Gulen will likely leave a lasting mark on Turkey

Significance Gulen was once an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but turned into a bitter foe. Their rivalry shaped Turkish politics from the early 2010s, culminating in the 2016 coup attempt, which Erdogan blamed on Gulen’s followers. Washington’s refusal to extradite Gulen caused a significant deterioration of US-Turkish ties. Impacts A battle within the movement to succeed Gulen will likely unfold. The crackdown on Hizmet’s activities in Turkey has led to a dramatic decline in its revenue streams. A core of Gulen’s devoted followers will remain, but his death will accelerate the decline in the movement’s membership and influence.