Turkish Regime Sees Egypt Revolution As Opportunity for Repression, Islamism

By Barry Rubin

While all eyes are on Egypt, Turkish regime policy during this time is worth mentioning. The Turkish government has pressed for more Islamization in Turkey and the strengthening of the Muslim Brotherhood there. It even combined with Iran's ally Syria--a far worse dictatorship than Mubarak's--in offering advice on democracy.

Now it has arrested 162 more military officers on trumped-up charges as part of its long-term campaign to subordinate the army. Here's a first-hand account of what's happening.

Whatever happens in Egypt, the Islamist forces are on the march in the rest of the region. And contrary to what some in the West seem to think, they definitely do not view events in Egypt as a setback for them.