Turkey appears to be ready to go off the rails any minute. The Prime Minister, Mr. Erdogan, seems to be carrying out a policy of repression to thwart any more efforts to redirect his administration toward a functional democracy. His actions have been duly noted in Brussels and in Moskova. Internal tensions have been exacerbated by recent arrests and a takeover of the country's largest independent newspaper. Such actions spell trouble for the citizenry at a time when the 5+ year old war in neighboring Syria reaches critical mass. The siege of Aleppo has dragged on for months with no end it sight.
Mr. Erdogan appears to be indifferent to criticism from his European allies or former allies. EU leaders have called for a review of all agreements with Turkey. This recent spate of arrests and takeovers is shocking in the eyes of experienced observers. Is this the beginning of a long slide into an Islamist state? Will secularism be sent packing into oblivion?
The silencing of opposition news organizations is a chilling habit of dictators and repressive governments. The arrests of thousands of intellectuals and teachers is another blow to the country. Many thousands of teachers have lost their jobs since the "coup" was put down. This action is always reported as necessary for the security and stability of a country's situation. The Western European countries who had considered Turkey for EU membership are now calling for review, if not outright denial. Mrs. Merkel of Germany is in a tight spot: she has made an agreement with Turkey to have migrants from Syria and other Middle East nations stopped in Turkey, short of their goal of Western Europe. A package of financial assistance was agreed to as part of the deal. Now what?
A vocal minority could be Erdogan's key to success, or, it could be the straw that broke the camel's back.
Before the year is out, the end game should come into view. Clarity will improve after the elections in the USA on Tuesday, November 8.
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