Latest Articles about Turkey
Will the AKP’s Foreign and Economic Policies Help in Local Elections?
Following his controversial remarks about Israel's policies in Gaza made at the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has refocused his attention on domestic politics. The municipal elections on March 29 are expected to be a major test of... MORE
Yet Another Crisis in Turkey-Israel Relations
In an earlier EDM analysis it was observed that since Israel’s Gaza offensive began, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s harsh criticism of the operation has made him the champion of the man in the street in the Muslim world (see, EDM, January 7, 15).... MORE
Turkey and the IMF Take a Break to Review Remaining Disagreements
After 18 days of intense negotiations on a new financial package, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission failed to reach an agreement with Turkey and left Ankara on Tuesday. Mehmet Simsek, the minister of state responsible for the economy, told reporters on Monday that the... MORE
The Ergenekon Investigation May Reveal JITEM’s Dirty Past
The investigation of the neo-nationalist criminal Ergenekon network involving military and police officers, politicians, media members, labor union leaders, and political strategists is continuing. In the 11th wave of arrests, on January 22, 40 people were detained including 10 police officers, nine active duty military... MORE
Is Ankara Promoting Zaza Nationalism to Divide the Kurds?
Until recently, speakers of the Zaza language within Turkey have been considered part of the vast Kurdish ethnic group spread over Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. In the 1980s, the creation of a Latin alphabet suitable for Zaza-language publishing created a renewal in Zaza literature... MORE
Can the “Gaza damage” to Turkish-Israeli Relations be reversed?
During Israel’s incursion into Gaza, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan harshly criticized the operations. His condemnation received the applause of a majority of people in the Muslim world; but it has created concern about the Jewish communities in Turkey (see EDM, January 7, January... MORE
Is the Russian-Led Consortium Trying to Overcharge Turkey for Its First Nuclear Power Plant?
Turkey is continuing to debate the construction of its first nuclear power plant in Akkuyu, Mersin. After the tender was launched in March 2008, 13 foreign and local companies purchased documents. All but one, however, failed to submit an offer, because they did not have... MORE
Israeli-Turkish Relations Put to the Test
How much Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan damaged Israeli-Turkish relations with his harsh criticism of Israel for its three-week assault Gaza will probably become apparent in the coming weeks or months. Erdogan’s foreign policy advisor, Ahmet Davutoglu, told a group of journalists in Istanbul... MORE
Turkey Retracts Warning to Nabucco and the EU
On January 19 in Brussels, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to “reconsider” his country’s participation in the Nabucco gas transit pipeline project unless the European Union promptly opened negotiations on the energy chapter in Turkey’s EU accession process (see EDM, January 20). The... MORE
Turkey Addresses PKK Challenge after Iraq Reaches Status of Forces Agreement with United States
The U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) came into force on January 1, creating a new environment for future Turkish air strikes on the PKK camps based in northern Iraq. The SOFA agreement makes it clear that “Iraqi land, sea, and air shall not be... MORE