Turkey's July 15th Coup: What Happened and Why (Utah Series in Middle East Studies)

Utah Series in Middle East Studies On July 15, 2016, a faction of the Turkish military attempted to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Turkish government blamed the unsuccessful coup attempt on Gülenists, adherents of an Islamist movement led by Fethullah Gülen. They had helped elect Erdoğan and his AK Party, with the goal of bringing an ostensibly “soft” version of Islam into the secular Turkish government. In alliance with the AK Party, Gülenists steadfastly increased their representation in various government institutions, including the military, the police, and the judiciary. This volume focuses on the historical and sociopolitical contexts of the Gülen Movement’s origins and political ascendancy along with its possible role in the failed coup. Editors Yavuz and Balcı are among the first international scholars to have studied the movement from its nascent stages in Turkey. The volume's contributors include scholars who have researched the movement in Turkey, Central Asia, and the Balkans. The result is a comprehensive, timely assessment of numerous dimensions of Gülenist activities, including its social and political networks and the institutions that supported the movement as it became a major economic and educational force in Turkey and elsewhere. This volume reflects exchanges among scholars who having studied the Gülenists, assembled to discuss how and why the movement became belligerent opponents of Erdoğan’s government, and it addresses questions such as how this major, still continuing disruption in Turkey’s politics will affect not only the future of the movement but also that of Turkey's embattled democracy as well. "On July 15, 2016, a faction of the Turkish military tried to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The attempt failed. The Turkish government blamed the attempted coup on Gülenists, followers of an Islamist movement led by Fethullah Gülen, who had helped Erdoğan and his AK Party get elected and bring an ostensibly 'soft' version of Islam into the secular Turkish government. In alliance with the AK Party, Gülenists over time became widely represented in various government institutions, including the military and police. This volume focuses on the Gülen Movement and its possible role in the failed coup, providing historical and sociopolitical context for what may have led to this conflict. Editors Yavuz and Balcı were among the first to study the movement from its beginning. They and other contributors have spent time in Turkey, Central Asia, and the Balkans examining various dimensions of Gülenist activity as the movement became a major economic and educational force in Turkey and elsewhere. Startled by the 2016 coup attempt, a group of scholars who had studied the Gülenists came together to discuss how and why the once-restrained movement became belligerent opponents of Erdoğan's government. This book is a product of their exchanges and it addresses questions such as: what did researchers fail to see in their earlier studies and how will this major disruption in Turkey affect the future of the movement?"--Provided by publisher On July 15, 2016, A Faction Of The Turkish Military Tried To Overthrow The Government Of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Attempt Failed. The Turkish Government Blamed The Attempted Coup On Geulenists, Followers Of An Islamist Movement Led By Fethullah Geulen, Who Had Helped Erdogan And His Ak Party Get Elected And Bring An Ostensibly 'soft' Version Of Islam Into The Secular Turkish Government. In Alliance With The Ak Party, Geulenists Over Time Became Widely Represented In Various Government Institutions, Including The Military And Police. This Volume Focuses On The Geulen Movement And Its Possible Role In The Failed Coup, Providing Historical And Sociopolitical Context For What May Have Led To This Conflict. Editors Yavuz And Balc Were Among The First To Study The Movement From Its Beginning. They And Other Contributors Have Spent Time In Turkey, Central Asia, And The Balkans Examining Various Dimensions Of Geulenist Activity As The Movement Became A Major Economic And Educational Force In Turkey And Elsewhere. Startled By The 2016 Coup Attempt, A Group Of Scholars Who Had Studied The Geulenists Came Together To Discuss How And Why The Once-restrained Movement Became Belligerent Opponents Of Erdogan's Government. This Book Is A Product Of Their Exchanges And It Addresses Questions Such As: What Did Researchers Fail To See In Their Earlier Studies And How Will This Major Disruption In Turkey Affect The Future Of The Movement?--provided By Publisher.