What's happened
Fethullah Gulen, the controversial cleric who lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999, died at 83. Once an ally of Turkish President Erdogan, Gulen became a key figure in a failed coup attempt in 2016, leading to a severe crackdown on his followers in Turkey. His death raises questions about the future of his movement.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, Gulen's death was confirmed by his nephew and Turkish intelligence sources, marking the end of a controversial figure who had a profound impact on Turkish politics. The Independent highlights that Gulen's movement was labeled a terrorist organization by Erdogan's government, which has led to the arrest of tens of thousands of alleged supporters. The Guardian notes that Gulen's philosophy blended Sufism with advocacy for democracy and education, contrasting sharply with Erdogan's increasingly authoritarian regime. Politico emphasizes the implications of Gulen's death for civil rights in Turkey, suggesting that Erdogan may continue to use the narrative of Gulen's influence to justify ongoing repression.
How we got here
Gulen's movement, known as Hizmet, was initially allied with Erdogan's government but turned adversarial after corruption investigations in 2013. The 2016 coup attempt, which Erdogan blamed on Gulen, resulted in widespread purges and the designation of Gulen's movement as a terrorist organization.
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