Friday, March 31, 2023

Turkey-Syria earthquake: Polarising religious narratives - Qantara.de

Turkey-Syria earthquake Polarising religious narratives Religious discussions on the causes and aftermath of the earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria have dominated Arab discourse recently, revealing the urgent need to support marginalised, humanist religious voices and those placing the human above polarisation and the instrumentalisation of events. By Mustafa Karahamad More:Turkey-Syria earthquake: Polarising religious narratives - Qantara.de

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Erdoğan to slash Turkey’s energy bills ahead of tough election | Financial Times

Erdoğan to slash Turkey’s energy bills ahead of tough election Government seeks to win favour among voters by reducing costs for consumers and businesses More:Erdoğan to slash Turkey’s energy bills ahead of tough election | Financial Times

Turkey's Supreme Election Council allows Erdoğan to run for presidency again

Supreme Election Council allows Erdoğan to run for presidency again Turkey's Supreme Election Council (YSK) on March 30 rejected objections against Erdoğan’s presidential candidacy for the third time. The Good (İYİ) Party, DEVA Party, Future Party, Democratic Party, and Homeland Party had appealed against Erdoğan's candidacy, saying that he has already served two terms as president which is the constitutional limit for the office. More:Turkey's Supreme Election Council allows Erdoğan to run for presidency again

Erdogan's Political Reign Has Never Been on Shakier Footing | Time

Erdogan's Political Reign Has Never Been on Shakier Footing BY IAN BREMMER MARCH 30, 2023 5:00 AM EDT   Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was mayor of Istanbul when a devastating earthquake hit Izmit in 1999, killing more than 17,000 people and devastating the country’s economy. The government’s shambolic response to the natural disaster created an opportunity for Erdogan to burnish his credentials as a capable and compassionate leader, setting the stage for his election as premier in 2003. More:Erdogan's Political Reign Has Never Been on Shakier Footing | Time

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Dutch government ready to contribute to reconstruction of Türkiye’s quake-hit region: Minister

Dutch government ready to contribute to reconstruction of Türkiye’s quake-hit region: Minister HATAY, Türkiye  The Dutch minister for foreign trade and development cooperation on Tuesday offered support for the reconstruction of Türkiye’s quake-hit region. More:Dutch government ready to contribute to reconstruction of Türkiye’s quake-hit region: Minister

Killer drones: Turkey's growing defense industry is boosting its global clout

Killer drones and multi-billion dollar deals: Turkey’s rapidly-growing defense industry is boosting its global clout PUBLISHED TUE, MAR 28 20232:58 AM EDT Turkey’s revenue from overseas defense exports rose by 42% between 2020 and 2021, with foreign contracts making up as much as 90% of revenue for some companies. More:Killer drones: Turkey's growing defense industry is boosting its global clout

Don't be fooled by election polls. Erdogan won't go down without a fight | Euronews

Don't be fooled by election polls. Erdogan won't go down without a fight COMMENTS Updated: 27/03/2023 - 19:24 By Hamdi Fırat Büyük, Journalist and analyst The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent in any way the editorial position of Euronews. It has been a long time since the citizens of Turkey awaited the high-stakes parliamentary and presidential elections with such bated breath. More:Don't be fooled by election polls. Erdogan won't go down without a fight | Euronews

Turkish opposition pledges to reverse Erdogan's economic policies - Nikkei Asia

Turkish opposition pledges to reverse Erdogan's economic policies Next administration will have to deal with high inflation, earthquake fallout March 28, 2023 15:31 JST IZMIR, Turkey -- Reviving Turkey's struggling economy is top of the agenda for opposition candidates keen to unseat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in pivotal elections in May. More:Turkish opposition pledges to reverse Erdogan's economic policies - Nikkei Asia

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Meet Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Turkey’s long-derided opposition head who could dethrone Erdogan - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East

Meet Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Turkey’s long-derided opposition head who could dethrone Erdogan The leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party, who will face off against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in presidential elections May 14, is a far more complex figure than meets the eye. More:Meet Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Turkey’s long-derided opposition head who could dethrone Erdogan - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East

Turkey's election — the Erdoğan vs Kılıçdaroğlu showdown

Turkey's election — the Erdoğan vs Kılıçdaroğlu showdown An anti-Erdogan protestor in London (Photo: Sushil Nash) By ÖZGÜR ÜNLÜHISARCIKLI ANKARA, 21. MAR, 12:57 LISTEN TO ARTICLE After months of drama and tension that reached a climax in the last week of February, Turkey's opposition has chosen Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), as their presidential candidate. More:Turkey's election — the Erdoğan vs Kılıçdaroğlu showdown

Germany's DW closure in Turkey sparks fears of pre-election media clampdown  - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East

Germany's DW closure in Turkey sparks fears of pre-election media clampdown  Deutsche Welle, which produces news in Turkish, will close its office next week after the government refused it permission to operate. More:Germany's DW closure in Turkey sparks fears of pre-election media clampdown  - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Turkey's election becomes a referendum on the response to an earthquake : NPR

Turkey's election becomes a referendum on the response to an earthquake By  Fatma Tanis Turkey's elections are in May, and the president wants another term. But people angry over the government's slow response to last month's earthquake disaster may influence the vote. More:Turkey's election becomes a referendum on the response to an earthquake : NPR

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

The Lion Tattoo on Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s Back and Turkey's Elections - Politics Today

The Lion Tattoo on Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s Back and Turkey's Elections TURKEYBY BELKIS KILICKAYA March 20, 2023 Kılıçdaroğlu appears to have persuaded his coalition partners that a lion with no head, tail, or ears can exist. More:The Lion Tattoo on Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s Back and Turkey's Elections - Politics Today

Kılıçdaroğlu: Beating Erdoğan is the easiest part, aim is building competitive country

Kılıçdaroğlu: Beating Erdoğan is the easiest part, aim is building competitive country Speaking from the kitchen of his house, the main opposition bloc’s presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said the opposition is united not only to beat President Erdoğan but mainly to build a competitive country. Kılıçdaroğlu said he will retire after restoring the country. More:Kılıçdaroğlu: Beating Erdoğan is the easiest part, aim is building competitive country

EU to send Turkey €1B for quake reconstruction – POLITICO

EU to send Turkey €1B for quake reconstruction ‘No one can fill the void left by those who lost their lives, yet together we can reconstruct and rebuild,’ Ursula von der Leyen says. More:EU to send Turkey €1B for quake reconstruction – POLITICO

Monday, March 20, 2023

Donors vow 7 bn euros for Turkey, Syria quake aid

Donors vow 7 bn euros for Turkey, Syria quake aid Brussels (AFP) – Donors on Monday pledged seven billion euros to help Turkey and Syria recover from last month's devastating earthquake, as Ankara set the bill for rebuilding at well over 10 times that figure. More:Donors vow 7 bn euros for Turkey, Syria quake aid

Sunday, March 19, 2023

Anti-immigration sentiment threatens to topple Erdogan ahead of Turkish elections

Anti-immigration sentiment threatens to topple Erdogan ahead of Turkish elections Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Erdogan's main challenger in the May election, is vowing to send Syrian refugees home as an economic crisis bites More:Anti-immigration sentiment threatens to topple Erdogan ahead of Turkish elections

Erdogan Turns to Jets to Boost Support in Turkey’s Election

Erdogan Turns to Jets to Boost Support in Turkey’s Election Selcan Hacaoglu Sun, March 19, 2023 at 1:37 PM EDT·3 min read (Bloomberg) -- Turkey unveiled a model of its first fighter jet this weekend, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended events celebrating the country’s military history and his own role in building up its defense industry. More:Erdogan Turns to Jets to Boost Support in Turkey’s Election

Saturday, March 18, 2023

How the Turkish hospitality industry rallied to aid earthquake victims | Salon.com

How the Turkish hospitality industry rallied to aid earthquake victims From chefs & writers to hotel owners & governmental efforts, the relief in Turkey and Syria was a communal effort More:How the Turkish hospitality industry rallied to aid earthquake victims | Salon.com

Friday, March 17, 2023

Turkey Elections: HDP Pro-Kurd Party to Back Main Erdogan Rival Kilicdaroglu - Bloomberg

Turkey’s Pro-Kurd Party to Back Main Erdogan Rival at Polls Turkey’s largest non-aligned political party is planning to throw its weight behind an opposition alliance trying to unseat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in elections in May, intensifying what’s become one of the biggest tests of his two decades in power. More:Turkey Elections: HDP Pro-Kurd Party to Back Main Erdogan Rival Kilicdaroglu - Bloomberg

Quake survivors’ outrage against Turkish government grows after deadly floods – Medya News

Quake survivors’ outrage against Turkish government grows after deadly floods The earthquake survivors hit by a second calamity expressed their anger and frustration after floods claim 15 lives in Turkey's southeastern Kurdish provinces. More:Quake survivors’ outrage against Turkish government grows after deadly floods – Medya News

'No Longer Safe' From Quakes: Fear Of 'Big One' Grips Istanbul | Barron's

'No Longer Safe' From Quakes: Fear Of 'Big One' Grips Istanbul By Remi BANET The helmet-topped engineer drove his pointy instrument into the concrete to test whether Durmus Uygun's building will crumble when the feared big quake finally strikes Istanbul. "I'm pretty confident but my children aren't convinced, so we're having this test done," said Uygun, who lives in one of the Turkish megalopolis's poorer and more densely packed neighbourhoods. More:'No Longer Safe' From Quakes: Fear Of 'Big One' Grips Istanbul | Barron's

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Turkey’s anti-Erdoğan opposition vows a reset on EU and NATO – POLITICO

Turkey’s anti-Erdoğan opposition vows a reset on EU and NATO Top opposition adviser also pledges the release of two top Erdoğan opponents: Selahattin Demirtaş and Osman Kavala. More:Turkey’s anti-Erdoğan opposition vows a reset on EU and NATO – POLITICO

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Turkey opinion poll tracker: Erdogan vs Kılıçdaroğlu | Euronews

Turkey opinion poll tracker: Erdogan vs Kılıçdaroğlu COMMENTS By euronews  with Reuters, AA  •  Updated: 14/03/2023 - 17:31 Amid heated election debates in Turkey, recent polls show that the opposition bloc made up of six parties is gaining ground against the current government. Turkish voters will cast their votes on May 14 to select their new president and the members of the parliament. More:Turkey opinion poll tracker: Erdogan vs Kılıçdaroğlu | Euronews

Turkey's Hatay kanafeh delicacy granted EU special status - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East

More: Turkey's Hatay kanafeh delicacy granted EU special status Turkey’s earthquake-hit multicultural Hatay province receives recognition for its renowned Mesopotamian dessert. More:Turkey's Hatay kanafeh delicacy granted EU special status - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East

Monday, March 13, 2023

Turkey's current account deficit widens to record level in January | Reuters

Turkey's current account deficit widens to record level in January Reuters People shop at an open market in Istanbul, Turkey, December 5, 2022. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya ISTANBUL, March 13 (Reuters) - Turkey's current account deficit widened to $9.85 billion in January, data from the central bank showed on Monday, the highest level in four decades of available data, driven by a soaring energy bill and gold imports. More:Turkey's current account deficit widens to record level in January | Reuters

Saturday, March 11, 2023

What President Erdogan's future may hold, after Turkey's devastating earthquakes : NPR

What President Erdogan's future may hold, after Turkey's devastating earthquakes March 11, 20235:17 PM ET Heard on All Things Considered Audio will be available later today. As Turkey's elections near, NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Soner Cagaptay, an expert on Turkish politics, about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan political fate after last month's deadly earthquakes More:What President Erdogan's future may hold, after Turkey's devastating earthquakes : NPR

Turkey’s southeast exodus after earthquake puts manufacturing at risk | KELO-AM

Turkey’s southeast exodus after earthquake puts manufacturing at risk By Syndicated Content Mar 10, 2023 | 2:44 AM By Susana Vera and Ceyda Caglayan ANTAKYA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Mehmet Alkan, a shoe-sole manufacturer in Turkey’s earthquake-hit south, doesn’t know what will become of his company after some of his 220 employees died and half fled, reflecting the difficult transformation ahead for industry in the region. More:Turkey’s southeast exodus after earthquake puts manufacturing at risk | KELO-AM

Turkey Blocks Sanctioned Goods to Russia

Turkey Blocks Sanctioned Goods to Russia Bloomberg Total Views: 4040 March 10, 2023 By Bloomberg News (Bloomberg) — Turkey abruptly stopped the transit of sanctioned goods to Russia this month as the European Union and the US pressure allies to support measures imposed over President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. More:Turkey Blocks Sanctioned Goods to Russia

France fire-fighters in awe of Turkiye hospitality – Middle East Monitor

France fire-fighters in awe of Turkiye hospitality March 10, 2023 at 3:03 pm | Published in: Europe & Russia, France, Lebanon, Middle East, News, Syria, Turkey Firefighters extinguish a fire erupted at the rubble of a factory after 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes hit multiple provinces of Turkiye [Gökhan Balcı / Anadolu Agency] March 10, 2023 at 3:03 pm Members of the French NGO International Emergency Fire-fighters (PUI) received a text message just as the first of two earthquakes jolted southern Turkiye on 6 February, Anadolu News Agency reports. More:France fire-fighters in awe of Turkiye hospitality – Middle East Monitor

Erdogan officially calls Turkish elections for May 14 | The Financial Express

Erdogan officially calls Turkish elections for May 14 FE ONLINE DESK Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan officially set Turkey's parliamentary and presidential elections for May 14, a month ahead of schedule, signing the decision in a ceremony shown live on television on Friday. More:Erdogan officially calls Turkish elections for May 14 | The Financial Express

Friday, March 10, 2023

Post-quake in Turkiye, many kids are orphaned and out of school

Post-quake in Turkiye, many kids are orphaned and out of school By Lyndsey KohMarch 10, 2023 Turkiye (MNN) — Around 4.6 million children lived in the 10 provinces of Turkiye that were hit by the earthquake. Civil society groups have been scrambling to connect orphans with verified family members — and keep them out of the hands of child traffickers. It’s been one month since the earthquake, and we still don’t know yet how many children were orphaned by the disaster. Sadly, due to the nature of an earthquake’s devastation, we do know many children lost their parents. More:Post-quake in Turkiye, many kids are orphaned and out of school

Kemal Kilicdaroglu: the man who would be Turkey's new president

Kemal Kilicdaroglu: the man who would be Turkey's new president The mild-mannered opposition leader has a strong chance of ending the reign of Recep Tayyip Erdogan but has only a few weeks to convince his sceptics More:Kemal Kilicdaroglu: the man who would be Turkey's new president

Thursday, March 09, 2023

Turkish Bonds: $2.25 Billion Raised in First Post-Quake Debt Sale - Bloomberg

Turkey Raises $2.25 Billion in First Post-Quake Debt Sale 2029 dollar bonds priced to yield 9.5%, Treasury says Turkey has so far raised $5 billion via bond sales this year Turkey borrowed $2.25 billion in its first international bond offering following last month’s devastating More:Turkish Bonds: $2.25 Billion Raised in First Post-Quake Debt Sale - Bloomberg

EBRD to invest 1.5 bln euros in Turkey's earthquake-hit regions | Reuters

EBRD to invest 1.5 bln euros in Turkey's earthquake-hit regions Reuters ANKARA, March 9 (Reuters) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on Thursday that it will invest up to 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in the next two years to support reconstruction and recovery in the Turkish regions hit by earthquakes last month. More:EBRD to invest 1.5 bln euros in Turkey's earthquake-hit regions | Reuters

Turkish earthquake survivors reconsider election loyalty to Erdogan | Reuters

Turkish earthquake survivors reconsider election loyalty to Erdogan By Can Sezer and Jonathan Spicer Nearly 30 interviews with survivors show shifting views A conservative Erdogan stronghold was devastated Anger at slow response, irritation at officials' comments Yet few say they would support opposition in May vote Govt appears confident rebuilding can consolidate support KAHRAMANMARAS, Turkey, March 8 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan could have relied on strong voter backing from Cigdemtepe and other villages and towns across southeast Turkey in the past, but a huge earthquake and a slow rescue response has made once loyal support more uncertain. More:Turkish earthquake survivors reconsider election loyalty to Erdogan | Reuters

Lira Could Rally If Turkish Opposition Beats Erdogan, Says Wells Fargo - Bloomberg

Wells Fargo Sees Sharp Lira Rally If Turkish Opposition Triumphs Over Erdogan Erdogan exit would bring more orthodox policy, economist says Status quo most likely election scenario, according to McKenna A person counts out Turkish lira banknotes.Photographer: Erhan Demirtas/Bloomberg ByTaylan Bilgic March 8, 2023 at 12:16 PM EST A victory for Turkey’s opposition parties in their bid to unseat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could trigger big gains for the lira by ushering in more orthodox monetary policy, according to a Wells Fargo & Co. economist. More:Lira Could Rally If Turkish Opposition Beats Erdogan, Says Wells Fargo - Bloomberg

Who is Erdogan challenger Kilicdaroglu? – DW – 03/08/2023

Who is Erdogan challenger Kilicdaroglu? Gulsen Solaker | Burak Ünveren 18 hours ago18 hours ago The Turkish opposition has nominated a candidate to run against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the election scheduled for May. More about presidential hopeful Kemal Kilicdaroglu. More:Who is Erdogan challenger Kilicdaroglu? – DW – 03/08/2023

Wednesday, March 08, 2023

Erdogan's 'polar opposite' wants to replace him as president of Turkey | CNN

Erdogan’s ‘polar opposite’ wants to replace him as president of Turkey By Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Updated 10:03 AM EST, Wed March 8, 2023 Turkey’s opposition on Monday announced Kemal Kilicdaroglu as the presidential candidate to run against two-decade ruler Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an upcoming election that could change the course of the country. More:Erdogan's 'polar opposite' wants to replace him as president of Turkey | CNN

Explainer: What's at stake in Turkey's upcoming elections? | Reuters

Explainer: What's at stake in Turkey's upcoming elections? Reuters March 7 (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan faces the biggest test of his 20-year rule in May elections that will decide not only who leads Turkey but how it is governed, where its economy is headed and what role it may play to ease conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East. More:Explainer: What's at stake in Turkey's upcoming elections? | Reuters

Tuesday, March 07, 2023

Turkey earthquake survivors search rubble for their gold savings | Reuters

Turkey earthquake survivors search rubble for their gold savings By Timour Azhari OSMANIYE, Turkey, March 7 - In the nearly-deserted centre of the southern Turkish city of Osmaniye, an elderly couple wait by the ruins of the three-story building where they lived, hoping their life savings might emerge from the debris when it is cleared. More:Turkey earthquake survivors search rubble for their gold savings | Reuters

Turkey's powerhouse drone industry is on the verge of another milestone: a stealthy unmanned fighter jet for its new aircraft carrier

Turkey's powerhouse drone industry is on the verge of another milestone: a stealthy unmanned fighter jet for its new aircraft carrier Benjamin Brimelow Mon, March 6, 2023 at 6:17 p.m. EST·5 min read Over the past decade, Turkish firms have become a major designers and manufacturers of drones. One firm, Baykar, is rapidly developing its newest and potentially most promising drone, the Kızılelma. More:Turkey's powerhouse drone industry is on the verge of another milestone: a stealthy unmanned fighter jet for its new aircraft carrier

Erdogan Owes Turkey’s Earthquake Victims an Explanation - Bloomberg

Erdogan Owes Turkey’s Quake Victims an Explanation The government should provide an honest accounting of its response to the disaster. One month since twin earthquakes devastated southeastern Turkey and parts of neighboring Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged the country will hold elections, as scheduled, on May 14. The announcement allays fears Erdogan might use the disaster as a pretext to postpone or cancel the vote. It doesn’t absolve him from providing an honest accounting of the government’s response. More:Erdogan Owes Turkey’s Earthquake Victims an Explanation - Bloomberg

Erdogan rival vows to 'end madness' at May election

Erdogan rival vows to 'end madness' at May election Istanbul (AFP) – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's newly anointed rival in May elections pledged Tuesday to "end this madness" and turn Turkey into a peaceful nation in which its various communities get along More:Erdogan rival vows to 'end madness' at May election

A month after the earthquake in Turkiye… Survivors driven to the streets ‘dead end’ | News Rebeat

A month after the earthquake in Turkiye… Survivors driven to the streets ‘dead end’ “At night, the fear of an earthquake strikes again. I can’t sleep because of the aftershocks all night.” On the 6th (local time), a month after the strong earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, Yoo Yusoi, a Turkish refugee, said this while wiping away tears. Yoo Su-soi, who lives in Samandag, Hatay Province, in southern Hatay, a major earthquake-stricken area, has been living in a tent for a month. On a street where even his electricity was cut off, Mr. Soi Yoo said that he lights an oil lantern every night and says, “It is scary when it gets dark. The earthquake scare is still too great,” he said. More:A month after the earthquake in Turkiye… Survivors driven to the streets ‘dead end’ | News Rebeat

Monday, March 06, 2023

Kemal Kilicdaroglu: Opposition picks 'Turkey's Gandhi' to challenge Erdogan in election - BBC News

Kemal Kilicdaroglu: Opposition picks 'Turkey's Gandhi' to challenge Erdogan in election Published BBC News Turkey's often divided opposition parties have come together to choose a single candidate to face President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May's election. Kemal Kilicdaroglu leads the main secular opposition party, the centre-left Republican People's Party (CHP). Polls suggest a tight race in a country highly polarised after two decades of Mr Erdogan's authoritarian rule. More:Kemal Kilicdaroglu: Opposition picks 'Turkey's Gandhi' to challenge Erdogan in election - BBC News

Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan Faces A New Challenge After Devastating Quakes

Turkey's Erdogan Faces A New Challenge After Devastating Quakes Turkey's bickering opposition leaders ended months of fierce debate Monday and agreed to name the head of the main secular party as their joint candidate against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May 14 polls. More:Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan Faces A New Challenge After Devastating Quakes

Saturday, March 04, 2023

Before fatal collapse, Turkish building had skirted code thanks to Erdogan policy

Before fatal collapse, Turkish building had skirted code thanks to Erdogan policy As focus in Turkey intensifies on how poor construction may have contributed to the devastation caused by the earthquake, the deadliest natural disaster in the country’s modern history, authorities have pledged to identify culprits More:Before fatal collapse, Turkish building had skirted code thanks to Erdogan policy

How Erdoğan Set the Stage for Turkey’s Disastrous Earthquake Response | The New Yorker

How Erdoğan Set the Stage for Turkey’s Disastrous Earthquake Response The authoritarian President has stuffed his government with corrupt and inexperienced loyalists. Can a kneecapped civil society fill the gap? More:How Erdoğan Set the Stage for Turkey’s Disastrous Earthquake Response | The New Yorker

Turkey's Erdogan Shows Why Strongmen Are Weak

Turkey’s Weak Strongman Western pundits often admire autocrats for getting things done. Turkey shows why they’re wrong. The old idea that autocracies are better than raucous democracies at getting things done found new life during the coronavirus pandemic. Many Western commentators argued that while democracies dithered and debated, autocracies were quick to respond and mobilize their resources. Sometimes that might be true—but only if you are the right kind of autocracy. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Turkey, it turned out, is not one of them. More:Turkey's Erdogan Shows Why Strongmen Are Weak

Thursday, March 02, 2023

‘The internet’s sewer’: why Turkey blocked its most popular social site | Turkey

‘The internet’s sewer’: why Turkey blocked its most popular social site Chaotic free speech on Ekşi Sözlük finally proved too much after devastating earthquakes hit country More:‘The internet’s sewer’: why Turkey blocked its most popular social site | Turkey | The Guardian