The 15 July 2016 Failed Coup and the Security Sector

Abstract

This chapter explains the 15 July 2016 coup attempt by examining the security sector reforms in civil-military relations, intelligence and police services that took place during the Justice and Development Party (AKP) era. It argues that the reforms created forces loyal to the government, which prevented a successful coup. However, it was also the events of the prior decade that sowed the seeds of the coup by disturbing the existing balance of power between different groups and institutions. The chapter concludes by looking at the changes in the security sector in the aftermath of the coup as “unlearned” lessons.