The Sèvres Syndrome and “Komplo” Theories in the Islamist and Secular Press

Through an analysis of the interpretation of three events by the secular and Islamist press, this essay shows how widespread the “Sèvres Syndrome” is in Turkey, tracing the reasons for and origins of this “siege paranoia.” The premise of the study is that the Sèvres Syndrome inevitably compromises Turkish intellectuals’ perception of reality and influences their ontological understanding of politics and world affairs. This paranoia also inevitably leads to irrational overreactions and apparently irrational behaviors by the masses and by politicians. Failing to understand this paranoia prevents a full comprehension of contemporary Turkish politics.