If Erdoğan believes that Israel is committing genocide, if Fidan describes Netanyahu as an “enemy of humanity,” and if Turkey wants to build a regional power capable of protecting the security of the region’s states, then it is only natural for people to ask:
When will this rhetoric be transformed into real political and military capability?
No one is asking Turkey to declare war tomorrow.
But if the words remain powerful while the actions remain limited, then the Mecca Agreement itself could become nothing more than a larger version of Erdoğan’s rhetoric:
Strong in statements, weak when tested.
But if it develops into a genuine defense architecture, if Egypt—and perhaps other countries—join, if their armed forces begin meaningful coordination, and if they develop shared defense industries, intelligence capabilities, and a credible deterrent, then dismissing the alliance would be a serious mistake.
Only then would we be witnessing a genuine geopolitical transformation.
Therefore, the question is not:
Is Erdoğan a hypocrite or a sincere leader?
The more precise question is:
Can Erdoğan transform his rhetorical influence into an independent regional power?
The Mecca Agreement will provide the answer.
And Gaza and Lebanon will be the first real test.
Because the Middle East does not need another leader who excels at rhetoric.