Those who are familiar with the Turkish military know it well, so recent media comments made by retired generals have placed hard-to-dismiss psychological pressures on serving officers. Now, once silent retired generals have resumed their oratory, this time regarding the so-called assassination plot against Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc by an illegal structure that has allegedly penetrated the Turkish army.
Former Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug and Lt. Gen. Ismail Hakki Pekin are among those who decided to speak out. Basbug was detained for over two years between 2008-2010 in the context of the Ergenekon coup attempt case. Pekin served as head of Military Intelligence under Basbug and was detained in 2011, also in connection with the Ergenekon case. Pekin is now the vice-chair of the radical leftist Homeland Party, which has distinguished itself with its neo-nationalist and anti-American narratives.