Monday, January 31, 2022

Turkey’s stance on debates threatens its democracy - Asia Times

Turkey’s stance on debates threatens its democracy Millions of Turks have come of age never witnessing a politician work for their vote or being publicly called out More:Turkey’s stance on debates threatens its democracy - Asia Times

The Russia-NATO Crisis Tests Turkey’s Balancing Policy - Carnegie Europe - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

The Russia-NATO Crisis Tests Turkey’s Balancing Policy MARC PIERINI Turkey’s military industry has made considerable progress in recent years and has started locally producing some of its most critical equipment. The intention is to achieve self-sufficiency as soon as possible and to use or export this weaponry as a tool of influence on the international scene. As understandable as it may be, this policy is difficult to manage in turbulent times. More:The Russia-NATO Crisis Tests Turkey’s Balancing Policy - Carnegie Europe - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Turkey – past, present and future: After Erdogan, what then? - Qantara.de

After Erdogan, what then? Casting his eye over one hundred years of Turkish politics in "Geschichte der Türkei. Von Atatürk bis zur Gegenwart", Maurus Reinkowski argues that, without its nationalist straitjacket, Turkey could be in a position to properly realise its potential. Stefan Plaggenborg read the book More:Turkey – past, present and future: After Erdogan, what then? - Qantara.de

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Istanbul's Mayor: Erdoğan's Worst Nightmare :: Gatestone Institute

Istanbul's Mayor: Erdoğan's Worst Nightmare by Burak Bekdil January 29, 2022 at 5:00 am "If we lose Istanbul, we lose Turkey." — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It appears that [Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu's] "terrorists" are actually people who are being probed for links with illegal organizations but who have not been prosecuted -- let alone being found guilty by courts. More:Istanbul's Mayor: Erdoğan's Worst Nightmare :: Gatestone Institute

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Leading Turkish women targeted by Islamists and government  | Europe | News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 26.01.2022

Leading Turkish women targeted by Islamists and government The jailing of prominent journalist Sedef Kabas and threats against famous pop diva Sezen Aksu are stirring controversy in Erdogan's Turkey. It's part of a trend that brings Islamists and government supporters together. More:Leading Turkish women targeted by Islamists and government  | Europe | News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 26.01.2022

Riot police called to Istanbul airport as tourists stranded by snow stage protest

Riot police called to Istanbul airport as tourists stranded by snow stage protest Heavy snowfall continued to cause disruption in Turkey's largest city on Tuesday Andrew Wilks Istanbul Jan 25, 2022 Tourists stranded by icy weather at Istanbul Airport on Tuesday staged a protest demanding hotel accommodation, leading to police being called to the terminal. More:Riot police called to Istanbul airport as tourists stranded by snow stage protest

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Istanbul paralyzed by biggest blizzard in decades | DW News - latest news and breaking stories | DW | 25.01.2022

Istanbul paralyzed by biggest blizzard in decades A large snow storm is causing chaos in Turkey's largest city, Istanbul. Traffic has ground to a halt, leaving thousands of people stranded overnight in freezing conditions. Authorities are urging people to stay home while they work to clear the roads. More:Istanbul paralyzed by biggest blizzard in decades | DW News - latest news and breaking stories | DW | 25.01.2022

Monday, January 24, 2022

bne IntelliNews - Turkey exempts pharma, meat and milk industries from gas cuts but country's energy crisis snowballing

Turkey exempts pharma, meat and milk industries from gas cuts but country's energy crisis snowballing By Akin Nazli in Belgrade January 24, 2022 Turkey’s state-run monopolistic pipeline operator Botas has sent e-mails to pharmaceutical, meat and milk producers stating that the natural gas cuts applied on a rolling basis to industry from the start of January 24 no longer apply to their production, local media reported on January 24. Bread production, however, was not exempted from the gas cuts. More:bne IntelliNews - Turkey exempts pharma, meat and milk industries from gas cuts but country's energy crisis snowballing

The pull of conspiracy theories in Turkish political discourse - Asia Times

The pull of conspiracy theories in Turkish political discourse Deploying disinformation has become a primary political defense By ALEXANDRA DE CRAMER JANUARY 24, 2022 Some official explanations for the plunging value of the Turkish lira border on the absurd. Photo: Reuters / Murad Sezer During a recent live interview with CNN Turk, Turkish Finance Minister Nureddin Nebati used a conspiracy theory to explain the country’s economic woes. The lira had lost nearly 40% of its value against the US dollar, Nebati said, because “the Fed was not an independent institution” and was instead “run by five big families.” More:The pull of conspiracy theories in Turkish political discourse - Asia Times

Thursday, January 20, 2022

EXPLAINER: Are Turkey’s efforts to fix the economy working? | Miami Herald

EXPLAINER: Are Turkey’s efforts to fix the economy working? BY SUZAN FRASER ASSOCIATED PRESS JANUARY 20, 2022 5:11 AM ANKARA, TURKEY Turkey’s government and central bank have taken unconventional steps in recent weeks to prop up a beleaguered economy crippled by skyrocketing consumer prices, instead of ending a much-criticized plan to cut interest rates. More:EXPLAINER: Are Turkey’s efforts to fix the economy working? | Miami Herald

Turkey's central bank ends string of interest rate cuts – WFTV

Turkey's central bank ends string of interest rate cuts ANKARA, Turkey — (AP) — Turkey's central bank kept a key interest rate unchanged on Thursday, halting a string of rate cuts that triggered a currency crisis and sent consumer prices skyrocketing. More:Turkey's central bank ends string of interest rate cuts – WFTV

Monday, January 17, 2022

Turkey to register its new name Türkiye to UN in coming weeks | Middle East Eye

Turkey to register its new name Türkiye to UN in coming weeks Foreign ministry and other state agencies have already made the change, though not everyone is happy with the new initiative More:Turkey to register its new name Türkiye to UN in coming weeks | Middle East Eye

Turkey ignores European deadline to release rights leader

Turkey ignores European deadline to release rights leader Issued on: 17/01/2022 - 15:18 Modified: 17/01/2022 - 15:16 Istanbul (AFP) – A Turkish court on Monday extended the detention of a civil society leader, ignoring a deadline from Europe's top human rights body to release him, in a case that has hurt Ankara's ties with the West. More:Turkey ignores European deadline to release rights leader

Saturday, January 15, 2022

Disasters of the Turkish lira - TittlePress

Disasters of the Turkish lira BY NEWSDESK JANUARY 15, 2022 This week, The New Arabic Voice explores the problems with inflation and the Turkish lira, and President Erdogan’s dangerous temptation with low interest rates. We ask how the problems arose, what it means for the people of the country and whether it could threaten the presidency. Interview with Enver Erkan (@raenver) and Asli Aydıntaşbaş (@asliaydintasbas). More:Disasters of the Turkish lira - TittlePress

Friday, January 14, 2022

Turkey Draws Closer to US and Europe | NewsClick

Turkey Draws Closer to US and Europe But, the truth is the West may accept Turkey back, but will they accept Erdogan? M.K. Bhadrakumar 14 Jan 2022 Being a “swing state” may have tactical advantages but when life gets tough and the tough get going, there could be consequences. Turkey once faced such a moment of truth a hundred years ago. It faces a similar predicament today.  At a meeting on Thursday in Ankara with the European Union ambassadors, Turkish President called for bold action in developing relations between the two sides in 2022. He said full membership of the EU still remains Turkey’s strategic priority and it is “in our common interest to act with a long-term strategic perspective rather than prejudices or fears.” More:Turkey Draws Closer to US and Europe | NewsClick

What keeps Recep Tayyip Erdogan in power? | Recep Tayyip Erdogan - TittlePress

What keeps Recep Tayyip Erdogan in power? | Recep Tayyip Erdogan BY NEWSDESK JANUARY 14, 2022 Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AK Party) holds the record for the longest-running party in the nation’s democratic history in the run-up to the June 24 snap elections. More:What keeps Recep Tayyip Erdogan in power? | Recep Tayyip Erdogan - TittlePress

Thursday, January 13, 2022

HRW: Turkey’s human rights record set back by decades - english

HRW: Turkey’s human rights record set back by decades The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released its annual report documenting the violations of rights committed around the world last year. The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released its "World Report 2022," covering the events that happened around the world in 2021. In its chapter on Turkey, the HRW has commented that "the authoritarian and highly centralized presidential government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has set back Turkey's human rights record by decades, targeting perceived government critics and political opponents, profoundly undermining the independence of the judiciary, and hollowing out democratic institutions." More:HRW: Turkey’s human rights record set back by decades - english

Turkish teen suicide revives secular-pious debate - Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East

Turkish teen suicide revives secular-pious debate The debate over the place of Islam in public life remains among the most contentious in Turkey. More:Turkish teen suicide revives secular-pious debate - Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East

Will Turkish Inflation Kill Erdogan’s Political Future? | The National Interest

Will Turkish Inflation Kill Erdogan’s Political Future? Inflation may be behind a decline in support for Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. More:Will Turkish Inflation Kill Erdogan’s Political Future? | The National Interest

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Erdogan’s Adventurism: A Challenge For Europe – OpEd – Eurasia Review

Erdogan’s Adventurism: A Challenge For Europe – OpEd January 11, 2022 Sarah Neumann* 0 Comments By Sarah Neumann* Turkey has come a long way as a pillar of NATO and the West during the Cold War and has recently gone from being a credible member of the Council of Europe and a country seeking to join the European Union to a destructive and untrustworthy partner for NATO and the West. Turkey’s conflicts and tensions with European countries and the United States have escalated gradually since the justice and development party (AKP) came to power in 2002. In 2020 the Erdogan-led Turkey saw a profound shift in relations with its traditional Western partners. This transformation took place at a time when Turkish foreign policy was close to being militarily influenced by nationalist narratives in order to exert Ankara’s power to near abroad. More:Erdogan’s Adventurism: A Challenge For Europe – OpEd – Eurasia Review

Turkey's economic woes are hurting Erdogan - polls | Reuters

Turkey's economic woes are hurting Erdogan - polls By Ali Kucukgocmen ISTANBUL, Jan 11 (Reuters) - More Turks now believe an opposition alliance is better suited than President Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling AK Party (AKP) to end the economic turmoil that has engulfed their country, according to a slew of opinion polls published this month. More:Turkey's economic woes are hurting Erdogan - polls | Reuters

Friday, January 07, 2022

‘A fire in their kitchen’: In Turkey, dreams are shattered by economic realities | The Independent

‘A fire in their kitchen’: In Turkey, dreams are shattered by economic realities Inflation and stagnant wages make the poor poorer and destroy aspirations of the middle class, writes More:‘A fire in their kitchen’: In Turkey, dreams are shattered by economic realities | The Independent

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

Turkey’s opposition faces Erdogan’s ire as economic crisis muddles election timetable - Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey’s opposition faces Erdogan’s ire as economic crisis muddles election timetable Opposition parties are under growing pressure as Turkey waits to see if Recep Tayyip Erdogan will call early elections despite skyrocketing prices. More:Turkey’s opposition faces Erdogan’s ire as economic crisis muddles election timetable - Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East

Tuesday, January 04, 2022

It's Time to End CNN's License for CNN Turk's Hate Content | Opinion

It's Time to End CNN's License for CNN Turk's Hate Content | Opinion AYKAN ERDEMIR AND TOBY DERSHOWITZ , FOUNDATION FOR DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES ON 1/4/22 AT 8:00 AM EST Turkish media recently reported that CNN International is sending a team to Turkey to "look into its Turkish branch's broadcasting policy," which has been "under fire for its one-sided reports." This belated move gives CNN an opportunity to disassociate its brand from one of the leading propaganda outlets of Turkey's increasingly authoritarian President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It is long overdue for CNN to revoke its license for CNN Turk and its hate content. More:It's Time to End CNN's License for CNN Turk's Hate Content | Opinion

Turkey's Youth Could Be Erdogan's Biggest Threat in Next Year’s Elections

Turkey's Youth Could Be Erdogan's Biggest Threat in Next Year’s Elections January 04, 2022 1:05 PM Dorian Jones Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to create what he described as “a pious generation” of young Turkish nationalists that would be loyal to traditional Islamic values. But political analysts say winning the votes of young people could be his biggest challenge ahead of elections in 2023. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul. More:Turkey's Youth Could Be Erdogan's Biggest Threat in Next Year’s Elections

Monday, January 03, 2022

Two Turkey-origin women to serve in new Dutch government - Turkey News

Two Turkey-origin women to serve in new Dutch government ANKARA Two women lawmakers of Turkey-origin will take their seats in the new four-party coalition government, with the parties reaching an agreement under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Rutte after a 271-day government-free period in the country. More:Two Turkey-origin women to serve in new Dutch government - Turkey News

Turkey's inflation hits a 19-year high of 36%

Turkey's inflation hits a 19-year high of 36% ANKARA – Turkey’s yearly inflation climbed by the fastest pace in 19 years, jumping to 36.08% in December, official data showed on Monday. More:Turkey's inflation hits a 19-year high of 36%

Sunday, January 02, 2022

Turkey’s president cannot defy reality for long | The Economist

Turkey’s president cannot defy reality for long Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s scheme to save Turkey’s currency only heightens the risks More:Turkey’s president cannot defy reality for long | The Economist