# Turkey ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ initiative discussions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-terror-free-turkey-initiative-discussions > Updated: 2026-10-23T20:27:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Academic and political figures in Turkey have held discussions regarding a ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ initiative, focusing on the economic, social, and regional security implications of counter-terrorism. At Aydın Adnan Menderes University, security expert Coşkun Başbuğ highlighted the immense economic cost of these efforts, noting that Turkey has spent 2.5 trillion dollars on counter-terrorism. He identified Operation Euphrates Shield as a major turning point in these operations. Rector Bülent Kent added that achieving a terror-free state is essential for the country’s future. In Kahramanmaraş, AK Party Deputy Mehmet Şahin addressed similar themes at İstiklal Science and Technology University. Şahin linked Turkey’s domestic security to the stability of neighboring Syria and Iraq, emphasizing the need to monitor regional developments to prevent ethnic or sectarian divisions. He noted that progress regarding the initiative has been more positive than expected. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Mehmet Şahin discusses ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ initiative in Kahramanmaraş AK Party Deputy Mehmet Şahin spoke at İstiklal Science and Technology University, stating that efforts toward a ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ are progressing more positively than anticipated. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mehmet-ahin-discusses-terror-free-turkey-initiative-in-kahramanmara ### 2026-09-28: Aydın Adnan Menderes University hosts lecture on terror-free Turkey At Aydın Adnan Menderes University, security expert Coşkun Başbuğ stated that Turkey has spent 2.5 trillion dollars fighting terrorism during the university's first lecture of the academic year. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aydn-adnan-menderes-university-hosts-lecture-on-terror-free-turkey --- Cite as: Turkey ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ initiative discussions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-terror-free-turkey-initiative-discussions