There are riots in Istanbul and other Turkish cities. Hundreds, if not thousands, have been arrested. News reports are not even clear who is rioting or why. The spark that lit the fire began when the Turkish government began clearing trees from a square in order to reconstruct the old Ottoman barracks that used to be at the site. The dispute, however, is not about historic building recreation or the loss of a few trees. What seems to be happening is that the Turks are rioting in protest of the strict Islamic goals of the current government.
Turkey has a long history of secular rule since Kemal Attaturk took power nearly 100 years ago. The idea that strict Sunni Moslems would impose their beliefs on the rest of the country is something not seen in all that time until very recently. Indeed, we may be witnessing the uprising of the relatively secular portions of society. Alternatively, this is no more than one of those occasional spasms of violence that seem to hit Turkey ever decade or so.
If the secular groups retake control of the Turkish government, it will shake up the map of the Middle East. A victory over the Islamists in Turkey might spark similar movements in countries like Lebanon and Egypt.
Of course, it is likely that the USA will stay out of involvement with these events. President Obama's only opinion about Turkey is that it tastes good with cranberry sauce.
Turkey has a long history of secular rule since Kemal Attaturk took power nearly 100 years ago. The idea that strict Sunni Moslems would impose their beliefs on the rest of the country is something not seen in all that time until very recently. Indeed, we may be witnessing the uprising of the relatively secular portions of society. Alternatively, this is no more than one of those occasional spasms of violence that seem to hit Turkey ever decade or so.
If the secular groups retake control of the Turkish government, it will shake up the map of the Middle East. A victory over the Islamists in Turkey might spark similar movements in countries like Lebanon and Egypt.
Of course, it is likely that the USA will stay out of involvement with these events. President Obama's only opinion about Turkey is that it tastes good with cranberry sauce.
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