The fact that the number of persons in whose shoes no one would like to be is increasing implies that we are in a process of deep transformation.

Nowadays, I do not know the answer. Before, I would have taken a look around to answer this question. Actually, this is a good method to find subjects to write about. In fact, it is a perfect way to avoid the domestic issues in the current milieu of "advanced democracy." But for some time now, I have been unable to decide the winner on my monthly short-list. Nowadays I make a "persons in whose shoes I would not like to be" list. Can you see what this means for Turkey? Nowadays all of us must avoid thinking through, "What will happen next? What trouble will we face?" I believe that Turkey is going through a process in which its room for maneuver - or its room for failure depending on how you see the picture - is increasing in many fields including the economy and foreign policy. Anyone who could bring trouble to Turkey is occupied with the own problems of his or her country. Why? What is the deal with this present period?

A tough process for Italy

Let me begin with this month's list. Syrian President Beshar Eshad is on top of the list due to the events of the last month. However, it appears that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will replace him. Recently, a friend of mine from England said, "the Italians are keeping out of sight, even at Davos now. They are treated like they are leprous." "But you know Uncle Silvio. He's a bit weird!" People have already started to argue that political credibility is Italy's main problem. The challenging process in Italy started with the "bunga bunga" scandals and climbed with the quarrel between Berlusconi and Finance Minister Tremonti. In Israel, the protests that took place the day before are alone enough to add Netanyahu to this month's list. One of the protestors carried a placard that read, "We are walking like Egyptians." What can I say? There is no spot left for Gaddafi, the president of the Mickey Mouse state in Libya. And what about Obama? Or Merkel? The list is very long! There are the ministers and undersecretaries to add to it. No one is living a peaceful live nowadays. The world has gone crazy.

Transformation process

What does it mean that the number of persons in whose shoes no one would like to be is increasing? We are in a process of a deep transformation that is affecting the entire world simultaneously. I think this is what this loaded list implies. Each one has a serious problem. But when did this process begin? I believe it began with the twenty-first century. On the eve of the year 2000, we were quite happy for the beginning of the third millennium. Since then, however, we have not been able to find peace. Let's enumerate the disasters: the new millennia first brought September 11. The world witnessed the terrorist attack that changed the silhouette of New York. We first thought that the culprits were Afghanistan and Iraq. At the end of the day, the integration of the Muslim world to the global economy came to the fore.  2007 and 2008 brought a global economic crisis at the center of the system. We were starting to believe that the crisis was over; but now we understand better that the global crisis will be as long as the Great Depression of 1929. And we are yet to comprehend what the US government's recent attempt to sue the banks means.  Nothing is as it seems. Meanwhile, in 2011, the "enough-is-enough" protests of the middle-class started with the Arab Spring. It was first Tunisia, followed by Egypt. The movement already has spread to Syria and is about to enter Iran. Students march in Chile. Rebellions erupt in London. The entire world is in chaos. We are going through a process in which everything changes simultaneously. No one feels well anymore. I am wondering whether the status quo has ever been shaken over such a large geography and in such a comprehensive realm (economic, social and political) to such a degree. I do not recall any other example.

Given this agenda, the room for failure grows for any country. Such is the current milieu. Let's hope for the best.

This commentary was published in Radikal daily on 06.09.2011