Turkey continues its plunge into authoritarianism under President Tayyip Erdogan. So as to leave no doubt about his tyrannical aspirations, our close ally Erdogan is seeking to change the definition of a terrorist to include anyone he deems to be “supporters” of opponents or listed groups, including members of parliament, civil liberties activists and of course journalists. In in a televised speech this week he declared “democracy,, freedom, and the rule of law have absolutely no value any longer.”
We have followed the rapid decline of civil liberties under the authoritarian rule of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the past few years as well as his empowering of Islamic parties in the once secular state. This trend was evident recently with the rounding up of dozens of professors for simply signing a petition denouncing military operations against Kurds in the south-east of the country. Recently, his government has announced that it will seek life sentences for two journalists who reported on the gun smuggling operations of Turkey to Syria.
It is not clear if he is saying democracy is dead due to his opponents or just acknowledging his systemic destructions of any semblance of democracy in Turkey. However, he notably added “Those who stand on our side in the fight against terrorism are our friend. Those on the opposite side, are our enemy.”
His priority appears to be to criminalize political opposition, particularly the opposition HDP, which opposes the war against the Kurds. He insisted “I no longer see as legitimate political actors the members of a party which is operating as a branch of the terrorist organization.” Erdogan wants Parliament to assist him in targeting opposition MPs from the Kurdish-dominated southeast. Of course, this is the same man who swore that, while he was tearing down the secular traditions of the country to introduce Islamic parties and values, he would scrupulously honor civil liberties and free speech.
Once again, the United States continues to support Turkey and assist the Erdogan regime in beefing up its military.
Source: Independent
He’s not my guy but the unanimous outrage of this blog is interesting. If we had bombings going on here that Turkey has had, we would be rounding up any and all Muslims. Buh-by democracy and rule of law.
It is surprising that Turley does not make any mention of chaos Turkey is having to cope with right now. The bombs, the immigrants, Syria and the Kurds all have a great deal to do with his crackdowns. Think of his situation as something like our 9/11; out of which came the Patriot Act and big-time surveillance.
History lessons need context
@Justice Holmes
Our ally?! And a member of NATO and a man with whom the members of the EU are negotiating for membership in the EU. The West is seen as a collection of patsies. It is time to stop funding this crazies and tell them all to solve their own problems and take care of their own people.
It is time to nations build at home.
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I agree. Why are we funding the crazies? Why are we supporting these regimes? Here’s the answer for us to solve: foreign aid.
Use foreign aid as a means to cut off the $$$. Stop Erdogan from expanding. Force him to recognize his failures and back down.
Let me explain the power of foreign aid. Israel has had a sexual trafficking problem. They have brothels in hidden places; when the US government realized the problem with Israel and their refusal to shut down those brothels, they cut out the foreign aid immediately. It was after a while that Israel slowly recognized the benefits of having that aid that they sent their troops to shut down every single brothel and rescue those who were enslaved.
If we cut off foreign aid to all countries with even the slightest terrorist tendencies, they’ll balk, go into “country shutdown” mode, and won’t become a superpower overnight or continue their “nuclear weapons” funding. Just say no to foreign aid for crazies like Erdogan, and countries like Egypt, Iran, and other places. These countries do not need our help; what they do need is $$$ so they can feel like they can just bash the USA and think that they’re invincible.
It’s sort of like we try to help blacks, improve their lives, but some blacks refuse to accept our help. So they bash whitey for being too whitey. Later down the road, the blacks get caught murdering whitey and now they’re ending up in jail, or on death row, ready to be cooked after being marinated with appeal $$$ for the lawyer(s). We still try to help them, even if it’s to no avail.
The same thing is being done to foreign aid. Just cut them off, use the Keystone XL Pipeline as our means to self-reliance with oil and gas. Once we do, then Saudi Arabia won’t mess with us. However, here’s the problem. Does anyone ever notice the drop in gas prices at the nearest convenience store? That’s Saudi Arabia’s move. They’re dropping those prices to weaken the US economy, hopefully to force the US government and its incoming candidates to stop the Keystone XL pipeline from becoming a dream.
TBH, I think politics is a lost cause because once we vote in new politicians, the cycle still is there. If we cut off the heads of Hydra, it’ll grow more. It’s the same with Congress.
“Democracy, Freedom, and the Rule of Law Have Absolutely No Value Any Longer.” That’s not correct. In Turkey democracy, freedom, and the rule of law never had any value. Here is a video about true Turkish “values.”
I would like to see NATO dissolved, but that will never happen. Defense contractors’ gravy train would dry up. I wonder if places–like the world’s happiest Denmark–would still be as happy if they had to pay for their own defense. However, they might just as well relish not having the US military by breathing down their necks. Let Rasmussen be the hawky supreme leader with his own countries budget. We’ll see how brave he on his own. Yeah, the rest of the EU didn’t really care about Greece. Probably wouldn’t have Turkey either if it wasn’t for Edrogan holding the rest of the EU hostage by controlling the tide of refugees from our bungled military incursions and his willingness to start a fight with Russia. That makes him a huge headache.
slohrss29 – Netflix is running a Norwegian series called Occupied that deals with this problem. They end up being invaded by the Russians and the EU. Have to wait to season 2 to see if they are able to regain their country. BTW, the USA is absolutely no help.
It is time to get Turkey out of NATO and/or disband it. My preference is to disband it, but the US supported the military dictatorship when I was stationed there, so keeping them in NATO has a long precedent despite the political composition of its government. We also had NO problem supporting the Greek dictatorship which was FAR more bloody and brutal than Erdogen. They stayed in NATO too with no protest from its other “democratic” members. Erdogen is simply using the current conflict to empower his power grab, and thinks that we need him more than he needs us. It is time to call his bluff since he is playing both sides and is profiting handsomely both politically and monetarily. We are not so strapped that we cannot get along without him as we were during the Cold War when Turkey had critical bases that we needed.
He’s hoping for change to make Turkey great again. What could possibly go wrong?
Doesn’t matter. America loves him. He buys weapons.
Looks like Turkey entered NATO under false circumstances, and should be kicked out. Won’t happen, here’s why: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incirlik_Air_Base
Besides, the USGovt has a long history of backing dictatorships. Gotta love those hundreds of foreign bases built/maintained with your tax$$.
Obama and Hillary’s guy.
The pro war crowd do not know what to do with themselves this week. Their worst in quite a while. Good news that the EU crowd wasn’t going to follow this mad man (Edrogan) as he tried to start WWIII, and now vlad announces pulling out of Syria–after we started a new PR offensive against him. Well, there’s always Iran and chubby’s North Korea, so they’ll find something to keep the pot stirring there. Have to say, I thought it wise to give Edrogan a chance since Turkey has been an ally for so long. Definitely looks like it’s time to reconsider that. Although–a curious scenario–Kurds are taking responsibility for terror attacks in Turkey, so, once again, our erratic and irresponsible foreign policy has to justify this somehow. But, if Edrogan doesn’t play ball, I’m sure the NED will start a color-coded revolution there as well. Probably already has started.
And meanwhile the Europeans still accept the premise that Turkey should be part of the EU.
Since when have middle eastern values been part of European culture?
The stupidity of “Multi-Kulti” (multiculturalism) becomes apparent.
Alle gegen alle.
Someone on this blog a few months ago pointed out some “parallels”. In 1933 some people burned the German parliament building. It is called (then and now) The Reichstag. Right afterward the German President, named Von Hindenburg, signed The Reichstag Fire Decree. This document took away all civil liberties on the pretext that the government could thence go against the terrorists.
The war and the Holocaust followed. Of course, all of you bloggers recall this from your own days or have heard about it from your parents, grand parents, or great grand parents, or perhaps have read some history. The Parallel: In 2001 some planes crashed into the Twin Towers, The Pentagon and one plane was shot down trying to crash into the White House. Congress passed The Patriot Act.
Erdogan is following the Nazi program. So are we.
Heil Erdogan.
Or as Curley said on this blog: “Hotsie Totsie, I smell a Nazi. Yuk, yuk, yuk, yuk.” Curley was not speaking German. Neither was Congress. Neither is Erdogan. Language is not a barrier. Nazi behavior can be passed around. Heil Trump.
Bernie made a statement in Arizona yesterday that was a Nazi-like as any I have seen since Hillary told the WH aides not to look at her when she was walking down the corridors. Heil Bernie!
War and freedom do not mix.
War necessitates genuine temporary restrictions and unfortunately opportunity for those so disposed to usurp permanently.
I fear the latter here.
Thank you Squeeky for your good analysis. I understand that portraits of Kemal are still to be seen everywhere in Turkey.
I have always thought they fit more as a SEATO country. Switch them over and let Japan worry about them.
Reblogged this on Dave Alexander & Company with Ukuleledave and David Edgren — This is the original Artisan Craft Blog and commented:
Remove the word “Turkey” from the headline and it is still believable. Maybe not yet, but soon.
Well then, kick him out of European institutions such as NATO?
If Turkey’s “activists” are like the Chicago anti-Trump “activists” then there may be more to it than just egomania. Kemal Ataturk “westernized” Turkey back in the 20’s IIRC, and “secularized” the country. In one respect, Erdogan is “un-secularizing” the country. Some see Erdogan as an anti-elitist, social conservative.
Who knows for sure?
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Our ally?! And a member of NATO and a man with whom the members of the EU are negotiating for membership in the EU. The West is seen as a collection of patsies. It is time to stop funding this crazies and tell them all to solve their own problems and take care of their own people.
It is time to nations build at home.