Modern Türkiye

The rise of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) to power in Turkey was not a simple event, but rather a gradual process of adaptation, impacting the very fabric of Ataturk's republic and its geopolitical relations with neighboring and distant countries. Based on a long series of personal interviews with the party's "spiritual father" and Turkey's first "Islamist" president, Abdullah Gül, and drawing on extensive research into the country's history, this book traces the ascendant trajectory of Islamist movements and their influence in Turkey.
As is his wont in politics, Gül is equally forthright in his narrative, addressing events with clarity and directness. He supports the United States during the era when the second-largest member of NATO was on the verge of joining the European Union, and he speaks at length about relations with India, given its presence in power, as well as with major Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iraq. He also discusses relations with key players in the Middle East, such as the United States, Iran, and Israel. While Gül may not have a personal relationship with the current president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, he still harbors ties of friendship. The book devotes considerable space to highlighting the starkly contrasting perspectives between members of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Erdoğan. The narrative begins with the constitutional amendments of the third phase of the Turkish government, continues through the Gezi Park protests, and concludes with a critical examination of Turkey's role in the Syrian conflict.
Alongside Gul's rich testimony, the book focuses on the team behind it, who have succeeded as individuals with a history of work, struggle, music, and fame, and as insightful analysts of the Middle East today. Thus, across 15 chapters, the book, with a foreword by former Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, presents a brief history, yet one burdened by more than its two decades of existence. It sheds light on the fading progress and attempts to answer difficult questions about the future.