Turkey’s 62-year-old embattled President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues his crackdown after the July 15 failed coup, leaving him blaming the U.S. and 75-year-old exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen. While it’s conceivable that Gulen’s supported the coup, it’s also doubtful that the Sufi ex-pat had the planning and resources to pull off a coup, successful or not. Speaking in Ankara, Erdogan confirmed that some Turkish military leaders with close ties to U.S. Mideast Gen. Joseph Votel were incarcerated facing trial for treason. Refusing to honor Erdogan’s extradition request for Gulen convinced Turkish officials that the U.S. CIA played a role in the failed coup attempt. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook denied any U.S. involvement in the failed coup, something that’s become standard operating procedure. Erdogan strongly insists on a wider U.S. role in the July 15 coup.
Seeking to fast-track European Union membership and Schengen passport-free rights for Turkey, Erdogan’s crackdown makes EU membership all-but-impossible. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker expressed reservations about Turkey’s EU membership. “I believe that Turkey, in its current state, is not in a position to become a member anytime soon and not even for a longer period,” said Juncker, watching Erdogan essentially dismantle Turkey’s free press. Holding 21 journalists in jail awaiting trial for sedition, Erdogan told U.S. and EU officials “to mind your own business.” Jailing over 18,000 Turkish citizens suspected of involvement in the coup, Erdogan continues what looks like martial law. Erdogan insists that at least 17 pro-Gulen journalists were responsible for plotting and carrying out the failed July 15 coup killing nearly 300 Turkish citizens.
Erogan’s post-coup crackdown has resulted in a 40% reduction of Turkey’s $36 billion tourism industry. With a 2015 Gross Domestic Product growth rate of 3.94, the Turkish economy looks at recession in 2016 unless Erdogan makes a concerted effort to normalize relations with the U.S. and EU. Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Aug. 9 in St. Petersburg, Erdogan hopes to mend fences over the Nov. 24. shoot-down of a Russian fighter jet by the Turkish air force. Faced with a possible recession in 2016, Erdogan has good reasons to mend fences with Moscow. Seizing on U.S. diplomatic failures, Putin looks to shore up strained relations with Turkey and EU, dismissing Cold War rhetoric coming out of Washington. Making deals with Turkey undercuts U.S. global influence, especially in Turkey where Erdogan can help shore up support for Syria’s Bashar al-Assad.
Obama’s foreign policy in Syria has backed Saudi-backed rebel forces demanding regime change in Damascus. Putin warned the U.N. General Assembly Sept. 28, 2015 about Saudi-U.S.-EU rebel forces seeking to topple al-Assad, promoting more death, destruction and anarchy like it did toppling Saddam Hussein April 10, 2003. Putin also opposed U.S efforts led by former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to topple Libya strongman Col Muammar Gaddafi, turning Libya into a terrorist free-for-all. Under Obama’s Syria policy, Secretary of State John Kerry often finds himself at odds with his Russian counterpart Foreign Minster Sergei Lavrov. Backing al-Assad’s Shiite regime, Moscow can’t understand why the U.S. backs the Saudi proxy war seeking regime change in Damascus. Pouncing on the chance to mend fences with Putin, Erodogan straddles both sides of the fence.
Accusing Washington of harboring Turkish fugitive cleric Gulen Fethullah, Erdogan sees the U.S. as collaborating with the July 15 coup. “So I’m concerned about what impact is on those relationships as we continue to move foreward,” said Gen. Votel, responding to Erdogan charging U.S. complicity with the failed coup. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cooks worries that a continued breakdown in communications with Turkey could affect military cooperation with U.S. use of Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base, home to 1,000 U.S. troops and U.S. tactical nuclear weapons. Deteriorating relations with Turkey could jeopardize U.S. military operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria [ISIS] in Iraq and Syria. So far, Erdogan hasn’t placed an ultimatum on Gulen’s extradtion: Either hand him over or lose use of Incirlik Air Base. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu asked the U.S. for patience.
Erdogan’s post-coup crackdown has riled U.S. and EU officials, ending Turkey’s prospects for gaining entrance into the EU. Telling U.S. and EU officials to “mind their own business,” Erdogan sees the current crackdown as necessary to root out insurgents to stabilize his government. Concerns about the crackdown on Turkey’s free press have been going on for years since Erdogan consolidated power making himself president Aug. 28, 2014. “Some people give us advice. They say they are worried. Mind your own business! Look at your own deeds,” Erdogan addressed post-coup criticism by foreign governments, especially the U.S. Firing at least 358 of Turkey’s 700-plus generals, Erdogan continues to root out subversives. Erdogan insists he has proof that military generals loyal to Gulen staged the failed July 15 coup. He’s asked Obama to turnover Gulen, or compromise relations with Turkey.
