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The armed forces have always enjoyed a special status in the Thrkish Republic. The Thrkish military has seen itself as the guardian of secular, reformist, and democratic goals proclaimed by Ataturk and followed by his successor Inönü. In the last 35 years, military officers have taken over the government from politicians twice and brought down two other prime ministers by means of an ultimatum and other pressure tactics under the aegis of its doctrine of national security. This paper investigates the reasons underlying the military intervention in the political arena which is essential to an assessment of the long- term prognosis for civilian nile. Thrkey's future strength lies in its ability to solidify and expand its democracy, and that depoliticization of the military is critical to this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]