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From Moscow's point of view, continuation of the Syrian conflict creates danger of quantitative growth of ideologically prepared jihadists who can go back to native land (and already do it), which includes Russia and neighbouring countries of Central Asia. Prevalence of jihadist elements within anti-Assad forces in Syria aggravates efforts of peaceful settlement of the conflict. Engagement of the Russian Federation in the Syrian conflict is established by two main strategic aims: issue a challenge to American hegemony on the global stage and help the government of the Syrian president B. Assad in battle with radical Islamists, who are the real danger to national security of Russia.
The author of the abstract -V. Schensnovich.
2017.01.014. K. AZIMOV. WHO IS BEHIND THE COUP ATTEMPT IN TURKEY? // Ekonomicheskie sotsialno-politicheskie i etnokonfessionalnye problemy afro-aziatskih stran. Pamyati Pahomovoy L.F., Moscow, 2016, IOS RAS, P. 46-53.
Keywords: the military coup, the Kurdish rebels, R. Erdogan, F. Gulen, Turkish nationalism, Justice and Development Party (AKP).
K. Azimov,
Institute of Oriental Studies, Uzbekistan
The author analyzes the situation preceding the military coup attempt in Turkey July 15, 2016. There were several coups in Turkey in the 20th century: in 1960, 1971, 1980, 1997 years. The military were the initiators of change of power every time, considering themselves as the guarantor of the state created by Kemal Ataturk precepts. R. Erdogan has repeatedly and successfully attempted to limit the role of the army in the country. It seems that recently the situation has normalized with
the army, which was due to the volatile situation in neighboring countries - Syria and Iraq, and the Kurdish separatists has entered into conflict with the central government in the SouthEast, seeking recognition of the autonomy.
The government gave permission to conduct military operations in the country because of the activation of the Kurdish rebels in the autumn of 2015. R. Erdogan implicitly recognized the error of his former policy to oust the military from political life in Turkey to reach agreement with the commanders of the Turkish Armed Forces.
The most popular version in six months after the coup in Turkey is that the U.S. tried to remove R. Erdogan as he allegedly prevented the creation of a Kurdish state, planned by Washington. List of claims of R. Erdogan against the U.S., has increased significantly since the failed coup. He believes that the mastermind of the coup was Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher who lives in the U.S. and that the U.S. does not extradite to the Turkish authorities. It is precisely F. Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of organizing the coup attempt on July 15.
F. Gulen was born in 1941 in the imam's family. The first sermon he read in 14 years, and became an imam in 19 years. His sermons were different from lectures of other imams, as he drew attention to the need for Muslims to improve and develop themselves, in particular, he promoted the study of many natural and technical sciences, as well as the economy. In the 1990s F. Gulen published works, promoting dialogue between the different ethnic communities and religions.
He founded about 1400 schools, lyceums and other cultural and educational institutions in different countries, where not only Muslims, but also representatives of other religions studied. The main idea of F. Gulen - is to educate the elite in countries where Muslims are. Most researchers believe that his movement does not seek to undermine the secular character of the Turkish state, urging fellow Muslims who observe all the precepts of religion, and to use the benefits of modern society.
F. Gulen tries to combine Islam and modern time. His ideas are imbued with Turkish nationalism and tendency to combine religion and neoliberal economic policies. The author believes that F. Gulen has positioned himself as the bearer of the modern peace-loving Sufi Islamic tradition, adapted to the present day.
F. Gulen believes that the main value of the modern world is knowledge, he has established a network of educational institutions for this purpose. Thus, the main purpose of F. Gulen is to involve Muslims in the modern processes, democracy, market economy, as well as to return status of a regional superpower for Turkey.
In 2013, F. Gulen was included in the hundred most influential people in the world under the version, of the American weekly magazine "Time" (New York), and the list of 500 most influential people in the world according to another American magazine "Foreign Policy", as he took 11th place in the list of most influential Muslims. Thanks to his ideas discussion platform "Rumi Forum" originated in the United States where representatives of Islam, Christianity and Judaism were invited together to discuss the pressing issues of the day.
Followers of F. Gulen promoted formation and establishment of pro-Islamic Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the years of military rule. He also played a significant role in the rise of the current President R. Erdogan as a political figure. We can not say for sure yet if F. Gulen supporters have organized a coup or R. Erdogan himself hoaxed it to get rid of people, hindering to realize his own ambitions. The unequivocal willingness of R. Erdogan to restore traditions of the Ottoman Caliphate in Turkey is the evidence in favor of the second version, but he probably fears that supporters of F. Gulen and the Kemalists prevent him to implement it. R. Erdogan said personally call to prayer in his palace in Ankara, which was broadcast to the entire country, when it became obvious that the coup has failed (or hoax coup failed!), the author writes.
Ankara tried to impose a version for the Turkish public opinion immediately after the suppression of the coup attempt that F. Gulen is the main initiator of the coup. However, the image of the preacher, which enjoys enormous respect in Turkey and abroad, does not allow a definite conclusion, especially since there is no irrefutable evidence. However, the absence of evidence does not mean that the F. Gulen movement has no relation to the coup. Accusations against F. Gulen and his followers have allowed R. Erdogan to purge the army, the security services and the state apparatus.
Author of the article points out that the actions of the Turkish authorities have caused a mixed reaction across Europe. Members of the European Union accused the Turkish authorities of violating the international law. The head of European diplomacy F. Mogherini declared that intention of Ankara to introduce the death penalty again closes the prospects of EU membership for Turkey.
There was a new version a few days after the failed coup attempt that the coup organizers were the U.S. It seems that Ankara decided to play on the traditional anti-American sentiments this time, very popular among the Turks. According to this version, F. Gulen looked like a perfect culprit, planned by the Turkish authorities in order to achieve the national unity. He has been represented as a "traitor" protected by the treacherous America.
The author states that R. Erdogan got a chance to get rid of all those who did not inspire confidence in him, and from the tops of the army - in the first place. This allowed R. Erdogan to accuse F. Gyulen again to reduce the authority of the preacher among the Turkish people, and to divert attention from his own mistakes. R. Erdogan almost sure of the support of the people, which once again will strengthen the national unity and allow to assert his authority.
The author of the abstract - N. Ginesina
