Turkey At the Crossroads: Islamic Past or European Future?
This short, thoughtful essay argues that Turkey is at a crossroads in terms of its foreign policy and basic orientation as a state. The long hegemony of Kemalism, the doctrine derived from the views of modern Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, is nearly over. Turkey is no longer as secular or statist as it once was. Islamic movements are now surprisingly strong, although Hunter does not believe that the army will allow them to come to power. The Kurdish crisis has cost Turkey dearly, not only in financial terms but also in terms of its standing as a democratic country respectful of human rights. If Turkey is to have a European future -- which seems not at all certain at this point -- it will have to find a way to end this debilitating conflict and accept a degree of pluralism that Ataturk tried unsuccessfully to suppress. This short study does a fine job of highlighting the choices confronting Turkish leaders.
Sign-up for free weekly updates from ForeignAffairs.com.