As many of you know, I have a keen interest in Turkey and recent events are quite disconcerting.  Last week,  Islamic-leaning Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrested 49 of Turkey's high-ranking military officers for an alleged coup plot in 2003.  This is unprecedented.  The Turkish military has instigated 4 coups in Turkey's modern history - all to restore Ataturk's policy of democracy.  Erdogan has been trying to reduce the influence and power of the military to appease the EU (which will deny entry anyway, what a farce), and oh by the way, help lead the country down a more Islamic path.  

Regardless of what may be stated (you should read the Iranian press on this one, praising Erdogan), Erdogan has been trying to move the country to be more Islamic (remember April 2007 when Erdogan tried to get Abdullah Gul elected as Turkey's President - mostly a ceremonial post, but still significant - especially given Gul's blatant pro-Islamic stance).  The military has protected the secularism of Turkey, which is now at risk, especially with these recent moves by the government.Opposition parties are calling for early elections, which Erdogan has refused. 

Keep an eye on this - especially with what is also going on in Iran...this is not trivial and has very profound implications for the Middle East.