The Winds of Change: Turkeys Evolution Toward Authoritarianism
Abstract
The results of the 7 June 2015 Government of Turkey (GoT) Parliamentary elections will affirm the shift of Turkish politics away from Western democracy for the foreseeable future. Instability in the region has elevated Turkey's strategic value, and the most recent example of that is the emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria that has increased the strategic and tactical value of Turkey. The newly enacted Syrian Train and Equip program is a significant aspect of the US-Turkish relationship and underscores the strengths of each partner: Turkish geopolitical value and regional leadership as well as US military, financial, and international coordination. President Erdogan wants to increase and consolidate power as he shifts Turkey from a Parliamentary system to a Presidential government. Repression of dissenting or oppositional voices is a disturbing aspect of Turkey's trajectory. A stable, democratic, free, and modern Turkey is beneficial to the US, Turkey, the Middle East, and beyond. As Erdogan guides his country toward a more conservative path, the US must understand Turkey's importance, concerns, desires, and trajectory in order to assist Turkey to remain a moderate, stable, mutually supportive and effective ally.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1012810
Entities
People
- Shyam R. Munshi
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College