Coup attempt in Turkey

[Malicious Intent]

Just what the region needs at this moment... 

Even if the coup succeeds, I can not see this end well and peacefully, given Erdogans support from a significant part of the population. And if the coup fails, we may soon see a Turkish version of the Ermächtigungsgesetz.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see the AKP fall, but I had hoped for a democratic defeat.

[Valmy]

Looks like Languish may get what it wants.  Maybe a lot of people will die as well.

So right Raz this totally made my day.

Made some people's day.

Well why don't you talk to them instead of lumping us all together for your own self-congratulatory bullshit?

[Solmyr]

Just a thought, could NATO become involved in this somehow?

[Valmy]

Just what the region needs at this moment... 

Even if the coup succeeds, I can not see this end well and peacefully, given Erdogans support from a significant part of the population. And if the coup fails, we may soon see a Turkish version of the Ermächtigungsgesetz.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see the AKP fall, but I had hoped for a democratic defeat.

Pretty much.

[Maladict]

Just a thought, could NATO become involved in this somehow?

It's external enemy only, isn't it?

[Crazy_Ivan80]

I wonder, looking back in ten years, will 2016 be seen as a freak year when everyone entire bonkers, or a slow buildup to a chaotic and sad decade

shit's been going down for about a decade now given 2003, the colored revolutions in Ukraine, Lebanon, Georgia, Iran, the arab winter, now this...

[Malthus]

Just a thought, could NATO become involved in this somehow?

No - I believe several countries (including Turkey) have had coups succeed while being NATO members - Turkey, Greece, Portugal.

[Valmy]

Yeah pretty sure NATO getting involved in any way is not allowed.

Of course NATO would be stupid to do anyway.

[Malthus]

I wonder, looking back in ten years, will 2016 be seen as a freak year when everyone entire bonkers, or a slow buildup to a chaotic and sad decade

shit's been going down for about a decade now given 2003, the colored revolutions in Ukraine, Lebanon, Georgia, Iran, the arab winter, now this...

By the previous century's standards, ours has been a century of sweetness, peace and light so far. 

[OttoVonBismarck]

I'm reading that the military has now occupied the JDP (Erdogan's party) offices and sent people home. Looks like whatever this is, it's big enough that it's spreading.

[Malthus]

The claim is that Erdoğan was indeed outside the country.

The full Turkish military statement reads: "Turkish Armed Forces have completely taken over the administration of the country to reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and general security that was damaged.

"All international agreements are still valid. We hope that all of our good relationships with all countries will continue."

The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is on holiday and outside the country. Reuters has quoted a source within his office as saying that he is safe.

[Solmyr]

I'm reading reports that he is either in Mongolia or in Bodrum (Turkish Aegean coast).

Also, if the airforce is along for the ride, it's can't be that small.

[LaCroix]

Made some people's day.

it hasn't succeeded yet

[OttoVonBismarck]

I can see maybe some of the logic in waiting until he's out of the country, you feel you can take control quickly and then just declare him persona non grata, the hope being he agrees to live out his life in exile.

The problem as  I see it, is I don't see Erdogan doing that. If this coup is successful he'll be a dangerous figure, if I were couping I'd want to take the President into custody as my first step.

[Liep]

#Turkey on Twitter is a worrying read right now.