Middle powers whose economic spheres of influence do not align with their military spheres of influence — and whose strength is exaggerated by other states — are being pushed into a deliberate wave of manipulation.
I call this method Spotlighting.
In my earlier analysis, I underlined that this technique has been actively used against Iran.
Portraying a country as if it is capable of projecting far greater power than it actually can serves another purpose: it becomes easier to associate that country not only with its own actions, but also with other dirty projections imposed from outside.
I call this Scapegoating.
Turkey today is being squeezed precisely between Spotlighting and Scapegoating. This pattern is highly likely to continue.
By returning to the opening sentence, I close one of the shortest strategy essays ever written:
Middle Powers whose military influence is not balanced with their economic and political influence are inevitably dragged into becoming the scapegoats of the field.
For those who understand, this is enough.
Muhammet Ali Zurnacı
November 23, 2025, Istanbul