Turkey is teetering on the edge. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in his relentless pursuit of absolute power, is systematically dismantling Turkey’s secular democracy. While President Trump seemingly turns a blind eye, a dangerous situation is brewing – one that directly threatens Israel.
Erdoğan’s consolidation of power is alarming. He’s suppressed opposition, controlled the media, purged the military (with particular ferocity following the 2016 coup attempt), and reshaped the intelligence service. The recent arrest and trumped-up charges against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a significant political rival, exemplifies Erdoğan’s ruthless tactics. The ensuing protests have been met with further crackdowns, highlighting the regime’s increasingly authoritarian grip.
Erdoğan’s ambitions extend far beyond Turkey’s borders. He’s skillfully blended Turkish nationalism and Islamism with a romanticized vision of the Ottoman Empire, directly contradicting the secular foundations laid by Atatürk. This neo-Ottoman dream, with Erdoğan casting himself as a modern-day sultan, resonates with a segment of the Turkish population, even those who aren’t religiously devout, tapping into a nostalgic longing for Turkey’s imperial past.
This ambition poses a significant threat to Israel. Erdoğan’s growing power, coupled with his revisionist historical narrative, positions Turkey as a major emerging threat to the Jewish state, raising the specter of a potential conflict. The international community, and particularly the United States, can no longer afford to ignore the escalating situation. Simply labeling Erdoğan a “friend” is no longer sufficient; decisive action is required to prevent a regional crisis of potentially devastating consequences. The question remains: will the world act before it’s too late?
Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former CIA operative in Turkey and resident scholar at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, offers this insightful analysis.
