Currently a strained situation has formed in Turkey: the relation between Islamists and "Kemalists has worsened. The first side represents the ruling "Justice and Development party with a number of political and religion organizations, which cast doubt on such a secular model of state created by Kemal Atatürk. The other side consists of Kemalists, which is being supported by large political parties and higher and medium bureaucracy that defend secular state," said specialist in Turkic philology Ruben Safrastyan, the head of Oriental Studies Institute of the RA NAS (National Academy of Sciences), during an interview to the PanARMENIAN.Net journalist. In his words, lately a linkage is being noticed between Kemalist circles and higher army commanders, which considers itself as a guaranty for secular state. "On this background actively is being discussed army's possibility to categorically interfere the political processes aiming at preventing the further erosion of secular state model. I think in the current situation US's opportunities to have influence on events in Turkey increases, since they traditionally enjoy great authority in the army," Safrastyan underscored.

Full text of the interview