A surge of Western media orientalism against Turkey is rooted in past stereotypes and secularist rivalry.
![The Turkish government has been unfairly portrayed as a "civil dictatorship" [AFP]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20131249355370734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)

Dr Ertan Aydin is a senior adviser to the Turkish Prime Minister and is responsible for domestic politics and the public opinion polls.
A surge of Western media orientalism against Turkey is rooted in past stereotypes and secularist rivalry.
![The Turkish government has been unfairly portrayed as a "civil dictatorship" [AFP]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20131249355370734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)