The three competing factions in Turkey

I am posting this note from Eric Draitser as something that is essential to understand when discussing Turkey. I am planning to write something to clarify my own thoughts

The competing factions in Turkey

Quick point on Turkey:

Most people don't realize this but there are three major factions that in various ways vie for power.

• The first is Erdogan and AKP (Justice & Development Party) which is in the milieu of the Muslim Brotherhood. It is close to those same networks and pursues MB policies, representing the typical petit bourgeois class that MB always represents.

• The second is the Kemalist Turkish nationalists. They are historically connected to the Turkish military and deep state, similar to Egypt. They have historically been friendly with NATO while maintaining a somewhat friendly attitude to neighbors and Russia.

• The third is the faction around Fetullah Gulen, the super-rich Turkish businessman who runs one of the world's largest charter school and private school networks. He is very close to the CIA and has been more or less at war with Erdogan for the last few years.

These three factions have been fighting for power for a while now, and it is these conflicts that really drove Erdogan to consoldiate his power as he has, and implement the draconian laws that have created Turkey's police state.

There's much more to this story, but I'll have to put it all together in a piece as it's too much for a post right now.