Provocative map of expansionist claims displayed in Istanbul

A controversial map has been displayed in a busy pedestrian underpass in the Karakoy district of Istanbul, featuring territories outside of modern Turkey. The installation, located in the Beyoglu municipality on the European side of the city, depicts Cyprus, Rhodes, several other Greek islands, Western Thrace, as well as parts of Syria and Iraq as part of a single red-shaded landmass. The map is inscribed with the term "Ahd-i Milli," a reference to the "National Oath" (Misak-i Milli) of 1920, which outlined the territorial goals of the final Ottoman parliament.

The display, which includes a large Turkish crescent and star alongside an image of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, is reportedly part of a decorative and ideological renovation project carried out by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Department of Technical Works. Local reports indicate that the Beyoglu municipality, which has previously participated in European Union-funded cultural and environmental programs, is linked to the site's oversight. The map signifies a revival of irredentist visions, grouping current Turkish territory with regions like Batumi, Mosul, Kirkuk, Aleppo, and Deir ez-Zor under a unified national narrative. There are no immediate reports of planned removals or official government responses regarding the display.