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At Large
Turkey Shifts Eastward
A country now happy not to have to live up to Western expectations.
Observing Turkey is a more than frustrating experience. There is no difficulty in finding knowledgeable people who insist there’s been no alteration in its objective of joining the European Union and incorporating into the European political and economic world. After all, Turkey has been a valued NATO member since 1952. At the same time there are equally perceptive commentators who contend that the dream of a secular Westernized Turkey has shifted away from its European-aimed target of recent years.
Contrary to those wishful thinkers who seek closer Turkish ties with the West, there is no chance that Turkey will soon come close to membership in the European Union as long as it continues to jail journalists on fanciful terrorism charges. According to the Financial Times, about sixty journalists are now imprisoned. The charges range all the way from personal libel to outright conspiracy to overthrow the government.
These reporters and commentators have joined the approximately one hundred military officers who already have been jailed for purported participation in a coup plot originating in 2003. There appears no question that some form of coup was being planned at the time — and since then. But it is equally clear that a large portion of the evidence has been fabricated, and in a rather amateurish manner.
Behind this is the growing belief within the ruling, Islam-conscious Justice and Development Party (AKP) that right wing forces are moving for an overthrow of what the AKP considers “democratic change.” This may in fact contain an element of truth if one associates such change with AKP dominance.
It is also true, however, that AKP leadership has done little to strike down Article 301 of the penal code that criminalizes any anti-government statements. This legal device is the core of the highly objectionable security element of the authoritarian 1982 constitution that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has so often excoriated.
An example of internal political confusion and conflict (one might even call it Byzantine) is the fate of the former head of Turkey’s external intelligence division of the National Intelligence Agency. He had just returned from Afghanistan and was summoned to court to provide testimony in a security case. Immediately after completing his presentation he was arrested and jailed in Metris prison. To this date no explanation has been offered.
PM Erdogan, choosing to show an exceptionally thin political skin, reacted strongly to the European Parliament report that condemned “deterioration in the freedom of the press” in Turkey and called on the Ankara government to “uphold the principles of press freedom.” Erdogan not only referred to the report as “unbalanced”, but he said, “…the people who have prepared this document lack balance as well.” Not quite the tone that encourages votes for EU membership…
This tough talk may sound well locally among his supporters, but it certainly plays into the hands of those who wish to show Erdogan and the AKP actually are using the same repressive measures as did opposition military-aligned political powers about which they have complained. The basic obstacle faced by the AKP, President Abdullah Gul, and PM Erdogan is the lack of promised action on the existing constitution. This 1982 document created after a coup carried with it little of the types of freedom of speech and press that mark Western legal, political, and social concepts.
Perhaps the most striking example of the Erdogan Administration’s willingness to run counter to EU and American recent positions was the official opposition from Ankara to sanctions of any kind against Col. Qaddafi’s Libya. The explanation given by Turkey’s foreign minister was that such actions would be counterproductive. According to VOA News, “PM Erdogan accused Western countries calling for intervention of being motivated by Libya’s huge oil reserves.” Again, not the most diplomatic of comments for an EU-aimed prime minister.
The actions of the Turkish premier appear to indicate that any interest he once had in European Union membership has been substantially diminished by the less than lukewarm interest on the part of France and Germany. Erdogan’s AKP-dominated government acts as if it has been freed from having to hew to Western precepts of democracy as a requirement to Turkey’s EU membership — and greets this with a sigh of relief.
Political Islam would now appear to be Turkey’s guidepost under its current government. The key question is how PM Erdogan and his energetic president, Abdullah Gul, perceive Turkey’s neo-Islamist role in the Middle East. How the United States and its Western European allies plan to respond to this new characterization of modern Turkey will be played out in the very near future.
The days of Mustapha Kemal Ataturk’s military —guarded secularist state appears to have ended, though, according to some, brought on by their own excesses. Nonetheless, Turkey under the religious-minded AKP seems headed in the same iron-fisted direction so condemned in the past by its members. Assuming a leadership role in the Middle East region will require Turkey’s Islamic-preoccupied civilian government to create an entente with its own secularist military forces — a tactic more easily said than done.
About the Author
George H. Wittman writes a weekly column on international affairs for The American Spectator online. He was the founding chairman of the National Institute for Public Policy.
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Kenny| 3.18.11 @ 6:18AM
Allowing Turkey to join the EU is (and always was) a pipe dream.
The biggest problem Germany now has is too many Turks, so don't think they'd compound that with open immigration from Turkey..
Alan Brooks| 3.18.11 @ 4:59PM
Atta boy, Turk.
Michael Tomlinson| 3.19.11 @ 8:32AM
Germany needs to consider mass deportation of non-citizens from the Muslim world as do all European states. Unless they do it will be the Muslims running the death camps and gas chambers in which future Europeans experience real genocide and ethnic cleansing.
WilliamInWien| 3.18.11 @ 8:42AM
After one delay (roadblock) after another regarding accession to the EU, Turkey has decided to look elsewhere and it would appear that this change began years ago. At one time, economic strategy determined the Turkish push to join the EU, that does not seem to hold up these days given the EU's current fiscal problems and recent official statements about the failure of multi-culturalism. Looking eastward, Turkey has a lot to gain by increasing its profile as an Islamic state while controlling the Kurds, the Armenians and acting as balance toward Iran's push for increased influence. Turkey has always been an uneasy NATO partner, given its problems with fellow NATO state, Greece and its occupation of Cyprus. Turkey's lack of cooperation with the US in the war with Iraq coupled with Germany's stance that it would not assist fellow NATO member Turkey in the event of an Iraqi attack on Turkey were all "signposts" on the road that Turkey is now embarked. How far the currrent government can take Turkey into the realm of a truly Islamic state is still open to question, but I am not optomistic about the secular future of Turkey.
All American American| 3.18.11 @ 10:18AM
Turkey is about 98%+ muslim. WHy are we surprised at their deception, lack of civil rights, etc etc etc. The first mistake an "infidel" can make is to trust a muslim, or a country full of them.
Doctor Right| 3.18.11 @ 1:27PM
Turkey is lost.
The Turkey that joined NATO in 1952 doesn't exist, anymore.
They'll never be admitted into the EU, and it's about time they were booted from NATO. We CANNOT allow this increasingly Islamist nation to have continued access to NATO secrets, tactics, and strategies.
Once Turkey rolls-over completely into the Islamist orb, there will be another wave of mass-immigration, but these will be the modern, west-ward looking Turks who want no part of an Islamist state. The brain-drain (as well as the capital-drain) will push the country's economy over-the-edge, and it will become another unstable, pro-Islamic nation in an unstable, pro-Islamic part of the world.
Swell, huh?
alice moore| 3.18.11 @ 8:42PM
I hope not. Many emigres are just agents of terror. Look at other immigrants from islamic countries. They have no interest in adopting or assimilating to Western ways.
It will only be taking a viper in the bosom to accept islamicists from this part of the world.
Michael Tomlinson| 3.19.11 @ 8:29AM
AMEN!!!! To allow these people to emigrate to the West there should be a demand they renounce Islam. Today's European extremists (notably Britain) were the children of Muslim emigrants who yearned to Westernize and have their children go to European colleges and universities. Islamic Imperialism is the enemy and Turkey yearns to be the leader of that new threat to the West (don't forget Greece, the Balkans and Cyprus were once dominated by Turkish Muslims and based on their theology still should be).
Pelligrino| 3.20.11 @ 5:30AM
I think that the only thing that has slowed or given some occasional pause to Turkey's sinking into deeper (yes, dreaded) islam is the much needed injections of tourist Euro monies from northern Europeans flocking to the Antalya coastline.
Were it not for this lucky location on the almost permanently sunny, warm side of the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey would be more aloof and hostile to Europe.
They know they have to play a bit nice (at least in the last two decades) to keep the sun & beach tourists coming.
Of note: As a Christian it is more than frustrating that one more current nation with many historical Biblical locations (examples: Ephesus, Philadelphia, Smyrna, Colosse) will be shut out and hostile to Christians wishing to view these ancient cities.
Sure, they'll permit groups bringing much desired tourist dollars but one senses the enmity or disdain like when visiting Bethlehem.
So strange that Turkey of all countries, a country where EVERY adult has a friend, relative, work colleague who either lives or has lived in Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium, or England, so strange that they cannot easily adopt a benign, secular, commerce-based society like what they find in most all of Europe.
They esteem it. Every time you speak with a late 20's, 30's or young 40's man in Turkey's provinces....within two hours of knowing the guy he's hitting you up to hire him to your European firm (whether you're manager or have a firm or not).
Such is islam. It is evil. It deceives its adherents at their peril. It drags them into the pit and strangles them (having killed the brain long ago).
John| 3.18.11 @ 4:00PM
Under the AKP turkey is doing well at ease with itself. This has to be welcome. It is a country that out of necessity has to face both east and west. And is doing it well. turkey is a rising power and a source of stability in the region. This is to welcome by all.
Michael Tomlinson| 3.19.11 @ 8:32AM
What are you smoking?
irish19| 3.20.11 @ 1:19AM
And why isn't he sharing?
Alan Brooks| 3.18.11 @ 5:04PM
Important thing for west Asia is: have Clint post his measurements here so the IDF can alter a uniform to fit him exactly. That way when he arrives in Israel he'll be ready to start on maneuvers right away.
Clint| 3.19.11 @ 10:19AM
Gee, ObamaBoy Israel Firster Brooks, Tell Us All How Many IDF Troops Have Been KIA & WIA in Iraq & Afghanistan So Far.
You Israel Firster Chickenhawks Are Always Trying To Use American Military, As Cannon Fodder To Carry Out Your Foreign Agenda.
Now Get Your Own Israel Firster Ass Over To Israel & Enlist In The IDF.
They Need You As Their REMF Latrine Commander.
Right Face, Forward Scrub.
Slingshot| 3.18.11 @ 8:49PM
So now Islam will claim (or in this case reclaim) another unfortunate country.
Winston Churchill wrote:
"How dreadful are the curses which Islam lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy. . . there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live.
A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. . . . . No stronger retrograde force exists in the world."
Turkey is another country headed straight for the 7th Century.
Michael Tomlinson| 3.19.11 @ 8:36AM
Touche Winston!!!!
WTF| 3.20.11 @ 9:00AM
Winston used poison gas on them, too. When asked why, he called them "primitives". Funny how I could substitute "Winston" with "Adolf" and get a different reaction from readers.
Dr. Sacha Blumberg| 3.19.11 @ 2:11AM
Why didn't this article mention the REAL reason the journalist were gathered up and jailed? They dare mention anything about the Gulen Movement or it's leader exiled Islamic Imam Fethullah Gulen who lives in seclusion in America. Worldwide the Gulen Movement has emassed a fortune in media, healthcare, education and other areas. Gulen instructed his followers to "work into the arteries of the system until you reach all power centers" they have done this nicely in Turkey and are attempting this same model throughout the world where they have established over 600 schools including over 120 charter schools in the USA which are laundering educational tax monies through the numerous Gulen NGOs layered around the schools.
The Gulen Movement (aka Hizmet or Cemaat) manipulates: Interfaith dialog, media, politics, military, education and more via bribes, intimidation, blackmail, threats, cajole, lying and if that doesn't work they play "victim' of islamophobia.
Learn more about the Gulen Movement by reading Ex-FBI Turkish Translator Sibel Edmonds, Dr. Aland Mizell and Dr. Joshua Hendricks.
http://www.gulenschoolsworldwide.blogspot.com
http://www.gulencharterschools.weebly.com
Michael Tomlinson| 3.19.11 @ 8:34AM
Time to ban all Muslim emigration into the US. We should even consider declaring most non-citizens in this country persona non grata.
Richard Baker| 3.20.11 @ 12:30PM
The AKP or Moslem Brotherhood, for all it matters, pursues it's relentless march to the 7th Century. The solution to all this Moslem craziness using Islam, "The Religion of Peace" is to kill as many of the imams, mullahs, and ayatollahs as can be found. Forget the Presidents and Prime Ministers of these pesthole countries. The political power resides with the "Men of God." Since most of Islam is illiterate or nearly so, the "Arab Street" gets its marching orders from these, mostly, fat clowns masquerading as "Holy Men." But of course, we in the West don't want to inflame the citizenry of these countries. No, we'll let the "Holy Men" do it instead.
weddingdresses | 6.24.11 @ 2:11AM
Winston used poison gas on them, too. When asked why, he called them "primitives". Funny how I could substitute "Winston" with "Adolf" and get a different reaction from readers.
Creative Recreation | 8.10.11 @ 11:47PM
is good