Ten critical years of Turkish civil–military relations (2007–2017)

Abstract

This paper analyses 10 critical years of civil–military relations in Turkey by investigating a possible civilianisation and the growing AK Party influence in the military. As has been discussed by Turkish experts via a plethora of works, there have been unprecedented developments in Turkish civil–military relations during the AK Party's administration. Yet, recent events—namely, the 15 July attempted coup, the institutional and legal changes instigated during the ensuing state of emergency and President Erdoğan's questionable position as both the AK Party leader and commander‐in‐chief—require us to reconsider the current status of civil–military relations. This paper first analyses the relevant theoretical debates in the literature. Second, it briefly summarises key events from the AK Party era. Thereafter, the paper analyses the so‐called Fethullah Gülen incident. Lastly, the paper analyses the institutional amendments regarding civil–military relations, examining whether there is an increasingly partisan influence over the military.