Growing need for psychotherapy in decision-making between
“Sovereign Ambitions” and “Transforming Environment”
Muhammet Ali Zurnacı
Before, during, or after decision-making, one needs rational (even if it looks irrational) policy frameworks and calculated calmness in a rapidly changing environment. I simply think that cognitive-behavioral therapy is increasingly needed for all the leaders of the globe but especially for the decision-makers of ambitious regional and middle powers.
Russian decision-makers, for instance;
are facing rapidly arming Baltics and Eastern Europe. Central Asia is getting more complicated day by day. There is a historic but newly pulsing Caucasia. She is economically unable to reconstruct her Middle East engagements. Every day on TV as the escalator of possible Nuclear Armageddon. Her gas storage is not likely to bring her to be a global power. The military looks badly engaged in Ukraine.
Turkish decision-makers;
feel threatened enough since 2013: hardening NATO relations, never-ending EU processes, arming Greece with disturbing narratives, badly arming Syrian fractions, counter alliances for Aegean Mediterranean disputes. Devaluing currency, arming Cyprus.
Iranian policymakers, on the other hand;
everlasting Nuclear problem, ping-ponging Gulf, The New Saudi Arabia, long-drawn and very limited interests both in Iraq and Syria. Asiatic and oily economy. Unhealthy relations with the Western World.
Regional and sub-regional collaborations turn into complicating conflicts of interest as the number of actors involved in the particular games increases.
All tackle potential or active internal unrest.
Internal power struggles are not likely to be calming.
Because of such reasons, decision-makers above may need a series of therapies to reduce stress and develop their problem-solving capabilities. All they need may be to change their ideas.
MAZ Research III
Trial Release
October 27, 2022