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The only element missing from Steyn's column (and arguably, it's outside his narrative), is the neutering of the Turkish General Staff (TGS) under Erdoğan. For decades, the Turkish military, and its western-oriented leadership--the living embodiment of Attaturk's secular vision--were a stabilizing influence in the country, both politically and socially. And the TGS wasn't afraid to step in, when elected leaders strayed too far from the Attaturk blue print, or proved incompetent.

Unfortunately, Erdoğan realized that and very carefully removed secular officers from the senior ranks, largely through retirement. In their place, he promoted Islamists who owed their allegiance to him and would never challenge his grip on power, as long as he took care of his military allies. The recent failed coup--if it actually was a coup--illustrates how impotent secular elements in the military have become.

An equally important question: who lost the TGS?