January 25, 2014

Tension at home hits Turkey's brand overseas

The harsh rhetoric of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan denouncing some groups as a “parallel state” following a corruption scandal that erupted a month ago has raised concerns among business associations and civil society organizations that Turkey's national brand will be tarnished abroad.

‘Parallel structure’ case to bring gov’t closer to authoritarianism

Increasing chatter in the Turkish capital indicating that the government may be launching a criminal lawsuit against what it called a “parallel structure” nested in the state is perhaps the latest sign that Turkey is heading quickly towards authoritarian rule under the stewardship of embattled Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

TUSKON says systematic campaign of defamation is under way

The Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists' (TUSKON) has criticized what it said a systematic campaign of defamation against the business conglomolarete, stressing that its business activities that help contribute to Turkish economy should only be welcomed.

Kimse Yok Mu continues to care for needy Pakistanis

Having distributed meat donations to some 1,000 families in Punjab, Pakistan, over the past week, Kimse Yok Mu Foundation also remembered to reach out to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa riddled with security problems. The foundation gave away sewing machines to 125 women, mainly widowed. The volunteers currently provide fabric backup and thus enable the families to make their living. The foundation will also offer 3-month-long sewing training on demand.

Reconciliation in history and cases of political reconciliation

Orhan Miroğlu

There are countless examples in history that illustrate that even the harshest political conflicts have been settled via reconciliation. Would it be a surprise if the growing tension and row between the Hizmet movement and the government is reconciled?

Erdoğan using hate speech against Gülen movement, says MEP

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's accusations against a faith-based movement led by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen amidst a corruption scandal are both uncalled for and amount to “a kind of hate speech” that has the risk of sparking violence against the group, a senior member of the European Parliament has said.

Gülen, Erdoğan’s new agenda item with the West

Sedat Ergin

Not but two months ago, sitting next to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan referred to Turkey’s EU membership bid as a “50-year-long experience,” and told Putin, “Take us to the Shanghai Five and save us from this hassle.”

24 businessmen sue Erdoğan over insulting remarks against Hizmet Movement

Twenty-four businessmen in İstanbul filed a libel suit against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his insulting remarks against the Hizmet Movement members.