"Under the AKP government, in power since 2002, Turkey risks not only being regarded as a rogue state but its president … also risks being branded as a rogue president," journalist Robert Ellis observed, referring to Erdogan's recent comments on the Constitutional Court's ruling.
"Erdogan couldn't care two hoots. He considers the Court's ruling a personal affront," Ellis explained.
In Turkey, what the president considers a personal affront could easily turn into a criminal case. According to the Hurriyet newspaper, Turkish law enforcement agencies have launched a total of 1,845 criminal cases for insulting Erdogan. Those accused include a former football champion, journalists, bloggers and even high school students.
Erdogan's highly controversial remarks, which legal scholar İbrahim Kaboğlu named a "clear violation of the constitution," are the latest example in a string of events that have led to Ankara losing its status as a regional problem solver.
"In the eyes of the international coalition, in the eyes of the United States, Turkey will probably no longer be seen as an asset but as a liability," former Turkish ambassador to the UK Ünal Ceviköz told the Today's Zaman newspaper. "It has lost its honest broker position to resolve problems in the region."
