More details on the ultra-nationalist group known as Ergenekon surfaced when 33 of its alleged members were seized in a police raid last year. Deemed as a clandestine organization reflective of a
‘Deep state’, media reports highlighted last week continue to speculate on alleged Ergenekon plans to attack the NATO base in Izmir, Turkey. Suspected involvement of a retired General in attacks against a police chief and a state minister, under the aegis of the covert organization were also reported.
‘Deep state’, media reports highlighted last week continue to speculate on alleged Ergenekon plans to attack the NATO base in Izmir, Turkey. Suspected involvement of a retired General in attacks against a police chief and a state minister, under the aegis of the covert organization were also reported. The concept of ‘Deep state’ is believed to be a group of influential anti-democratic coalitions within the Turkish political system, composed of high-level elements within the intelligence services, Turkish military, security, judiciary, and mafia. The notion of deep state is similar to that of a "state within the state" and in the Turkish case seems to be a social phenomenon, seemingly based on a confluence of fact and conspiracy theories. It is a term widely used to describe renegade members of the security forces said to act outside the law in what they judge to be Turkey's best interests.
The phenomenon, much-discussed but never proven, is said to stretch back to Cold War times, when illicit paramilitary gangs were supposedly set up in collaboration with Western intelligence agencies to prevent the spread of communism.
Primarily issues of importance for the ultra-nationalists, in what they perceive as threats to Turkey include EU accession, Armenian genocide allegations and any talk of a peace deal to end the 25-year-old Kurdish insurgency.
One possibility voiced regarding the crackdown on the covert operations is perhaps a continuing power struggle between a government led by devout Muslims and a staunchly secular military, essentially the state and anti state elements. After years of "deep state" rumors, many see the Ergenekon case as a real test of the government's will to dig deep and expose any ties between allegedly illicit gangs and the state.
Discussion Questions:
· Is ‘deep state’ and the activities of the group known as ‘Ergenekon’ a conspiracy theory to malign the secular elite of Turkey by Islamists, or does it reflect a real problem of Turkish polity?
· Are there any cases of ‘deep state’ adventures in your state that you wish to discuss?
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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' This project has been undertaken and developed by the Gilani Research Foundation as a free resource and social discussion tool.
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