Well, of course. I’ve been warning about Erdogan’s neo-Ottoman aspirations for years. In February 2018, he declared his desire to reconquer the lands the Ottoman caliphate once ruled: “Those who think that we have erased from our hearts the lands from which we withdrew in tears a hundred years ago are wrong. We say at every opportunity we have that Syria, Iraq and other places in the geography [map] in our hearts are no different from our own homeland. We are struggling so that a foreign flag will not be waved anywhere where adhan [Islamic call to prayer in mosques] is recited. The things we have done so far [pale in comparison to the] even greater attempts and attacks [we are planning for] the coming days, inshallah [Allah willing].” In Nov. 2022, a Turkish TV channel displayed a map of the projected “Turkish Sphere” in 2050. It included Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Greece, Iraq, Turkmenistan, and more.
Twenty years ago, establishment Western analysts routinely invoked Turkey as supposed proof that Islam was compatible with a free, democratic society. Not even they do that anymore.
“‘This Country Could Move to Radical Islam Like Iran,’” by Angelo Calianno, Byline Times, May 30, 2023:
…The Besiktas neighbourhood has always been one of the most hostile to Erdogan. Police and military guard every corner, almost all the streets have been closed and the main square cordoned off. Tensions are high and there are fears, whatever the outcome may be, of clashes between supporters of the two main candidates.
A group of elders give us a “v” sign, for victory. “Today is the day when democracy will triumph again”, one of them told Byline Times: “We need to establish peace between all of us: Christians, Kurds, Muslims. This country has been under Erdogan’s rule for too long, today is the day of change.”
But if Kılıçdaroğlu wins, will the Kılıçdaroğlu supporters go on the streets and celebrate? “That’s a difficult one,” he tells Byline Times.“I can’t answer you, we will certainly celebrate, but in our homes. Many of Erdoğan’s supporters are violent, in the street, it could be very dangerous”….
Kadikoy is one of the districts populated by the young artists and activists of Istanbul; here, too, everyone supports Kılıçdaroğlu. In a few hours, the polls will close; people express their hopes and fears, in the alleys, in the cafes, and near the port, people only talk about what will happen tonight….
“Some of us are concerned that if Erdoğan is re-appointed, the country could move towards a radical Islamization like Iran,” he adds….
SKA says
Interesting that the young man spoke of Erdogan being “re-appointed” rather than being “re-elected.” Seems Turkey has an electoral system as credible as that if the United States.
The Past says
Turkey will succeed at radicalization! Thats when they will attack Israel as the “Bear from the North”!
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Could move? Well, short of making their citizens dress up like they used to during Ottoman & Seljuq eras, they’re pretty much there! If anything, they’re far more influential – and therefore more dangerous than Iran ever was. In the case of Iran, being shi’a, there was a resistance from others to Iranian influence, since Iran is a shi’a country. That’s not the case w/ Turkey, which is sunni, and therefore far more acceptable to most sunnis worldwide, except for most Arabs, who see them as either pretenders or usurpers of what should be an Arab enterprise
As I’ve noted before, Turkey has an alliance w/ Turkic countries on both sides of the Caspian Sea, as well as alliances w/ Malaysia, Yemen, Somalia and Algeria. Pakistan used to be an ally during Imran Khan, but has returned normalcy in its relations w/ the Arabs following his ouster. If & when Turkey asserts its leadership of the ummah, it will be a lot harder to ignore it the way the OIC ignored Iran’s claims
BobC says
You got beat by a short Brit in A-Rab clothing leading a few A-Rabs riding camels cause you were lying, theiving scum back then. What makes you think it wouldn’t happen again, Ergot ?
GreekEmpress says
His “reelection” has emboldened him. Look out Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, and Balkans—
PMK says
Greece, Hungary and Turkey are NATO members. Would the alliance finally expel Turkey if it waged war against another member? We live in interesting times.
John Smith says
Correct GreekEmpress, It’s only a matter of time before he makes his move.
angelo barbato says
This is the perfect example of the Stockholm Syndrome.
Chess says
Isn’t Erdogan the Caliiph?
࿗Infidel࿘ says
I doubt that Saudi Arabia would agree. Historically, every caliphate had a real, physical ownership of Mecca & Medina, and got to control which people were allowed there and who weren’t. For instance, under the Ottomans, Twelver shi’a from Iran weren’t allowed there until Nader Shah came to an agreement w/ them over that
Also, islamic texts do establish the Quraysh Arabs as being the master race. I doubt that Arabs in general, much less the Quraysh, would agree to having a Turk lord over them. The Ottoman caliphate existed over their objections
The last few years, the leadership of the ummah has been a 3-way contest b/w Saudi Arabia, Turkey & Iran. Iran’s claims being the weakest due to it being shi’a, and shi’a being <10% of the world's muslims
OLD GUY says
Erdogan wants nothing less then to re-establish the Ottoman Empire, he has stated that many times over. America needs to stop supplying him with weapons and financial aid.