In order to build the innovation debates in Turkey upon a concrete context, we must try to understand what Israel has that Turkey does not.

We have been discussing innovations in Turkey for a long time. We stress that innovations are important and that innovativeness must be cultivated. But in fact, we talk nonsense. As the discussions on innovation turned out to be hollow, those on entrepreneurship also did. This is what I think, at least. Today, let me try to build the discussion on a solid framework, to help you envision the issue. Lately, I have been thinking that it is important to compare the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in terms of innovation performance. In order to build the innovation debates in Turkey upon a concrete foundation, we must try to understand what Israel has that Turkey does not. Why is the Israeli army able to feed a number of high-tech innovative companies while the Turkish army is not? I believe this is a question we need to ponder. Today, let me tell you what I think as a start.

But first, let me ask my question more concretely. We are talking about two countries and their armies. Both the Israeli and the Turkish army have been trying to deal with security problems over the last three or four decades. For a minute, ignore the arguments that the Israeli army actually is an invader and a tool of the oppressive politics against the righteous battle of the Palestinians, and that the TAF is exactly or nothing like that. In order to answer the above question, you have to forget completely the political aspects of the case. In both countries, young men serve compulsory military service, for a quite long period, indeed. In both countries, they enlisted to the army believing that they are defending their country and providing an important service. In one of the two armies, young men make a series of inventions which can be put into practice in civil life. When they finish their service in the army, they commercialize the inventions they made and patented during their service. In one of the armies, serving in certain units helps you find a better job after the army, so soldiers specifically write in their resumes that they served in the army. In the other army, such practice is not observed. Those who would like to read more on this subject can refer to The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle, a best-seller by Dan Senor and Saul Singer. Since I have read this book, I have been curious about the differences between the Turkish and the Israeli armies. Why do those who serve in the latter develop innovation while those in the former never turn to untraveled roads? I do not know why, but I am curious about it.

What do you think is the underlying reason for this difference? Let me stress three points from this respect. First is that, the problem of resource scarcity always lies at the heart of technological advancement. People protect  those who are like them the most in places where the population is small. Deploying soldiers to  wild and remote spots is not a security measure. Developing unmanned air defense systems is. Why was Israel the first country to have Herons? This is where we should start thinking. Here is the first point: A country that values its citizens has to be open to new technologies. Second: An administrator who believes in the importance of using new technologies has to alter the organizational structure accordingly. For commanders who were trained with an introverted military education system, it is difficult to identify changing needs and technologic opportunities instantly. Even if the need is identified, finding the correct answer might take a long time. Therefore, I believe that the organizational structure of the two armies must be scrutinized. Those who will embark on a new perspective must take the initiative and be effective when it comes to take decisions. The third point is that those who make inventions during their service in the army must be able to benefit from an environment conducive to the commercialization of inventions. This aspect of the issue is beyond the army structure, but Turkey lags behind in this regard as well.

I would like to stress that what I am talking about has nothing to do with the “Israel has the support of the US” argument, which in fact is fed by an inferiority complex and is deeply Middle Eastern. Turkey has problems in all realms, not in just one area. The formula that applies to armies applies to companies as well. Everyone must keep this in mind.

This commentary was published in Radikal daily on 28.02.2012