I'm a Little Late on the Job Today
Because I interviewed Naval Academy Commander Admiral Türker Ertürk this morning, who had some interesting insights into the way the Turkish military is feeling these days. I'm just waiting to confirm that what he said was all on the record. I should have confirmed it at the time, but I didn't.
The main thing, from my point of view, was that he did feel confident--despite his considerable fury--that the new appointees are entirely competent professional men who have the right numbers on their phones and are capable of discharging their duties in a near-term emergency. I was extremely relieved to hear that, and coming from him it seemed credible. But it was about the only good news.
More on this later. It was an interesting but utterly dispiriting conversation, for a lot of reasons.
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Sep '10
Re: I'm a Little Late on the Job Today
It appears to me that the Turks should be more worried about Iran than they are but maybe they are so focused inward on the PKK that they are turning a blind eye to the Iranian threat. I can't imagine Iranian success in Iraq would help them either. What is your opinion?
Oct '10
Re: I'm a Little Late on the Job Today
The first question that comes to mind, of course, is whether Admiral Ertürk would feel comfortable saying that the new appointees were NOT competent, incapable of discharging their duties? Wouldn't a statement like that put him at the top of the coup-plotting list?
Edited on Aug 4, 2011 at 9:10amNov '10
Re: I'm a Little Late on the Job Today
Hi Claire. Have you seen Sam Segev's take on these events? He has an uncanny way of seeing the bigger issues and knowing the inside track before many others.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/erdogan-consolidates-powers-126652048.html
Nov '10
Re: I'm a Little Late on the Job Today
In particular, I note something obvious that Segev points out, which appears to have eluded most observers: That suddenly Erdogan's control of the Supreme Military Council has become pretty unassailable and direct.
Also, I was unaware that Erdogan had taken steps toward making Kurdish an official language. I wonder what this signifies? On the surface it would seem a positive step, an olive branch of sorts.