Does FETO only threaten Turkey?

Summary

The script details the infiltration of Turkey's institutions by the Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), which attempted a coup on July 15, 2016. Led by Pennsylvania-based Fethullah Gulen, the organization has a global presence, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. It recruits and grooms members through schools and education centers, using a hierarchical structure with secretive cells. Since the coup attempt, many countries have recognized FETÖ as a terror threat, closing its schools, but the U.S. remains a haven for the group, with Turkey warning of the consequences of inaction.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The script discusses the infiltration of an organization, FETO, into Turkey's judiciary, military, and police institutions, and its attempt to stage a coup on July 15, 2016.
• 🔍 Turkey exposed FETO and its aims within hours of the coup attempt and has since been working to remove the organization from its institutions.
• 📚 FETO, led by Fetullah Gulen, is a global organization that has been active since the 1960s, starting with religious clerics and spreading through education centers and schools.
• 🏫 Gulen's organization used schools and student dormitories as recruitment grounds, offering scholarships and admissions to high-achieving students with the intent of placing them in key institutions.
• 💼 Once positioned in institutions, recruits were expected to donate a portion of their salaries back to the organization, indicating a system of financial support and control.
• 🔑 The organization has a secretive hierarchical structure with different levels of members, from financial supporters to elites directly appointed by Gulen.
• 🔒 Communication within the organization was highly secretive, with the use of code names and a cryptic app called ByLock.
• 🌐 FETO's influence extends beyond Turkey, with the organization operating schools in the U.S. and other Western countries, raising concerns about its activities.
• 🏛 The U.S. is considered a safe haven for FETO, with the organization operating over 200 schools and generating significant revenue.
• 🛑 Since the coup attempt, 19 countries have recognized FETO as a potential terror threat and have closed some of its schools, significantly reducing its global presence.
• ⚖️ Turkey is urging the U.S. to investigate FETO's illegal activities, warning that democratic institutions could be at risk if these activities are not addressed.

Q & A

What event is described as happening in Turkey on the night of July 15, 2016?

An attempted coup orchestrated by the Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) to overthrow the elected government.

Who is Fethullah Gülen and what is his connection to the coup attempt in Turkey?

Fethullah Gülen is a Pennsylvania-based cult leader who has been active since the 1960s. He is accused by Turkey of orchestrating a decades-long campaign to overthrow the state through recruiting followers into key institutions in Turkey and abroad.

How did Gülen's organization infiltrate Turkish institutions?

Gülen's organization infiltrated Turkish institutions by recruiting followers who were placed in key positions within the military, judiciary, and police through a system that involved opening schools and education centers to groom high-achieving students.

What was the purpose of the student dormitories and schools opened by Gülen?

The dormitories and schools served as places to hold religious discussions and were used as recruitment agencies to provide income for the organization and groom students for infiltration into key institutions.

How were recruits within Gülen's organization expected to support it financially?

Once positioned in key institutions, recruits were asked to donate 10 to 20 percent of their salaries back to the organization.

What is the structure of Gülen's organization like?

The organization has a hierarchical structure consisting of many circles that function as secretive cells, with members in high-ranking positions being particularly secretive and using code names for communication.

How does the organization communicate securely according to the script?

According to Turkish authorities, the organization uses a cryptic app called ByLock for secure communication.

What are the different levels within Gülen's organization as described in the script?

The levels include those who provide financial support, loyal group officials, ideological members, supervisors, organizers and executors, special members, and the elites directly appointed by Gülen.

How has the international community responded to the threat posed by FETÖ?

Since the coup attempt, at least 19 countries have recognized FETÖ as a potential terror threat and have closed some of its schools, resulting in the group losing approximately 75 percent of its schools worldwide.

Why does Turkey argue that the U.S. should investigate FETÖ's activities?

Turkey argues that if U.S. officials do not investigate the illegal activities of FETÖ, they too will eventually face the consequences of having their democratic institutions infiltrated.

What is the annual revenue that FETÖ earns from its schools in the U.S.?

FETÖ earns around 500 million dollars annually from its schools in the U.S.