Emperor Erdogan of Turkey must be stopped The Johns Hopkins … – Johns Hopkins News-Letter
Micha Jzefaciuk/CC BY-SA 3.0 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan.
In many respects, Kemalisms death warrant was signed by Recep Tayyip Erdoan on July 20, 2016. Following an abortive coup dtat, the Turkish president predicated a state of emergency. In other words, it was a constitutional suspension of the Turkish constitution on the destabilized sociopolitical atmosphere of the country, prompting a widespread culling of dissent within Turkish society.
The first to go, of course, were those accused of being Glenist conspirators within the ranks of the military. As reported by the government of Turkey, 1,684 members of the Turkish Armed Forces had been suspended by July 27, and 96 were arrested. By October, however, the government, under the watchful eye of President Erdoan, had dismissed upwards of 100,000 more civil servants, according to the BBC.
This represents the most obvious slide towards autocracy since Erdoan first joined the highest echelons of the Turkish state in 2003 as premier. His palpable disdain for dissent, especially that which is directed at the media, has reached climactic levels. His favorite piece of legislation, the oft-invoked statute that renders insulting the president verboten, has led to the imprisonment of several thousand journalists across Anatolia. In fact, Turkey leads the world in jailed journalists, beating out such regimes as Vladimir Putins Russia, the Peoples Republic of China, Cuba, Venezuela and North Korea; Erdoans rabid pursuit of detractors knows no equal.
Through the Justice and Development Party (abbreviated AKP), Erdoan has cultivated an overzealous, disturbingly nationalistic base of support centered around the principle of Neo-Ottomanism. As the name might imply, Neo-Ottomanism calls for a resurgence of the ascendancy of the Turkish state in areas formerly ruled by the Ottoman Empire.
In a sense, the variety of Neo-Ottomanism pushed by the AKP can be compared to a (rather alarming) form of Turkish irredentism, conflated with revanchism stemming from the Empires castration by the Treaty of Svres and a desire for the reintroduction of Islamism into the largely secular domestic politics of Turkey.
These tenets are diametrically opposed to the Republic of Turkeys founding principles, laid out by Mustafa Kemal Atatrk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The contravention of Kemalisms guiding pillars, being democracy, secularism and the distinction of the Turkish Republic from Ottoman Turkey, is a grievous disservice to the Republic and could undo almost a centurys worth of progress.
The recently proposed constitutional amendment, an addendum that would mangle Turkeys long-standing majoritarian parliamentary system beyond recognition, represents the culmination of Erdoans long-standing quest to centralize power in Turkey. The adoption of a presidential system in Turkey, a country historically beset by issues stemming from highly centralized state apparatuses, would almost certainly spell the quick and painful death of what remains of Turkeys democracy.
Furthermore, under Erdoan, the Government of Turkey has pursued a merciless policy of opposition against the Kurdish minorities of southeast Anatolia and northern Syria. Erdoan has justified such punitive measures against the embattled Kurds with a blanket accusation that the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) enjoys a broad base of support within the region. In other words, because of the actions of a few, the overwhelming majority of Kurds are forced to suffer.
Ultimately, the AKP-dominated governments stance toward Kurdistan is driven less by a perceived terrorist threat stemming from the PKK than an intrinsic prejudice against the Kurdish people and what they represent: a major roadblock against the sociocultural homogenization of the Turkish state.
Erdoan must be stopped at all costs. The constitutional amendment must, for the sake of Turkeys well-being and posterity, be defeated at the ballot box, else Turkey risks slipping into the insurmountable ravine of statist authoritarianism. The right to freedom of speech is under siege from the Bosporus to the Caucasus, and unless the power of the state is curtailed, the Turkish people risk far worse.
Indeed, for Turkish Kurds, the burden of runaway state power channeled toward the institutionalization of bigotry can be felt every day. The world runs the risk of the resurgence of the Ottoman Empire, and unless we are willing to stand against Emperor Erdoan, pretending Sultan of Anatolia, the people of Turkey will lose.
Howard Senior is a freshman double major in economics and mathematics from Miami.
The rest is here:
Emperor Erdogan of Turkey must be stopped The Johns Hopkins ... - Johns Hopkins News-Letter
- Erdogan's son-in-law buys Italian aerospace company to overcome embargoes and restrictions - Nordic Research and Monitoring Network - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Syria, where Netanyahu and Erdogan converge - The Cradle - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Erdogan Claims Thessaloniki is Part of Turkey, in Latest Tirade - tovima.com - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- We will secure over 50% of vote in 2028: President Erdogan - Trkiye Today - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Is Erdogan really the big winner in Syria? - Kathimerini English Edition - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- VOA Kurdish: Erdogan will renegotiate relationship with Trump administration - VOA Asia - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Israel attacks Syrian forces shortly after Turkey's Erdogan calls for end to 'aggression' - Middle East Eye - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Israel rebuffs imperialist Turkey after Erdogan says it must withdraw from Syria - The Times of Israel - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan defies foreign powers in Syria and demands an end to their intervention - Atalayar EN - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Israeli government must not be allowed to violate ceasefire: Turkiye President Erdogan - Middle East Monitor - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan expects talks with Putin on gas for Slovakia - - - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Lukashenko expressed condolences to Erdogan over numerous victims of a resort fire - - - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan says Turkey ready to intervene to prevent any division of Syria - Al Arabiya English - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- History will confirm Trkiye's righteous stance on Gaza: President Erdogan - Anadolu Agency | English - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- President Erdogan is my friend and someone I respect: Trump - Trkiye Today - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Turkey ready to act if Syrias territorial integrity is threatened - Public Radio of Armenia - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan urges citizens to boycott overpriced food amid falling inflation in Trkiye - Trkiye Today - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan's dream and Syria..., Is Turkey planning to attack Israel? Netanyahu asked to... - India.com - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan favors allowing Syrian refugees to remain in Turkey due to political and economic considerations - Nordic Research and Monitoring Network - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Kurdish PM Barzani with Turkiyes Erdogan: Syria situation on the table - Shafaq News - Shafaq News - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan: We defeated ISIS, which tried to be reactivated - baha news - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Trkiye ready to intervene to prevent any division of Syria: Erdogan - Trkiye Today - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan to visit Syria at the head of a large delegation - Mehr News Agency - English Version - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Ankara will have a hand in drafting Syria's new constitution: Erdogan - The Cradle - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Turkeys Erdogan urges Assad to engage rebels as Fidan readies for talks with Iran, Russia - Al-Monitor - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Erdogan Calls For More Diplomacy In Talks With Putin On Revived Conflict In Syria - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Erdogan aims for repatriation of Syrian refugees in Turkey - InfoMigrants - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Erdogan says Turkey ready to help with ceasefire in Gaza - Reuters - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Erdogan: Turkey ready to contribute to 'permanent ceasefire' in Gaza - Al-Monitor - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Turkey's Erdogan Backed Syrian Rebels To Launch Offensive Against Assad Regime In Aleppo, Says Report - The Times of India - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Erdogan says Turkey ready to help with ceasefire in Gaza - Yahoo! Voices - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Erdogan calls for comprehensive reform of United Nations - Mehr News Agency - English Version - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- ISTANBUL BLOG: How Ankaras American embassy came to stand on Ataturk land illegally granted by Erdogan - bne IntelliNews - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Merkel defends 'golden throne' picture with Erdogan in her new book - Middle East Eye - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan calls ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant courageous - The Times of Israel - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- Rutte to discuss Russia's war against Ukraine with Erdogan - media - Ukrinform - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- Western civilization will collapse one day, Erdogan says - Trkiye Today - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- Enforcing ICC arrest warrants key to restoring trust in intl. system, says Turkeys Erdogan - Press TV - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan admits to barring Herzogs flight to COP29 from using Turkish airspace - The Times of Israel - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Erdogan Pledges Minimum Wage Hike Will Outpace Inflation in 2025 - Bloomberg - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Harlem Eubank vs. Nurali Erdogan: Quotes and Fight Prediction - Big Fight Weekend - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Erdogan admits to blocking Herzogs flight to COP29 from using Turkish airspace - The Times of Israel - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Erdogan boasts Turkey blocked Herzog's plane from airspace: 'We take a stand' - Ynetnews - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Harlem Eubank vs. Nurali Erdogan: What time is the fight? What channel is it on? - Boxing News - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Erdogan Boasts After Israeli President Forced To Cancel COP29 Participation; 'Didn't Allow Him To...' - MSN - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Putin-Erdogan area | Regime soldier killed by Al-Fath Al-Mubin factions and shelling targets towns and villages in countryside of Aleppo and Idlib - - November 17th, 2024 [November 17th, 2024]
- President Erdogan to attend G-20 Summit in Brazil - Trkiye Today - November 17th, 2024 [November 17th, 2024]
- Turkey's Erdogan wants to work with Elon Musk on tech initiatives - Middle East Eye - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan has become the enemy, and its time to deal with him - Israel Hayom - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan: Turkiye severed all ties with Israel - Middle East Monitor - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Turkiye is ready to cooperate with Elon Musk on technology, Erdogan said - Middle East Monitor - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan claims Turkey has 'severed ties with Israel' - Ynetnews - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan says Turkey and Elon Musk could work together on tech - bne IntelliNews - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan Says Turkey Breaking Ties With Israel - Newsmax - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan announces Turkeys severance of all ties with Israel - Press TV - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Turkish President Erdogan will participate in COP29 in Baku - News.Az - November 4th, 2024 [November 4th, 2024]
- Erdogan Vows to Eradicate Terrorist Threats After Recent Attack in Ankara - AL24 News - November 4th, 2024 [November 4th, 2024]
- What lies behind Turkey's ties with Russia and bid to join BRICS? - Reuters - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Fethullah Gulen, Muslim cleric and target of Turkeys Erdogan, is dead - The Washington Post - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan asks Putin to encourage al-Assad to normalize relations with Turkey - Enab Baladi - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan ally makes offer to jailed PKK leader Ocalan to end conflict - Reuters - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan; From Trump-like lies to ongoing trade with Israel through third countries - Tehran Times - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan says Turkey determined to pursue BRICS dialogue - The Hindu - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Turkish cleric Gulen, accused of orchestrating coup against Erdogan, dies in US at 83 - The Times of Israel - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan government reintroduces controversial law to silence critics by labeling them as spies - Nordic Research and Monitoring Network - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Moscow is willing to work toward 'ceasefire' in Ukraine - Turkish President Erdogan - The New Voice of Ukraine - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Scholz, Erdogan clash over Mideast war as they progress on sale of fighter jets - The Times of Israel - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Fethullah Glen, the Turkish Cleric and Erdogan Rival, Dies - TIME - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Turkeys main opposition CHP is in cahoots with President Erdogan and his allies - Nordic Research and Monitoring Network - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- US-based Muslim cleric and Erdogan foe Fethullah Gulen dies at 83, Turkish TV says - The Times of Israel - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Enhancing economic ties and addressing regional concerns: Barzani and Erdogan discuss cooperation - Shafaq News - Shafaq News - October 16th, 2024 [October 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan and Putins talks: Turkeys future in BRICS - News.Az - October 16th, 2024 [October 16th, 2024]
- Amid booming trade ties, Erdogan warns of Israeli attack on Turkiye - The Cradle - October 14th, 2024 [October 14th, 2024]
- Herzog responds to Erdogan: Israel has never had any plans against Turkey - The Times of Israel - October 14th, 2024 [October 14th, 2024]
- Erdogan calls on the world to stand against Israeli state terrorism - Middle East Monitor - October 14th, 2024 [October 14th, 2024]
- Erdogan Says Turkey To Curb Crime After Wave Of Murders - Barron's - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Erdogan Says On Gaza War Anniversary That Israel Will Pay Price For 'Genocide' - Barron's - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Erdogan Accuses Israel of Intending to Invade Turkey - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Erdogan accuses Israel of wanting to wage war on Turkey despite robust trade ties - Al-Monitor - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Erdogan warns of Zionist lobbys influence over leading universities - Middle East Monitor - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]