Lessons from Turkey

Lessons from Turkey

July 27, 2016
Adnan Kamil Salah
Adnan Kamil Salah

Adnan Kamil SalahAdnan Kamil Salah


TURKEY successfully overcame another crisis that would have reversed the clock of progress. The coup attempt miserably failed. It is clear from the very outset that it was not planned well as those who were behind the putsch were unable to gain control.

The military faction, which staged the coup, suffered a crushing blow. Some Turkish military officials appeared on the streets with their tanks and stood in front of the media to show the world they have taken control of the country. But within minutes plainclothes policemen arrested them.

The way people and security officers handled the mutineers has damaged the prestige of the Turkish army. In fact, they should have handled the situation in a way that protected the image of the country’s defense forces. But the anger of citizens who surrounded the mutineers and the hurried action of some security officers — who not only arrested military officers but also removed their uniform — had given a wrong picture.
The Turkish army has lost its prestige in Istanbul streets. This is a lesson for not only the Turkish army but also for all military forces in Third World countries. Incidents of army taking over power are one the decline.

Ideologues who compare the Turkish coup with what had happened in Egypt should know that it was illogical and unjustifiable. In Egypt, the military supported people who demonstrated to unseat the Brotherhood government.
On the other hand, people of Turkey turned against the military when they tried to seize power after unseating the democratically elected government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Irrespective of our differences with Erdogan, I like to emphasize that he has been administering the country with a high degree of efficiency.
President Erdogan was instrumental in fighting corruption and implemented a large number of development projects in Istanbul and other cities. Millions of tourists from around the world visit Istanbul every year. With the support of his colleague Abdullah Gul, Erdogan was able to strengthen Justice and Development Party or AK Party. He also cooperated with ally-turned-foe Fetullah Gulen and won parliamentary elections.

Erdogan purged the army of corrupt commanders and officers, ordered their arrests and put some them on trial. This characterized the first phase of his rule. Following the conflict between Erdogan and Gulen, the former released military officers whom he had jailed previously and cleared them of any wrongdoing.

Erdogan also purged the security and judicial agencies. It is very clear that the latest coup attempt would give him another opportunity to cleanse the army, the judiciary and administration the way he wanted to enable him and his party to administer the country effectively.

Despite all these developments, Erdogan has been successful in steering Turkey to achieve remarkable economic progress. Turkey rose to 26th position in the world in economic growth from 111th position before Erdogan came took over. During his rule, Turkish exports increased to $153 billion from $20 billion.

Erdogan was able to achieve this progress as his Justice and Development Party was able to bring stability to the country because of its dominance over other political parties and because of the president’s reform agenda.


July 27, 2016
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