On the urban domestic front, the PKK, DAESH and the DHKP/C are expected to be active in initiating armed attacks, particularly suicide or VBIED attacks, even before the wintertime. Security forces should watch over Adana and Mersin provinces with extra care for a potential urban attempt by the PKK. PKK affiliated TAK, and DHKP/C forces and DAESH should be targeted with more police operations in Istanbul and Ankara. More importantly, it was the people who were behind the success of ousting the coup attempt. A pseudo civil defense organization against any attempt threatening state and democracy is worthy of considering.

In the larger, regional dimension, Turkey should reinforce its relations with local actors in Syria and Iraq. Turkish security starts beyond its borders and a policy change toward Syria seems probable. Even if this policy conflicts with the interests of the USA, methodologically, the armed elements in Syria could be treated in the same way that the United States treats the PYD/PKK elements. More concrete international support for those pro-Turkey local actors in Syria should be considered. The local partners in Iraq also should be encouraged in fighting with the PKK on the basis of shared interests.

All of Turkey’s security circles found themselves surprised when the sophisticated weapon systems used by coup plotters took the streets of Ankara and Istanbul. According to logical threat assessments, the most powerful defense systems should be deployed to high risk areas, not clustered around the metropolises. Two of the most modern tank models in the Turkish Army inventory played a significant role in the attempted coup; the M60T and Leopard 2A4. The Turkish Army has four M60T battalions in total, and two of them are in Ankara and Istanbul, far away from the Syrian and Armenian border or eastern Turkey. Similarly, the Leopard 2A4 battalions are all located in Trace. Ankara hosts the Army Aviation School and Command, while Istanbul has an Army Aviation Regiment equipped with AH-1W helicopter gunships. Those units could be moved to eastern Turkey, specifically close to the Southeastern borders. Relocation of the units with modern weapon system should be undertaken immediately.

Internationally, Turkey can also revise its relations with NATO for a stronger position in the alliance. Traditional NATO policies over Turkey should be critically analyzed and alternative security alliances can be sought. At all dimensions, Turkey is capable of designing a perfect check and balance system. The current threat is not only the terrorism itself but also terrorist proxies within the state structure and regional security environments.