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Gulen casts a large shadow over Turkey’s ties with West

Erdogan’s fury grows as more European countries express doubt that Gulen is behind last year’s failed coup against him.
U.S. based cleric Fethullah Gulen at his home in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 29, 2016.  REUTERS/Charles Mostoller - RTSKAK8

Fethullah Gulen, the self-exiled Islamic cleric residing in Pennsylvania who Ankara accuses of masterminding July’s failed coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has become one of the main obstacles to improving Turkey’s ties with the United States and Europe.

The perception that Washington is harboring Gulen while European countries are deliberately providing refuge to his followers is increasing Erdogan's fury toward the West. It is also intensifying virulent anti-Western sentiment among his followers.

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