The cleric, the coup and the conspiracy
The lobbying war to extradite Fethullah Gülen to Turkey could irreparably damage Washington-Ankara relations.
At a spacious retreat in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, an elderly Muslim scholar named Fethullah Gülen spends much of his day at rest, in prayer or receiving well-wishers. It would be a peaceful existence, were it not for the international battle raging over what to do with him.
Gülen, a native of Turkey in his 70s, says he is an advocate for peace, democracy and religious tolerance. In a written interview with POLITICO, he stressed that these are values he has spent decades preaching to millions of followers in Turkey and around the world.
