Turkey on the brink

For the president: Erdogan supporters waving Turkish flags as they gather at Taksim square during a rally in Istanbul following the failed military coup attempt of July 15. — AFP

While Erdogan gives the impression of heroically defeating a coup attempt, the underlying political differences have become harder to resolve and remain a growing problem.

WHEN some tanks rumbled on the streets and air force jets screeched across the skies on behalf of Turkish rebel units nine days ago, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government seemed caught by surprise.