The Heat discusses Turkish President Erdogan’s growing conservatism

The Heat

In both comments and actions, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appears to be moving his country from a secular one to an Islamic state. What’s Turkey’s future and what does it mean for its alliance with the West and the fight against the jihadist group ISIL?

Nearly a hundred years ago, the father and first president of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, hoped to shape his country through reforms that included more freedom for women, the abolition of all Islamic institutions and the introduction of Western legal codes, dress, calendar and alphabet.

But now, Erdogan’s particular brand of conservatism and Turkish nationalism is steering the country in a different direction. His recent remarks about women have raised eyebrows, but they have also struck a chord with many conservatives at home.

Modern-day Turkey is increasingly at odds with it’s past as it faces a sluggish economy, moves toward regional isolationism, and charges that authoritarian rule is growing. What’s Turkey’s future and what does it mean for its strategic alliance with the West? CCTV America’s Natalie Carney reported this story from Istanbul.

The Heat interviewed Andrew Parasiliti, director of the Center for Global Risk and Security at the RAND Corporation, about the history of Turkey.

We also interviewed a panel of experts about the future of Turkey as an Islamic or secular state.

  • Esra Bozkir, an associate with Sidar Global Advisors, which offering strategic advice on Turkey’s economy and foreign policy. On Twitter: @denizbozkir
  • Hakan Camuz, chairman of MUSIAD U.K., a branch of the Turkish Independent Industrialists & Businessmen’s Association. On Twitter: @hakancamuz