Why Turkey’s Gulenist purge is going way too far - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Mustafa Akyol

Mustafa Akyol

Sep 7, 2016

A picture taken on August 2, 2016 shows a picture of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) on a billboard and a mask bearing a picture of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen set up on a dummy at the Kizilay Square in Ankara during a protest against the failed military coup, on August 2, 2016.
Erdogan said on August 2, 2016 last month's attempted coup was a scenario drawn up from outside Turkey, in an allusion to possible foreign involvement in the plot. Erdogan, who blames the plot on the US-based prea — A billboard presents an image of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) while an effigy of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen (R) is displayed at Kizilay Square in Ankara during a protest against the failed military coup, Aug. 2, 2016. — ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of his ruling AK Party (AKP) during a meeting at the Turkish Parliament in Ankara on June 3, 2014. Erdogan is set to announce his candidature for presidential elections in August despite deepening concern over his polarising rule. Already in his third term as prime minister -- the maximum permitted under his Justice and Development Party (AKP)'s rules -- Erdogan has made no secret of his ambition to run for president. AFP PHOTO/ADEM ALTAN

Turkey’s intra-Islamic witch hunt

Mustafa Akyol

Pro-secular demonstrators march with cutouts of modern Turkey's founder Ataturk during a Youth and Sports Day celebration in Istanbul, Turkey May 19, 2016. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RTSEZQH

How ambitions of 'Islamist cult' united Islamists, secularists in Turkey

Mustafa Akyol

A supporter of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan prepares to burn a photo of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen during a pro-government demonstration on Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey, July 18, 2016. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis - RTSILD0

What's behind Turkey’s selective clampdown on Gulen community?

Sukru Kucuksahin

US Vice President Joe Biden (L) gestures next to Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim (R) as they hold a joint press conference following their meeting on August 24, 2016 at the Cankaya Palace in Ankara.
US Vice President Joe Biden on August 24, 2016 said Washington had made clear that pro-Kurdish forces in Syria must not to cross west of the Euphrates River, a prospect alarming for Turkey. His comments come after Turkish troops launched an operation inside Syria to cleanse the key town of Jarabulus from

Turkey is in its own post-9/11 fury

Mustafa Akyol