Erdogan’s reshuffle clips military’s wings

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Series Title
Series Details 6.8.11
Publication Date 06/08/2011
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Article analyses the evolution of the balance between the civilian (Islamist) government and the military in Turkey in the context of the resignation of the top military chiefs in Turkey in July 2011.

On the 8 August 2011 the FT reported that the Turkish government was to follow up its purge of the senior ranks of Turkey’s armed forces with constitutional changes to bring the previously powerful military firmly under civilian control.

It intended to curtail the high command’s financial and judicial autonomy, and start moving Turkey’s 1m-strong forces from a conscript to a professional army.

In what was seen as a landmark case, one of Turkey's most senior military commanders, General Bilgin Balanli, appeared on the 15 August 2011 in front of civilian judges on charges of seeking to undermine the government.

Related Links
ESO: Background information: Turkey: Military chiefs resign en masse http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-military-chiefs-resign-en-masse/
Deutsche Welle, 9.8.11: Turkish court orders arrest of officers over plot against government http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15303920,00.html
BBC News, 8.8.11: Turkey issues arrest warrants for seven top officers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14448769
BBC News, 15.8.11: Turkish general in court on Sledgehammer 'plot' charges http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14528411
Deutsche Welle, 16.8.11: Turkish army trials prompt fears of one-party stranglehold http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15318270,00.html

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