The failed military coup attempt in Turkey comes with many lessons. The courage and sacrifice of the Turkish people in answering the call from their democratically elected leader to take it to the streets against the military might was remarkable. The Turkish people are honourable people who can't be intimidated with the barrels of guns.
One would only hope to see such mobilization of force and power of the people taking place in Egypt when the country went through a similar ordeal about three years ago.
It also shows the hypocrisy of the West, which was silent during the turmoil.
Instead of condemning the coup attempt and blaming those who intended to destabilize the country, they have vehemently criticized the Turkish president for cracking down on the culprits and accused him of overreacting.
They have probably forgotten what the word means. The U.S., for instance, has abandoned all its principles of justice after the 9-11 terrorist attacks. It had occupied entire countries, killing and displacing thousands. How then could the U.S. accuse Turkey of overreacting when its own country has gone wild in violating human rights and the dignity of humans, occupying foreign lands, holding prisoners in Guantanamo Bay without due process and indiscriminate killings with its drones?
If the U.S. had done what it did as a result of a terrorist attack, how far would it have gone if its own military had waged a failed coup like what took place in Turkey?
As the Australia's Independentreported, observers have pointed out that such condemnation looks like hypocrisy, as the same leaders have allied themselves with autocratic regimes elsewhere in the world and in the Middle East, in particular.
How far would [the U.S.] have gone if its own military had waged a failed coup like what took place in Turkey?
It also didn't escape notice, as the newspaper alluded, that the U.S. didn't publicly comment on the coup until it became clear that it had failed.
It is utterly shameful to see the Western world embracing a military dictator in Egypt who had overthrown the legitimate government. I wonder how the U.S. expects to be trusted and revered around the world when it acts in such hypocritical and shameful manner.
The remarkable victory to stop the cowards and traitors was a result of the courage of people who love their leader and their country. When people unite they can achieve a lot. They represent a force to be reckoned with in spite of the many obstacles that might be against them.
Western leaders ought to feel ashamed of themselves for their hypocrisy and double standards. Their words about supporting democracy and freedom around the world are nothing but empty slogans.
As Middle East Eye editor in chief David Hearst wrote:
"If you want to know why Europe and the U.S. are a busted flush in the Middle East, why they have lost all moral authority, indeed any authority at all, and why they are no longer the candle bearers of democratic change, look no further than the three hours of silence as they waited to see which way the wind was blowing in Istanbul and Ankara."
The people of Turkey have shown unity and courage, which should be a lesson for the entire world. Their stand against the occupying forces and subsequent defeat of the coup should be studied and pondered upon. It was a remarkable achievement that should be commended and celebrated by the peace loving everywhere. They didn't hide, but went into streets to say no to occupation, no to foreign intervention and no to military dictatorship.
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