December 3, 2013

Behind the secret documents

Tuğba Aydın

A story which was published by Taraf daily on Monday has shaken the country.

Turkey's 'black box' must be opened

Yavuz Baydar

At this stage in time, the way major events are shaped in this country is simply maddening.

Arbitrary rule in Turkey

Abdullah Bozkurt

On Nov. 18, in a Cabinet meeting that lasted more than seven hours, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan discussed the ban on private prep schools with his ministers for almost four hours.

Deputy PM threatens Taraf, Baransu for covering controversial MGK docs

Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç on Monday called on prosecutors to take legal action against the Taraf daily and journalist Mehmet Baransu, who last week revealed a controversial National Security Council (MGK) document indicating that Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) signed on to a planned crackdown on the Hizmet (Gülen) movement in 2004.

Unexpected consequences

Doğu Ergil

The hottest debate in Turkey today is about the abolishment or, officially, the “transformation” of the private university prep schools.

Gov't profiling of individuals found unacceptable, unlawful

Human rights advocates and legal experts have voiced their uneasiness about claims suggesting that the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) has profiled individuals whom it believes to be followers of certain religious and faith-based groups, describing the practice as being illegitimate and a violation of human rights.

Too Good to Be True

Emre Çelik

When was the last time you heard that?

I've heard it a few times -- here's the story.

Ignoring public opposition, gov’t insists on closing prep schools

The Turkish deputy prime minister has said the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) will stick to its earlier plan to transform prep schools, known as dershanes, into private schools, and that it is preparing to submit its proposal to Parliament in January, despite strong public opposition.

AK Party vs. Cemaat?

Ali Ünal

Of the many seemingly true claims that have been put forward in regards to the discussions that have come about surrounding the Turkish government’s attempt to close down exam prep-courses, some arguments bear good intentions while others call the Hizmet Movement to “keep quiet” with arguments that lie far from the truth.

Governor asks Turkish organization to focus on Balochistan

The Governor of Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai has asked a Turkish organization to pay special attention to promotion of education in the province of Balochistan. Provision of quality education in the far-flung areas of the underdeveloped province will help people come out of poverty in short span which will settle many issues, he said.

Turkish school leaves tight quarters for spacious former Wayne corporate building

WAYNE — Colorful desks and chairs fill the rooms, and lockers line the walls, but the campus of the ambitious Turkish school that moved to Wayne this year still looks a lot like the corporate offices it once was.