By Gareth Jenkins

August 30, 2021

The promotions and assignments announced after the August 4, 2021 annual meeting of the Supreme Military Council (YAŞ), which is responsible for deciding appointments in the Turkish high command, reaffirmed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s control over what had once been the most powerful institution in the country. Nevertheless, in recent weeks there has been considerable speculation that a career army officer, namely former Chief of the Turkish General Staff (TGS) and current Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, is trying to position himself as Erdoğan’s heir apparent. 

By Gareth H. Jenkins

July 22, 2016

Many of the details of the failed putsch in Turkey on July 15, 2016 still remain unclear. But, although it is possible that there was some form of involvement, there are problems with the narrative being peddled by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) that it was a purely Gülenist affair. What is clear is that, driven by a combination of opportunism and fear, President Tayyip Erdoğan has seized on the putsch to launch a massive crackdown that could severely destabilize an already very fragile country.