Democratic Control and Military Effectiveness of the Turkish Armed Forces (original) (raw)
This chapter shows that external factors as well as strong civilian leadership have affected the trajectory of defense and military policy in Turkey since the earlier years of the republic. Empowered by the EU, sustained electoral support and successful, albeit informal, counter-coup coalitions, the AKP government succeeded in establishing civilian control over security policy and limiting the military’ s political and judicial autonomy. Existing civilian control over military and defense policy is, however, not firmly institutionalized, but based on the popularity of a strong leadership at a time of low military esteem. Coup-proofing initiatives, i.e. coup conspiracy operations and trials and other measures, such as sensationalist coverage of military leaks, wiretaps, and mistakes, have forced the military out of politics, but have also called into question the TAF’ s military effectiveness.
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