I was just at work on a Mike Pence post. But I want to address this quickly, even though we still know very little. Something big and seemingly ominous is underfoot in Turkey. There are numerous reports of tanks on the streets, low flying military aircraft troops securing key bridges – events of this sort happening in both Ankara, the capital, and Istanbul, the great metropolis. These are all the signs one expects to see in a military coup or, conversely, a strong handed response to a conspiracy against the state. Military coups have been common place in Turkey for half a century – especially against Islamist leaning governments. But the general consensus has been that Prime Minister and now-President Erdogan had finally broken the political (Kemalist) grip of the military (show trials, possibly uncovering a coup or maybe fabricating false accusations of a coup). And the era of coups was over. But something of great drama and import is happening.
More updates to follow.
Late Update: AP, CNN and other news sources now report Turkish PM is saying an attempted military coup is underway, i.e., idea being that the outcome is still in suspense.
Later Update: The Turkish military has reportedly sent an email announcement to journalists saying it has taken control of the state. Worth keeping in mind that that can still be more propaganda then fact, trying to make a fait accompli of a still fluid situation. But it leaves no doubt of the seriousness of the situation.
