Some who talk about Turkey and Iran’s relationship launch forth by giving a reference from history and emphasize that the two nations have not clashed in large-scale close combat since 1639. My aim is to not go too far back in history, but instead to relate some experiences regarding similarities of the Turkey-Iran relationship that changed swiftly after the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution with today’s events.
In the fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), it is the political establishment that determines the role of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) like all other government bodies. For example, according to the political authority, the existence of 6,000 armed militants in Turkey’s mountains and within the borders of a neighboring country and subsistence of active terrorist networks and sympathizers in its cities are just ordinary security problems.
One of the most important factors affecting civil-military relations in Turkey has been the ongoing fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) for the last three decades.
As the ongoing bloodshed in Syria shatters hopes of a “soft” regime change, the country is proceeding rapidly toward the point of no return.
Increasing public pressure after the recent Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) attacks has prompted the government to take action.