Traditional Turkish elite is losing strength. The Army no longer controls the state, like it used to be before. Diplomatic elite is pushed aside. Islam came to replace it. Neo-ottoman ideology is gaining impetus.


According to Maariv Israeli newspaper, issues on restoration of past grander are becoming increasingly crucial in Turkey. "Turkey's foreign policy keeps focusing on Middle Eastern region and neighboring Muslim states, to the detriment of its relations with the West and Europe. These are sweeping changes, which occur in Turkish society. Islamic factor is gaining force through Ataturk ideology modern Turkish state is based on. In Turks' opinion, same changes are taking place in Israel: radical religious movements are gaining force. There are few of those who support peaceful conflict settlement. Everyone sees what he wants to see," the newspaper specifies, emphasizing that the situation should be taken calmly. "Harmed relations are very hard to restore," Maariv concludes.