Their joining the EU is pretty much dead in it's tracks. Now they have no need to pretend they're 'westernized'.
Turkey is not and never will be our friend.
Interesting story Turkish Military in New Power Play
[snip]
However, the military has chafed at EU demands that it withdraw 40,000 troops from EU-member Cyprus and extend minority rights to Kurds.
Since taking office in 2002, Erdogan has spoken out against restrictions on wearing Islamic-style headscarfs in government offices and schools and bolstered religious schools. He tried to criminalize adultery before being forced to back down under intense EU pressure. Some party-run municipalities have taken steps to ban alcohol consumption.
The government has even inserted religious references in school text books _ such as claims that washing before Islamic prayers would increase the number of red blood cells.
"This example shows that it is worthwhile to be cautious against fundamentalism in this country," Sedat Ergin, editor-in-chief of daily Milliyet, told CNN-Turk television on Monday.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, a staunch secularist, said Sunday that the government's actions were "rolling back" the gains of the secular republic.
Erdogan's party swept elections in 2002 and is still the leading contender next year, but he may find himself preoccupied with trying to contain the military's anger. He urged the military not to overstep legal boundaries set by the constitution, according to comments published Monday by the state-owned Anatolia news agency.
"The Turkish armed forces must act according to this definition. It cannot step outside of that," Erdogan said Sunday in a speech at Georgetown University.
Buyukanit dismissed criticism that he was threatening democracy.
"Which action of the military is undemocratic?" Buyukanit asked. "I am a soldier, and I am carrying out the duties given to me by laws. As soldiers, we have nothing to do with politics. However, if there are those who are disturbed by our assessments on security and the regime, it is up to them."
[end]
Long before the resolution on the Armenian Genocide resolution.
i agree - this raising up of Turkey as the perfect ally is ridiculous. they do allow NATO bases but that’s because they want into the EU. how about reading about the trial of the son of recently assassinated Hrant Dink, Armenian journalist - among others, for not being “Turkish” enough. they are getting more and more repressive and people are not paying attention.
I found that extremely interesting... in a global non-takeover way. This may not turn out as the players wish.
the turk army is complicit with the PKK in the poppy trade and will do no harm to the PKK.