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[MetalSlimeHunt]

MSH, we're talking about Turkey here, until the AK came into power, they were going as far as banning the hijab from universities. Its government is not more religious that the GOP.

The GOP's theocratic desires are stifled by the Establishment Clause. Turkey's constitution is far more vague, only saying that the nation is secular, which is easily subverted.

Apparently it started as a sit-in at a park that was planned to be demolished.

Yes, the government sold it off to be made into a strip mall. The police cracked down hard enough on the original protestors that they caused all of this. Nobody to blame but their own short-sightedness.

[SalmonGod]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Max White]

So this feels very much like Egypt.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Not really. In this instance the Islamists are the ones already in control of the government and being rebelled against.

[10ebbor10]

Yup, any bets on the military repeating what they did the last X times this threathened to happen. (Ie, military coup to maintain the secularity of the state)

[Max White]

Well the military seem opposed to the police, so it seems possible.
I'm clawing at any information I can get, so not entirely sure of all specifics.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

The difference now is that Erdogan has long since arrested most of the millitary's old guard and replaced them with his shrills, meaning that this is probably coming from people lower down the chain who still remember where their real allegiance is.

[10ebbor10]

The military typically joins up with the Secular party (can't remember the name), which gains most of it's support from the city.
The islamist party gets it's support from the countryside, and as it's in control  of the government, it also has the police and the like.

So...

The difference now is that Erdogan has long since arrested most of the millitary's old guard and replaced them with his shrills, meaning that this is probably coming from people lower down the chain who still remember where their real allegiance is.

Ow

[scriver]

Alcohol. Cornerstone of democracy.

...On a serious note, this really came out of nowhere.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Erdogan's repression was always going to carry consequences. This is just the breaking point.

Most revolutions seem to be that way these days, to the eternal rejoice of Alternate History writers.

[MonkeyHead]

Something seems different about the current situation in Turkey compared to other "Arab Spring" events. This feels far more like people wanting to maintain Turkeys secular nature (which has brought it much closer to the rest of Europe) than previous events have done, and I suspect it will be a lot harder for radical islamic elements to have much influence here as they have done elsewhere.

[10ebbor10]

Well yes, actually, this is the exact opposite of all the Arab spring revolutions.

In the other countries, you had a formerly Western supported dictator, which attempted to secularize/modernize the country. (Or just did other dictator things). Here you got the islamtic party coming under fire from the Secular city population.

To be fair, if the military had thrown a coup when the Islamistic party won X years ago, they would probably be in the same boat as all the other Arabic spring nations

[Max White]

You know I'm kind of... Optimistic(?) about the militaries position here.
Many people often decide they were 'just doing their job' when they follow orders and turn on protesters, yet the military forces choosing to side with the protesters seems like an act of humanity. I don't really understand why the military is taking this stance and not the police, but I am glad they are.

[10ebbor10]

It's simply their historical position. The military has always (see 3 previous coups), sided with the Secular Party. Mostly because it's members where drawn from the "elite" secular classes.

Proving to be quite of a problem though, as there are some signs of nationalism, which hinder international cooperation.

[Haspen]

The situation in Turkey worries be for the very singular fact: it borders Greece.

It is basically Europe. And I'm not sure I want to see 'European Spring' happening I:

* Haspen might be overreacting.