But all is not lost. There is a tremendous public and press reaction in anger to the tide of Islamism that seems to be flowing in Turkey:
The Turkish people are rallying and may strip the AKP of power. Accountability matters. The party has antagonized many Turks not only with its Islamist platform, but also growing corruption scandals. The Prime Minister's personal finances are murky. While he has declared limited assets, Turkish officials grouse that he refuses to discuss real estate, commercials interests, and funds shifted into his brother's portfolio.
Some Turkish officials are also suggesting that when the AKP leaves power, high level ministers may choose to leave Turkey-perhaps for Saudi Arabia—rather than face public inquiries.
Turkey has long been an ally, fighting with us in Korea and standing against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. With the EU stiff-arming them about membership and the Turkish public possibly rejecting the growth of Islamism in their officially secular society, a renewed and strengthened alliance between Turkey and America is a possibility now.
