Friday, June 30, 2017

Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey | whitehouse.gov

Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey

President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey about numerous subjects, including ways to resolve the ongoing dispute between Qatar and its Gulf and Arab neighbors while ensuring that all countries work to stop terrorist funding and to combat extremist ideology. President Trump emphasized the importance of all our allies and partners increasing their efforts to fight terrorism and extremism in all its forms.

More:Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey | whitehouse.gov

Turkey's Waiting Game in Sinjar - The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Turkey's Waiting Game in Sinjar

Michael Knights

June 2017

From Ankara's perspective, an optimal outcome may ultimately involve using soft power, rather than actual force, to remove its Kurdish PKK and YPG adversaries from the district.

More:Turkey's Waiting Game in Sinjar - The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

'We've lost democracy': on the road with Turkey's justice marchers | World news | The Guardian

'We've lost democracy': on the road with Turkey's justice marchers

Thousands are walking the 280 miles from Ankara to Istanbul to protest against a government crackdown on politicians, journalists and civil servants

More:'We've lost democracy': on the road with Turkey's justice marchers | World news | The Guardian

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Turkey’s economic confidence index slips in June - ECONOMICS

Turkey’s economic confidence index slips in June

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Confidence in Turkey’s economy was lower month-on-month in June, according to official data released on June 29.

“Economic confidence index decreased by 1.6 percent compared to the previous month, falling from 100.5 to 98.9 in June,” the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) said in a report.

More:Turkey’s economic confidence index slips in June - ECONOMICS

Liberal Islam is a chimaera

Liberal Islam is a chimaera

The hostile reactions to the opening of a "liberal mosque" in Berlin are no great surprise. They are not, however, evidence that Islam is incapable of reform, says Loay Mudhoon

More:Liberal Islam is a chimaera

Germany rejects request by Erdogan address to Turks during G20 - Nasdaq.com

Germany rejects request by Erdogan address to Turks during G20
June 29, 2017, 07:16:00 AM EDT By Reuters

By Sabine Siebold KRASNODAR, Russia, June 29 (Reuters) - Germany will reject a request by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to address Turkish citizens while attending the G20 summit in Germany next week, the German foreign minister said on Wednesday, in another blow to the troubled ties of the allies.

More:Germany rejects request by Erdogan address to Turks during G20 - Nasdaq.com

Turkey's 2017 GDP Forecasts Raised as 1Q Growth Beats Estimates - Bloomberg

Turkey's 2017 GDP Forecasts Raised as 1Q Growth Beats Estimates
By Josh Robinson June 29, 2017, 9:50 AM GMT+2

The Turkish economy will expand 3.5 percent in 2017, 3.1 percent in 2018 and 3.5 percent in 2019, according to a survey conducted by Bloomberg news. That compares with forecasts of 2.6 percent, 3.1 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively, in last month’s survey.

More:Turkey's 2017 GDP Forecasts Raised as 1Q Growth Beats Estimates - Bloomberg

Turkey remembers Istanbul airport attack

Turkey remembers Istanbul airport attack

Turkey on Wednesday marked one year since three attackers killed 45 passengers and staff at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport. Middle East Online Grieving man holds flowers by commemorative plaque during memorial ceremony at Ataturk International airport ISTANBUL - Turkey on Wednesday marked one year since the triple suicide bombing and gun attack on its main international airport in Istanbul that left dozens dead and was blamed on Islamic State jihadists.

More:.:Middle East Online:::.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

The collapse of Turkish army’s health and education system

The collapse of Turkish army’s health and education system

In late May, more than 1,000 soldiers from a land forces brigade in the western Turkish province of Manisa were hospitalized for food poisoning, and one of them lost his life. The problem at the barracks, where 6,000 new conscripts are receiving training, was described as intestinal infection, but the detailed medical analyses of samples from affected soldiers have not been released. On June 17, a new bout of mass food poisonings occurred in Manisa. Around the same time, dozens of soldiers were hospitalized also in Kastamonu and Diyarbakir, again with food poisoning symptoms.

More:The collapse of Turkish army’s health and education system

Turkish President Erdogan's Dangerous Autocratic Tactics

Turkish President Erdogan's Dangerous Autocratic Tactics

By Adam Turner
Wednesday, 28 Jun 2017 12:15 PM Current | Bio | Archive

In 2016, Rifat Cetin, a Turkish doctor, received a suspended one-year jail sentence — he could have been imprisoned for up to five years — for violating Article 299 of Turkish law code, which bars insults to the Turkish President. The criminally insulting tweet in question compares President Erdogan to the villainous character of "Gollum" from the popular fantasy movie series, "Lord of the Rings." During the trial, Peter Jackson, the director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, intervened to testify that the images were no insult, as they actually depicted Smeagol, Gollum’s good alter-ego. The famous director’s statement may have been enough to get the doctor off, legally speaking, but in the end Mr. Cetin was still stripped of his parental custody rights, and was fired from his job.

More:Turkish President Erdogan's Dangerous Autocratic Tactics

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Turks on both sides split over extending state of emergency

Turks on both sides split over extending state of emergency

Turkey is debating whether to extend its state of emergency by another three months. The parliament imposed the state of emergency known as “OHAL,” its Turkish acronym, in the aftermath of last year’s coup attempt. OHAL has been extended three times since July 2016 and the current term is supposed to expire by July 19.

More:Turks on both sides split over extending state of emergency

Turkey’s role in Idlib remains a delicate one | The National

Turkey’s role in Idlib remains a delicate one

Hassan Hassan

June 27, 2017 Updated: June 27, 2017 10:00 PM

Last Thursday, Ankara announced its intention to deploy troops in Idlib as part of the de-escalation zones plan agreed with Russia and Iran last month. Ibrahim Kalin, a spokesperson to the Turkish presidency, told local media that de-escalation in Idlib would be monitored mostly by Turkish troops while Russia and Iran would focus on the areas near Damascus. The announcement came amid reports on social media of Turkish troops amassing near the northwestern Syrian border.

More:Turkey’s role in Idlib remains a delicate one | The National

Turkish trade with Qatar increased three-fold since boycott

Turkish trade with Qatar increased three-fold since boycott

Turkey's exports to Qatar have increased three-fold, reaching a value of 32.5 million dollars, since four Arab countries surrounding Qatar imposed a ban on 5 June, as reported by Turkey's Minister for Customs and Trade, Bülent Tüfenkci.

More:Turkish trade with Qatar increased three-fold since boycott

Monday, June 26, 2017

102,000 suspects accused of Gülen links are ByLock users, Turkish communication authority says - CRIME

102,000 suspects accused of Gülen links are ByLock users, Turkish communication authority says

ANKARA

Turkey’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) has said that it analyzed various messages of 102,000 suspects accused of being members of the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) and determined that they were sent through ByLock, the group’s encrypted messaging application, Sabah daily reported on June 26.

More:102,000 suspects accused of Gülen links are ByLock users, Turkish communication authority says - CRIME

Main opposition CHP wants an end to Turkey’s year-long state of emergency - POLITICS

AM Main opposition CHP wants an end to Turkey’s year-long state of emergency

ANKARA
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has reiterated its call to the government to not extend the state of emergency, stressing the importance of “returning to normalcy” and “re-establishing democratic order” in Turkey.

More:Main opposition CHP wants an end to Turkey’s year-long state of emergency - POLITICS

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Turkey's Identity Crisis - The Atlantic

Turkey's Identity Crisis

As politicians purposefully polarize their own society for political profit, the result is rage and violence.

More:Turkey's Identity Crisis - The Atlantic

Austria cracks down on Turkish citizens with 2 passports - Europe - Stripes

Austria cracks down on Turkish citizens with 2 passports

By GEORGE JAHN | Associated Press | Published: June 24, 2017

VIENNA — With his rich Tyrolean accent, Mehmet Altin appears to be a native of the alpine Austrian province. But the campground operator who moved to a sleepy mountain village decades ago could lose his adopted country's citizenship, along with potentially thousands of others targeted by a crackdown on immigrants illegally holding both Turkish and Austrian passports.

More:Austria cracks down on Turkish citizens with 2 passports - Europe - Stripes

Friday, June 23, 2017

New clashes likely between Turkey, Europe

New clashes likely between Turkey, Europe

Once again, Turkey and the European Union appear destined for a head-on collision in their relations, one that looks very difficult, if not impossible, to avert.

More:New clashes likely between Turkey, Europe

Letter From Ankara - Carnegie Europe - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Letter From Ankara

Sinan Ülgen

Increasingly, Turkey’s leaders seek to reshape their country’s relationship with the EU away from the goal of accession toward a framework more focused on trade.

More:Letter From Ankara - Carnegie Europe - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Arabs ousting Turkey from region

Arabs ousting Turkey from region

23 June 2017 17:25 (UTC+04:00) 3 Baku, Azerbaijan, June 23 By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:

Following 18 days of political and economic isolation of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE, these countries, through the mediation of Kuwait, sent their requirements to Doha, consisting of 13 points.

More:Arabs ousting Turkey from region

Turkey to stop teaching evolution theory in high schools: education board | Reuters

Turkey to stop teaching evolution theory in high schools: education board

By Tuvan Gumrukcu | ANKARA

Turkey is to stop teaching Darwin's theory of evolution in high schools, deeming it controversial and difficult to understand, a senior education official said, a move likely to alarm secular Turks.

More:Turkey to stop teaching evolution theory in high schools: education board | Reuters

Germany Condemns Turkish Criticism of Berlin's New Liberal Mosque | World News | US News

Germany Condemns Turkish Criticism of Berlin's New Liberal Mosque

June 23, 2017, at 11:34 a.m.

BERLIN/ANKARA (Reuters) - The German government on Friday condemned Turkish criticism of a new liberal mosque in Berlin as interference in freedom of religion and opinion, adding further strain to an already fraught relationship.

More:Germany Condemns Turkish Criticism of Berlin's New Liberal Mosque | World News | US News

Thursday, June 22, 2017

A Turkish Fantasyland and an Israeli nightmare - Opinion - Israel News | Haaretz.com

A Turkish Fantasyland and an Israeli Nightmare

Turkey’s mix of make-believe statistics and political repression is going to end badly. Israelis shouldn’t be so confident it couldn’t happen to us.

More:A Turkish Fantasyland and an Israeli nightmare - Opinion - Israel News | Haaretz.com

First ship carrying food departs Turkey for Qatar - ECONOMICS

First ship carrying food departs Turkey for Qatar

İZMİR/DOHA - Anadolu Agency Print Page Send to friend » Share on Facebook [First ship carrying food departs Turkey for Qatar ] A ship carrying 4,000 tons of food for beleaguered Qatar left Turkey early on June 22, marking a change in how essential supplies are being sent to the tiny Gulf state. The vessel, carrying dry food, fruits and vegetables, departed from İzmir in western Turkey.

More:First ship carrying food departs Turkey for Qatar - ECONOMICS

Turkey’s public-debt-to-GDP ratio lower than 26 EU states - Daily Sabah

Turkey’s public-debt-to-GDP ratio lower than 26 EU states

Fueled by fiscal discipline and effective public debt management, Turkey managed to display higher performance in terms of its public-debt-to-GDP ratio than 26 out of 28 EU economies last year

More:Turkey’s public-debt-to-GDP ratio lower than 26 EU states - Daily Sabah

MHP dissident Akşener to form new Nationalist Turkey Party - Daily Sabah

MHP dissident Akşener to form new Nationalist Turkey Party

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) dissidents led by former Minister of the Interior Meral Akşener have launched efforts to establish a new political party, which political sources in Ankara have stated will be known as the ‘Nationalist Turkey' party.

More:MHP dissident Akşener to form new Nationalist Turkey Party - Daily Sabah

What is the future of the Turkish automotive industry? - ERSU ABLAK

What is the future of the Turkish automotive industry?

The Turkish government is hell-bent over producing a national car brand. There are various reasons for that, but most importantly, having a national car brand would decrease the country’s trade deficit. If the national car is an electric one it would be even better because it would also decrease the deficit created by petroleum products. However, none of the big holdings in Turkey shared the government’s enthusiasm, because in order for a national car brand to be profitable it either has to be a very expensive luxurious brand or an average priced brand which can sell more than a million cars per year. Everybody knows that kind of a market does not exist in Turkey. So what to do?

More:What is the future of the Turkish automotive industry? - ERSU ABLAK

Erdogan tones down rhetoric in light of Qatar's fate

Erdogan tones down rhetoric in light of Qatar's fate

Will Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ever be welcome in Washington again? Many US legislators would like to think he wouldn't dare come back after the horrid events of May 16, when his security detail attacked peaceful protesters.

More:Erdogan tones down rhetoric in light of Qatar's fate

Turkey–EU relations: Like watching paint dry - BARÇIN YİNANÇ

Turkey–EU relations: Like watching paint dry

It is apparent now that the drop in tourists visiting Turkey, especially from Europe, is not only due to fear of terror attacks. Several countries have been hit by terrorism, but none have suffered such a big loss as Turkey.

More:Turkey–EU relations: Like watching paint dry - BARÇIN YİNANÇ

Why Erdogan Is Flooding Turkey’s Economy With Credit - Bloomberg

Why Erdogan Is Flooding Turkey’s Economy With Credit

Turkey is rushing $50 billion of loans to almost 300,000 companies.

More:Why Erdogan Is Flooding Turkey’s Economy With Credit - Bloomberg

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Germany files espionage charges against alleged Turkish spy

Germany files espionage charges against alleged Turkish spy
6/21/17 8:10 AM

BERLIN — German prosecutors have filed espionage charges against a man accused of spying for Turkish intelligence on a Kurdish politician and activists.

More:Germany files espionage charges against alleged Turkish spy

The Turkish Gandhi’s long march - The Washington Post

The Turkish Gandhi’s long march

By Can Dundar June 21

Can Dundar is the former editor in chief of the leading Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet. He is now living in exile.

When Kemal Kilicdaroglu was elected as head of Turkey’s leading opposition party in 2010, he quickly earned the nickname of “Gandhi.” The moniker had more to do with his faint physical resemblance to the Indian independence leader than with any similarities in revolutionary credentials or background.

More:The Turkish Gandhi’s long march - The Washington Post

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

U.S. Distaste For Turkish Leader Erdogan May Have Reached 'Tipping Point' | HuffPost

U.S. Distaste For Turkish Leader Erdogan May Have Reached ‘Tipping Point’

“If Erdogan is investing in the Trump administration, I can say that he will be disappointed,” Turkish opposition leader Hişyar Özsoy said

More:U.S. Distaste For Turkish Leader Erdogan May Have Reached 'Tipping Point' | HuffPost

Gulf diplomatic crisis: After Qatar, Turkey could be next target of Arab countries

Gulf diplomatic crisis: After Qatar, Turkey could be next target of Arab countries

In the middle of the diplomatic crisis, Qatar has found an ally in Turkey. The country has strongly criticised the measures against Qatar after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar over allegations that the Gulf nation backs terror groups and that its policies, including its support for Islamist groups, threatens the region. The Yemen government, Libya's eastern-based government and Maldives too followed suit.

More:Gulf diplomatic crisis: After Qatar, Turkey could be next target of Arab countries

Turkey received €1bn in EU money to develop democracy

Turkey received €1bn in EU money to develop democracy

By Nikolaj Nielsen
BRUSSELS, Today, 18:46

Turkey has received almost €1 billion from the EU to support rule of law, civil society, fundamental rights, democracy and governance.

A European Commission spokesperson told EUobserver earlier this month some €979.6 million was paid out between 2007 and April this year with more likely to come given Turkey's continued candidacy for EU membership.

More:Turkey received €1bn in EU money to develop democracy

How healthy is the Turkish economy really? | Business | DW | 20.06.2017

How healthy is the Turkish economy really?

Despite the ongoing political crisis, Turkey’s own statistical authority has given its economy good marks. German businesses are rejoicing, but experts remain skeptical.

More:How healthy is the Turkish economy really? | Business | DW | 20.06.2017

Monday, June 19, 2017

Istanbul's ancient Roma community falls victim to building boom | Reuters

Istanbul's ancient Roma community falls victim to building boom

By Paul Osterlund

ISTANBUL (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Uygun Dum lives with 17 members of his extended family in a ramshackle shed with no hot water in Istanbul's Kucukbakkalkoy neighborhood.

More:Istanbul's ancient Roma community falls victim to building boom | Reuters

Turkish military hit by food poisoning scandal

Turkish military hit by food poisoning scandal

The latest controversy surrounding Turkey’s military involves its most valued asset: conscripts. In the past month, nearly 2,000 cases of food poisoning have hit the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). For much of last week, successive reports came out of five TSK units in Manisa province that 600 conscripts were hospitalized for severe nausea and vomiting. The incidents came in the wake of another bout in May, when more than 1,000 conscripts in Manisa sought treatment and Pvt. Husnu Ozel died because of food-borne illness.

More:Turkish military hit by food poisoning scandal

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Erdogan warns Turkey opposition chief over 'justice march' | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis

Erdogan warns Turkey opposition chief over 'justice march'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today warned the leader of the main opposition party against making a planned protest march from Ankara to Istanbul, telling him "don't be surprised" if legal proceedings were opened.

More:Erdogan warns Turkey opposition chief over 'justice march' | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis

Saturday, June 17, 2017

US issues security alert for Istanbul, which Turkey refutes - ABC News

US issues security alert for Istanbul, which Turkey refutes

By The Associated Press

ISTANBUL — Jun 17, 2017, 6:12 AM ET

A U.S. Consulate in Turkey has alerted its citizens of heightened security in an Istanbul neighborhood because of a possible terror threat.

More:US issues security alert for Istanbul, which Turkey refutes - ABC News

Turkish arms industry aims to conquer new markets | Asia Times

Turkish arms industry aims to conquer new markets
Emanuele Scimia
By Emanuele Scimia June 17, 2017 5:55 PM (UTC+8)

Turkey’s budding military industry is trying to gain stable access to the Indo-Pacific market. Ankara is investing a great deal in its defense sector in a bid to ease dependence on foreign acquisitions and commercialize home-built weapons systems abroad.

More:Turkish arms industry aims to conquer new markets | Asia Times

A Mosque Where Women and Men, Sunni and Shiite, Straight and Gay Can Pray Together

A Mosque Where Women and Men, Sunni and Shiite, Straight and Gay Can Pray Together

Associated Press
Updated: June 16, 2017, 11:14 PM IST

Berlin: Seyran Ates' vision of a liberal mosque where all Muslims can pray together — women and men, Sunni and Shiite, straight and gay — turned into reality Friday as dozens of people came together in Berlin to inaugurate a new house of prayer.

More:A Mosque Where Women and Men, Sunni and Shiite, Straight and Gay Can Pray Together

Turkish teachers on hunger strike may be close to death, doctors say | Middle East Eye

Turkish teachers on hunger strike may be close to death, doctors say
#TurkeyCoup

Striking teachers have gone without food for about 100 days

More:Turkish teachers on hunger strike may be close to death, doctors say | Middle East Eye

Friday, June 16, 2017

Turkey opposition chief accuses Recep Tayyip Erdogan of 'second coup' with purge | Zee News

Turkey opposition chief accuses Recep Tayyip Erdogan of 'second coup' with purge

Turkey`s main opposition leader accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday of staging a "second coup" with the crackdown that followed last July`s failed coup, as he presses on with a protest march to Istanbul from Ankara.

More:Turkey opposition chief accuses Recep Tayyip Erdogan of 'second coup' with purge | Zee News

Washington Isn’t Istanbul - WSJ

Washington Isn’t Istanbul
Erdogan’s bullies get police warrants for beating up protesters.
June 15, 2017 7:41 p.m. ET

Washington has enough problems today without having to add other nations’ bad habits to the local political culture. Thus it’s good news that the D.C. police have issued arrest warrants for 12 members of the security detail that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan brought to the nation’s capital last month.

More:Washington Isn’t Istanbul - WSJ

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Spotlight: Turkey faces risks in support of crisis-hit Qatar - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Spotlight: Turkey faces risks in support of crisis-hit Qatar
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-15 01:23:23|Editor: ZD

ISTANBUL, June 14 (Xinhua) -- As the crisis between Qatar and some Muslim countries continues unabated amid efforts for a settlement, Turkey's siding with Doha has been criticized for not serving the country's interests while ruining its chance of mediation.

More:Spotlight: Turkey faces risks in support of crisis-hit Qatar - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Turkey says talking with Kurdistan Region to correct referendum 'mistake'

Turkey says talking with Kurdistan Region to correct referendum 'mistake'

SULAIMANI – Turkey is continuing negotiations with the Kurdistan Region on a decision to hold a referendum on the independence of Kurdistan, the Turkish presidential spokesman said. Addressing reporters at the presidential complex in Ankara on Wednesday (June 14), Ibrahim Kalin said a referendum would deepen the issues in the country.

More:NRT English

Turkish opposition party begins protest march from capital - NY Daily News

Turkish opposition party begins protest march from capital

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, June 15, 2017, 8:34 AM

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey's main opposition party set off on a 425-kilometer (265 mile) march Thursday from the capital to an Istanbul prison to protest the conviction of one of its lawmakers. Thousands began walking from Ankara, with police at the scene.

More:Turkish opposition party begins protest march from capital - NY Daily News

GE signs 10-year wind farm service deal with Turkey

GE signs 10-year wind farm service deal with Turkey
ISTANBUL, 11 hours, 49 minutes ago

GE Renewable Energy and Turkey’s Fina Enerji have broadened their cooperation into a comprehensive ten-year full service agreement (FSA), complemented by a two-year trial of GE’s Predix-powered digital wind farm solutions.

More:GE signs 10-year wind farm service deal with Turkey

Turkey 'frees opposition journalist pending trial'

Turkey 'frees opposition journalist pending trial'

15 June 2017 - 10:45 By AFP

A Turkish court has ordered the release pending trial of opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet's online editor, who was arrested last month on terror-related charges, media reported Thursday.

More:Turkey 'frees opposition journalist pending trial'

Opposition MP joins other lawmakers in Turkish prison

Opposition MP joins other lawmakers in Turkish prison

A prominent opposition member of parliament was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a Turkish court today, part of a widening crackdown by Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) government against its critics.

More:Opposition MP joins other lawmakers in Turkish prison

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Turkey opens Syrian border crossings for Ramadan visits - The Washington Post

Turkey opens Syrian border crossings for Ramadan visits

By Mehmet Guzel and Zeynep Bilginsoy | AP June 14 at 7:55 AM

KILIS, Turkey — Thousands of Syrian refugees are returning home for a visit during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, after Turkey temporarily opened two border crossings with its war-torn neighbor.

More:Turkey opens Syrian border crossings for Ramadan visits - The Washington Post

Turkish foreign minister visits Doha in show of diplomatic support | Euronews

Turkish foreign minister visits Doha in show of diplomatic support

Turkey’s foreign minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, is visiting Doha in a show of diplomatic support as Qatar fights a bitter feud with neighbouring countries over accusations it supports Islamist militants and Shi’ite Iran

More:Turkish foreign minister visits Doha in show of diplomatic support | Euronews

Why is Turkey standing up for Qatar? - BBC News

Why is Turkey standing up for Qatar?
By Selin Girit BBC News, Istanbul

"Thank you Turkey for the milk!" posted one Twitter user from Qatar, along with a picture taken in a supermarket whose shelves were full of Turkish-brand bottles.

More:Why is Turkey standing up for Qatar? - BBC News

Trump's Conflicts of Interest in Turkey - Center for American Progress

Trump’s Conflicts of Interest in Turkey
By John Norris and Carolyn Kenney Posted on June 14, 2017, 12:01 am

Selling out America’s interests on the battlefield

In 2008, the Trump Organization inked into a multimillion-dollar branding deal with the Doğan Group, run by one of the most politically influential families in Turkey, to build a two-tower apartment, office, and shopping complex in Istanbul. The opening ceremonies for the complex in 2012 were presided over by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

More:Trump's Conflicts of Interest in Turkey - Center for American Progress

Iran pays Turkey part of $1.9 billion debt with natural gas supplies - Daily Sabah

Iran pays Turkey part of $1.9 billion debt with natural gas supplies

Iran paid off a part of its $1.9 billion debt to Turkey with natural gas supplies, member of Iran's Islamic Consultative Assembly energy committee Asadullah Karahani said Wednesday.

More:Iran pays Turkey part of $1.9 billion debt with natural gas supplies - Daily Sabah

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Turkey’s future is in Europe – nowhere else - MURAT YETKİN

PM Turkey’s future is in Europe – nowhere else

Amid the new crisis in the Middle East, in which Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan has put his weight on Qatar’s side, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said on June 13 that Turkey and the European Union could cooperate successfully by leaving behind certain recent problems.

More:Turkey’s future is in Europe – nowhere else - MURAT YETKİN

Final hearings into Zarrab, Halkbank executive case to start on Oct 30: US Judge - AMERICAS

Final hearings into Zarrab, Halkbank executive case to start on Oct 30: US Judge

U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman announced on June 12 that final hearings into a case in which the Iranian-born Turkish businessman Reza Zarrab and the former chief executive of Halkbank Mehmet Hakan Atilla are accused of attempting to evade U.S. sanctions on Iran will start on October 30, according to various media reports.

More:Final hearings into Zarrab, Halkbank executive case to start on Oct 30: US Judge - AMERICAS

Turkey-EU updating Customs Union: what advantages await Ankara?

Turkey-EU updating Customs Union: what advantages await Ankara?

13 June 2017 15:47 (UTC+04:00) Baku, Azerbaijan, June 13 By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:

Today, on June 13, Turkey and the European Union are starting negotiations on updating the Customs Union. For Turkey, these negotiations are important as Ankara has set the economic development as a priority outcome of the talks.

More:Turkey-EU updating Customs Union: what advantages await Ankara?

Monday, June 12, 2017

EU choosing to ‘re-engage’ with Turkey: Official - DIPLOMACY

EU choosing to ‘re-engage’ with Turkey: Official

Sevil Erkuş - ANKARA

Turkey and the European Union will hold a political dialogue meeting on June 13 in Brussels “to take stock of where both sides are in their relationship,” an EU official has told the Hürriyet Daily News.

More:EU choosing to ‘re-engage’ with Turkey: Official - DIPLOMACY

Turkey poised to set new record on exports - ECONOMICS

Turkey poised to set new record on exports

Barçın Yinanç - barcin.yinanc@hdn.com.tr

Turkey is set to break a new record in terms of exports, the head of the country’s exporters assembly has said, noting that the export industry has now begun displaying a positive trend following the upheaval after the July 2016 coup attempt.

More:Turkey poised to set new record on exports - ECONOMICS

Turkey to hire Syrian doctors at migrant health centers - LOCAL

Turkey to hire Syrian doctors at migrant health centers

Syrian doctors and medical personnel will be employed at health centers for migrants, Health Minister Recep Akdağ has said, adding that there were a total of 27 migrant health centers in Istanbul.

More:Turkey to hire Syrian doctors at migrant health centers - LOCAL

Hurriyet: Turkey’s economy grows 5 percent in first quarter of 2017, exceeds forecasts

Hurriyet: Turkey’s economy grows 5 percent in first quarter of 2017, exceeds forecasts
12 June 2017 | 11:27 | FOCUS News Agency

Ankara. Turkey's gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate has increased by five percent in the first quarter of 2017 compared to figures in the same period last year, data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) showed on June 12, Hurriyet writes.
The growth forecast for the country was four percent.

More:Hurriyet: Turkey’s economy grows 5 percent in first quarter of 2017, exceeds forecasts

Egyptians boycott Turkish products over Qatar support | GulfNews.com

Egyptians boycott Turkish products over Qatar support

Cairo-Ankara ties have soured since 2013 overthrow of Islamist president Mohammad Mursi

More:Egyptians boycott Turkish products over Qatar support | GulfNews.com

The son-in-law dilemma for Turkish justice - MURAT YETKİN

The son-in-law dilemma for Turkish justice

Amid the Qatar crisis which is straining the entire neighborhood, Turkish politics has become occupied with a son-in-law crisis where the courts are accused of positive discrimination in the case of the relatives of key political figures of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti).

More:The son-in-law dilemma for Turkish justice - MURAT YETKİN

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Sympathies pour out for young Turkish teacher killed by PKK terrorists - Daily Sabah

Sympathies pour out for young Turkish teacher killed by PKK terrorists

Family, colleagues and students bid farewell Saturday to a 22-year-old music teacher killed by PKK terrorists in southeastern Turkey's Batman province.

More:Sympathies pour out for young Turkish teacher killed by PKK terrorists - Daily Sabah

Friday, June 09, 2017

Talking truth to Turkey – EURACTIV.com

Talking truth to Turkey

By Ludwig Schulz |

Ludwig Schulz looks at how scientific analysis can help counter President Erdoğan’s fake narrative of Turkey’s thriving democracy and why the European Union should reconsider its policy towards EU accession countries.

More:Talking truth to Turkey – EURACTIV.com

Will Qatar’s Crisis Become Turkey’s Too? « LobeLog

Will Qatar’s Crisis Become Turkey’s Too?

by Giorgio Cafiero

The crisis unfolding in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is bad news for a host of countries around the world with vested interests in all six Arab Gulf monarchies. Turkey certainly sees the Qatar crisis as deeply unsettling and troubling. Turkish officials have, thus far, stood by Doha, which has established a ‘special relationship’ with Ankara that strengthened significantly after the “Arab Spring” uprisings of 2011.

More:Will Qatar’s Crisis Become Turkey’s Too? « LobeLog

Democracy Is Perishing in Turkey—Here’s How You Can Help | Observer

Democracy Is Perishing in Turkey—Here’s How You Can Help
Erdogan has imprisoned a pastor from North Carolina without charges.
By John A. Tures • 06/09/17 11:30am

When Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan came to Washington, he was hoping to coerce Donald Trump into supporting his plans for regional domination. Instead, Erdogan and his security forces beat up protesters outside the Turkish Embassy, giving Americans a major spoiler alert as to how things are run in his country. Congress took the first step against this bullying, but there is more we can do as Americans.

More:Democracy Is Perishing in Turkey—Here’s How You Can Help | Observer

Turkey's 'American Idol' of Quran recitation backfires

Turkey's 'American Idol' of Quran recitation backfires

Each year the month of Ramadan arrives in Turkey with the special flatbread (pide) and increased competition among TV channels for popular Ramadan shows. This year, however, a new Ramadan show where men compete in reciting the Quran has generated strong opposition from Islamist groups.

More:Turkey's 'American Idol' of Quran recitation backfires

Narendra Modi and Recep Tayyip Erdogan are two of a kind: strong leaders putting their democracies in peril — Quartz

Modi and Erdogan are two of a kind: strong leaders putting their democracies in peril

Ashok Swain and Bahar Baser
June 09, 2017 Quartz india

At the beginning of May, Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s first post-referendum foreign visit was to meet India’s prime minister Narendra Modi. Despite Erdoğan’s controversial pro-Pakistan statement just before the trip, the pair was pictured sharing friendly hugs as the two vowed to tackle terrorism and extend economic relations.

More:Narendra Modi and Recep Tayyip Erdogan are two of a kind: strong leaders putting their democracies in peril — Quartz

Crisis in the Gulf: Escalation or Negotiation?

Qatar: Why Turkey Steps Into the Fray

Turkey steps into the Qatar fray to protect its turf against the Saudis in the fight over Sunni supremacy.

More:Crisis in the Gulf: Escalation or Negotiation?

Power shifts in Turkey make local believers wary - Mission Network News

Power shifts in Turkey make local believers wary
PUBLISHED ON 9 June, 2017 BY Alex Anhalt

Turkey (MNN) — Miles Windsor of Middle East Concern says that as Turkey recovers from last summer’s coup, the government is taking some concerning steps to ensure safety for the country.

More:Power shifts in Turkey make local believers wary - Mission Network News

Turkey, EU start project to keep refugee kids at schools | World | heraldcourier.com

Turkey, EU start project to keep refugee kids at schools

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey, the European Union and UNICEF have formally launched an EU-funded project to encourage Syrians and other refugees in Turkey to enroll their children in schools and prevent them from dropping out.

More:Turkey, EU start project to keep refugee kids at schools | World | heraldcourier.com

Thursday, June 08, 2017

Golden Pen of Freedom awarded to Turkish journalist Can Dündar

Golden Pen of Freedom awarded to Turkish journalist
Thursday, June 08, 2017

THE Golden Pen of Freedom, the annual press freedom award of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-Ifra), has been awarded to Turkish journalist and former editor-in-chief of Cumhuriyet newspaper, Can Dündar.

More:Golden Pen of Freedom awarded to Turkish journalist Can Dündar

Wednesday, June 07, 2017

As Trump stumbles, Turkish economy comes back from brink of crisis

As Trump stumbles, Turkish economy comes back from brink of crisis

US President Donald Trump's underperformance on his pledges has directed global funds back to emerging economies, including Turkey. Propped up by the inflow of foreign capital, the Turkish economy has begun to pull itself together, returning from the brink of the crisis that occurred in the second half of 2016 when its growth rate had dropped to 1%. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) government looks set to close the year with a growth rate of 3.5% to 4%, notwithstanding the many problems accumulated in the meantime, including the budget deficit, bad loan risks, a growing current account deficit, ossifying unemployment and double-digit inflation.

More:As Trump stumbles, Turkish economy comes back from brink of crisis

Qatar crisis: Turkish parliament approves troop deployment | Middle East Eye

Qatar crisis: Turkish parliament approves troop deployment
#GulfTensions

Turkey's parliament fast-tracked legislation allowing troops to be deployed to a Turkish military base in Qatar

More:Qatar crisis: Turkish parliament approves troop deployment | Middle East Eye

Turkey to provide Qatar with supplies, could fast-track troop deployment to kingdom | world-news | Hindustan Times

Turkey to provide Qatar with supplies, could fast-track troop deployment to Kingdom

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said isolating Qatar would not resolve any problems and said Ankara would do everything in its power to help end the regional crisis.

More:Turkey to provide Qatar with supplies, could fast-track troop deployment to kingdom | world-news | Hindustan Times

EU court will audit Turkey assistance

EU court will audit Turkey assistance

Turkey had been allocated €4.48 billion ($5 billion) between 2007 and 2013

More:EU court will audit Turkey assistance

Tuesday, June 06, 2017

Genel tumbles as co-founder Rothschild joins leadership exodus | Reuters

Genel tumbles as co-founder Rothschild joins leadership exodus

By Karolin Schaps and Ron Bousso | LONDON

Genel Energy (GENL.L) co-founder Nathaniel Rothschild quit on Monday in the latest high-profile departure at the loss-making Iraqi Kurdistan oil producer, which will now be dominated by Turkish owners and focused on Turkey's gas market.

More:Genel tumbles as co-founder Rothschild joins leadership exodus | Reuters

Kurdish-backed militia launches Raqqa operation as another declares war on Turkey

Kurdish-backed militia launches Raqqa operation as another declares war on Turkey

The Syrian Kurdish militia and its Arab allies known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) formally announced the start of the fight to liberate Raqqa, the self-declared capital of the Islamic State, just as another Kurdish group declared it was escalating its war against Turkey.

More:Kurdish-backed militia launches Raqqa operation as another declares war on Turkey

World Bank raises Turkey’s economic growth forecast - ECONOMICS

World Bank raises Turkey’s economic growth forecast

ANKARA/WASHINGTON

The World Bank has raised Turkey’s economic growth projections for the next three years as uncertainties ease, tourism recovers and corporate balance sheets mend under the less severe impacts of the July 2016 coup attempt than previously estimated, according to its Global Economic Prospects report published on June 5.

More:World Bank raises Turkey’s economic growth forecast - ECONOMICS

Rojava's Future: Four Models Explained - The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Rojava's Future: Four Models Explained

Soner Cagaptay June 5, 2017

As Washington considers its next steps in northern Syria, it will need to weigh the geostrategic consequences of backing local Kurdish forces whose objectives may align or conflict with those of Russia, Iran, and various other actors.

More:Rojava's Future: Four Models Explained - The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Monday, June 05, 2017

Cypriot leaders agree to return to talks | News | DW | 05.06.2017

Cypriot leaders agree to return to talks

Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders have accepted UN chief Antonio Guterres' invitation to return to the negotiating table. Guterres said he would consult with the UK, EU, Greece and Turkey on timing.

More:Cypriot leaders agree to return to talks | News | DW | 05.06.2017

Pa.-based cleric risks losing Turkish citizenship | News | witf.org

Pa.-based cleric risks losing Turkish citizenship
Written by The Associated Press | Jun 5, 2017 3:02 AM

(Ankara, Turkey) -- Turkish authorities say Pennsylvania-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is blamed for last year's coup, will lose his Turkish citizenship if he fails to return to Turkey within three months.

More:Pa.-based cleric risks losing Turkish citizenship | News | witf.org

Sunday, June 04, 2017

Taking advantage of Turkey’s state of emergency - MELİS ALPHAN

Taking advantage of Turkey’s state of emergency

A police operation in relation to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) was conducted at the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality in southern Turkey and 25 people were detained on Aug. 2, 2016. The same day, police came to the Ankara home of Erkan Karaarslan, one of the advisors of Mersin Mayor Burhanettin Kocamaz from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). They searched the house.

More:Taking advantage of Turkey’s state of emergency - MELİS ALPHAN

Saturday, June 03, 2017

Turkey arrests editor-in-chief of Aydinlik opposition newspaper | News | DW | 03.06.2017

Turkey arrests editor-in-chief of Aydinlik opposition newspaper

The Aydinlik newspaper has reported the arrest of its editor-in-chief, Ilker Yucel. The apparent cause was an unpaid fine for an article about President Erdogan's son-in-law published in 2014.

More:Turkey arrests editor-in-chief of Aydinlik opposition newspaper | News | DW | 03.06.2017

Turkey's Alevi community fears more than just IS

Turkey's Alevi community fears more than just IS

News broke May 21 that a team of Turkish police officers with the Counter-Terrorism Department killed two Islamic State (IS) members who were preparing for an attack in the capital, Ankara. One suspected target was a prominent Alevi cultural foundation in Ankara. The terrorists had photos and floor plans of the building. This was not the first time a "cemevi" (an Alevi house of gathering and prayer) appared on IS' radar.

More:Turkey's Alevi community fears more than just IS

Turkey's Corruption Perceptions Index ranking falls - Newsletters - International Law Office

Turkey's Corruption Perceptions Index ranking falls

June 05 2017

On January 25 2017 Transparency International published the 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index, which reflects non-governmental organisations' and business world representatives' perception of public sector corruption and ranks countries on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). The results are based on 13 research initiatives conducted by 12 international organisations in 176 countries.(1)

More:Turkey's Corruption Perceptions Index ranking falls - Newsletters - International Law Office

Turkey’s influence network in Europe is leading to tension | Global Risk Insights

Turkey’s influence network in Europe is leading to tension

President Erdogan uses Turkey religious network in Europe to expand the government monitoring of opposition figures and gain popular support.

More:Turkey’s influence network in Europe is leading to tension | Global Risk Insights

Kurdish militants claim downing of Turkish military chopper | Fox News

Kurdish militants claim downing of Turkish military chopper
Published June 02, 2017
Associated Press

ISTANBUL – Kurdish militants have claimed responsibility for a Turkish military helicopter crash that killed all 13 personnel on board two days ago near the Turkey-Iraq border.

More:Kurdish militants claim downing of Turkish military chopper | Fox News

California passes a 1915 bill to block Turkish investments - Daily Sabah

California passes a 1915 bill to block Turkish investments

The California State Assembly passed a bill regarding the 1915 events that is calling for the divestment of California public funds from Turkish government-controlled financial instruments, to ensure taxpayer funds are no longer used in this manner.

More:California passes a 1915 bill to block Turkish investments - Daily Sabah

Friday, June 02, 2017

The repression goes on

The repression goes on

Turkey’s government is hounding opponents. Shortly after its narrow – and disputed – referendum victory in April, it extended the state of emergency and ran yet another purge of the police. The media had been silenced before the referendum and cannot hold the authorities accountable anymore. By Hans Dembowski

More:The repression goes on

Thursday, June 01, 2017

Ramadan dinners in Istanbul reviving culture of neighborliness - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Ramadan dinners in Istanbul reviving culture of neighborliness
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 22:21:04|Editor: ying

ISTANBUL, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Istanbul's Beyoglu district has been hosting Ramadan dinners everyday at the city's well-known Taksim Square during the holy Muslim month with a view to reviving the culture of neighborliness.

More:Ramadan dinners in Istanbul reviving culture of neighborliness - Xinhua | English.news.cn

World Highways - New tunnels for Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey

New tunnels for Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey

New tunnel connections are to be built in Istanbul and Izmir, along with a new bridge in Izmir. Work is due to start shortly on the Grand Istanbul Tunnel Project. This will be a three level tunnel and should help lower congestion in Istanbul, which suffers amongst the worst traffic jams of any city in the world.

More:World Highways - New tunnels for Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey

Turkey’s German Spy Network | RUSI

Turkey’s German Spy Network
Tessa Szyszkowitz
Newsbrief, 31 May 2017

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spy network in Germany puts additional stress on the relationship between the two European powers.

More:Turkey’s German Spy Network | RUSI