcalan’s emphasis on a democratic communal society is another way to describe socialism. That’s how I interpret it. Organizing against this war could be built on this foundation. It could even become the basis of a new international movement.”