13.03.2026 19:30
Following the passing of İlber Ortaylı, one of Turkey's esteemed historians, the last interview given by the master historian before his death has come back into the spotlight. Ortaylı had answered questions from journalist Hakan Çelik in the Weekend program aired on CNN Türk on January 24, 2026, and made noteworthy assessments regarding the future of the Middle East. Ortaylı stated, "If a map is to be drawn in the Middle East, we will draw it."
The famous historian İlber Ortaylı, who passed away at the age of 78, came back into the spotlight with his last interview shortly before his death. Ortaylı was the guest of journalist Hakan Çelik on the Weekend program broadcast on CNN Türk on January 24, 2026.
"WE WILL DRAW THE MAP OF THE MIDDLE EAST"
During the program, Ortaylı made evaluations regarding the developments in the Middle East and used striking expressions about the future of the region. The master historian expressed the following words in his speech:
"If a map is to be drawn in the Middle East, we will draw it. We live here. We have no other place to go. We came out of the sea from here, and we can also go to space from here. As long as we are here, no one else can draw it but us."
HE SAID "I WILL JOIN AGAIN AFTER THE SURGERY"
During the interview, Ortaylı also touched upon his health condition, stating that he would join the program again after the surgery he would undergo. However, the master historian had received treatment in the hospital for a while due to health issues he experienced in the following period and passed away.
After Ortaylı's death, this interview was recorded as the last television interview he gave to the public.