If Erdogan does not claim to be the protector of Islamic values do you think ISIS or another radical group will claim this position? I agree with everything you said here but I think Erdogan is smarter than he appears to be. He also threatens to ban facebook and twitter on a regular basis yet he used these social media platforms to stop the coup, unless of course the whole thing was an inside job. If only 40% of Turks are secular, probably less I don't know, someone has to keep the rest of the 60% Islamist whackos in line or the nation will cease to function. Do you think having to deal with the political threat of Islam shapes who Gollum truly is? Could any leader rule Turkey without turning into a monster in some form or another? Maybe there's an ounce of comfort knowing that Smeagel has no choice but to keep Islam out of the hands of others who would make the situation far worse... idk
Everybody claims to be a protector of Islamic values. Regardless, the madness has little to do with religion. People are sick with wet dreams about an Ottoman-like domination. Coupled with it comes the Middle Eastern disease of worshipping a ruling figure. I believe it is a reflection of dismissal of responsibility. One person to rule, one person to deal with any kind of trouble. The Gulen-Tard war was partly about this anyway. Both were being patted as moderate Islamist puppets, each with their own agenda. One wished to actually maintain the desired moderate Islamist profile. The other one had been planning to break free at some point as a towering figure and wreak havoc all along. This is again another Middle Eastern disease afflicting dictators. They think it is actually possible to be chained to a greater international agenda as well as to break it without consequences.
There are lots of alternatives in Turkey who are capable of not turning into a monster. There always were. The deep state can't tolerate those who aren't power hungry though. That's what coups are for. And when it comes to toppling an actually good leader, it is never a halfassed theatrical performance like this one. Additionally, remember that it mostly never comes to that. A little bit of pressure and implied threats are usually enough. For instance, that was what happened in late 2002 and triggered the beginning of the travesty we have been putting up with so far. Also now that the dictatorial worship has reached its pinnacle, people will always be looking for a loud howling alpha mongrel in the future. Any less will be unacceptable to them.
By the way, someone wrote in one of the previous posts that the Tard's death is our only salvation now. You are unfortunately wrong. He has set in motion a plan for a good old disguised monarchy, where bringing anybody to any position without breaking a sweat is possible. It might sound plain unbelievable or absurd, but unless something is done about it, he will be replaced by his offspring if need be.
