Semih İdiz
Turbulence in ties between Ankara and Washington is increasing because of developments in Turkey. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants the United States to extradite or, failing that, to at least deport Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based Turkish imam who was once one of his closest allies against Turkey’s secularist establishment, but has become his archenemy.
May 7, 2014
Erdoğan's image in the West
İhsan Yılmaz
For the last few months, I have been traveling in several countries, including Australia, Switzerland, Britain, Ireland, Denmark, Spain, the US, etc. Wherever I go, I meet with academics, diplomats, journalists, intellectuals and so on who closely follow what is going on in Turkey.
For the last few months, I have been traveling in several countries, including Australia, Switzerland, Britain, Ireland, Denmark, Spain, the US, etc. Wherever I go, I meet with academics, diplomats, journalists, intellectuals and so on who closely follow what is going on in Turkey.
‘Demonization of Gülen movement seen as attempt to cover up corruption probe'
This week's guest for Monday Talk is a person who knows both Turkish and European institutions well, and he says that Turkey is increasingly driving itself away from the EU's Copenhagen criteria concerning democracy and rule of law.
Tall tales of the Turkish government
Sevgi Akarçeşme
Embattled Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been long avoiding taking questions from journalists at home unless they are openly pro-government.
Embattled Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been long avoiding taking questions from journalists at home unless they are openly pro-government.
May 6, 2014
International community's Erdoğan problem
Bülent Keneş
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has returned to his agenda of political Islamism since the 2011 elections even though he had rejected it in the past, and he quickly set out to implement his plan to purge the Hizmet movement, a plan he had made long ago.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has returned to his agenda of political Islamism since the 2011 elections even though he had rejected it in the past, and he quickly set out to implement his plan to purge the Hizmet movement, a plan he had made long ago.
Mr. Minister, please look at yourself in the mirror
Ali H. Aslan
My life changed since I asked two critical questions at a conference held last week in Washington, D.C., with the participation of several pro-government journalists and experts from the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), a Turkish think tank with close ties to the government.
My life changed since I asked two critical questions at a conference held last week in Washington, D.C., with the participation of several pro-government journalists and experts from the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), a Turkish think tank with close ties to the government.
Ghana delegation explores business in Turkey
A fifteen Ghanaian business delegation is in Izmir, Turkey, to participate in an international business summit dubbed, "Turkey-Midwest Africa Trade Bridge."
Court accepts indictment against 9 officers in case seen as political witch hunt
A high criminal court in Adana has accepted an indictment against nine police officers who were arrested and later released in April as part of an investigation into claims of illegal wiretapping that is seen by many as a politically motivated witch hunt.
Kimse Yok Mu, Turkish schools extend help for flood victims in Afghanistan
International Charity organization Kimse Yok Mu and Turkish schools operating in Afghanistan delivered aid for 750 families who have been living in tents in the aftermath of a sweeping flood.
May 5, 2014
Bangladesh's Turkish school student becomes first in world math exam
Ragib Mostafa, a Turkish school student in Bangladesh, has become first in world math exam.
Central West Africa shows up for TUSKON event
Hundreds of businesspeople from countries in central West Africa traveled to Turkey to attend a trade event coordinated by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) in İzmir on Monday.
Hospitality conference draws strong participation in Bangkok
A two-day conference on hospitality in Anatolian and Asian cultures recently held in Bangkok saw lively engagement by 200 participants including scholars, community and religious leaders, NGO representatives, students, journalists and artists from 20 countries.
Parallel vs. Persian structure within the Turkish state
Ömer Yavuz*
The list of individuals that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has declared to be part of an alleged “parallel structure” keeps growing.
The list of individuals that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has declared to be part of an alleged “parallel structure” keeps growing.
Is it a parallel triangle or square?
Ekrem Dumanlı
The lies being told for months suggesting that there is a parallel state in Turkey have obscured the nation's vision. Does the pro-government media care? Unfortunately, no. They have bombarded Turkey with meaningless claims that there is a domestic enemy, and they also keep embarrassing Turkey abroad. They constantly make allegations without offering any evidence. This is a useless effort, because there is no such thing as a parallel state. Those who argue that there is one will face accusations against themselves in the future. I am not sure what they will be called then -- a parallel square, triangle or rectangle? The basis for geometric organizational titles is the subject of another article. I would like to discuss another matter today, so that we will have a better discussion in the future. It should be noted that the easiest part of using the state apparatus to fabricate a crime is the naming stage. It is not hard to find security bureaucrats or media professionals who have sold their souls to Satan to do the rest.
The lies being told for months suggesting that there is a parallel state in Turkey have obscured the nation's vision. Does the pro-government media care? Unfortunately, no. They have bombarded Turkey with meaningless claims that there is a domestic enemy, and they also keep embarrassing Turkey abroad. They constantly make allegations without offering any evidence. This is a useless effort, because there is no such thing as a parallel state. Those who argue that there is one will face accusations against themselves in the future. I am not sure what they will be called then -- a parallel square, triangle or rectangle? The basis for geometric organizational titles is the subject of another article. I would like to discuss another matter today, so that we will have a better discussion in the future. It should be noted that the easiest part of using the state apparatus to fabricate a crime is the naming stage. It is not hard to find security bureaucrats or media professionals who have sold their souls to Satan to do the rest.
Erdoğan weakens fight with Islamophobia
Abdullah Bozkurt
Increasingly hurtful and pointedly hateful discourse adopted by Turkey's chief political Islamist, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in the past couple of years has done a huge disservice in combating Islamophobia in the world today, dealing a blow to decades-long efforts done by organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in international forums.
Increasingly hurtful and pointedly hateful discourse adopted by Turkey's chief political Islamist, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in the past couple of years has done a huge disservice in combating Islamophobia in the world today, dealing a blow to decades-long efforts done by organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in international forums.
The state restores itself!
Ali Bulaç
The state restores itself periodically. The coups and military interventions of April 27, March 12, Sept. 12 and Feb. 28 were operations of this kind.
The state restores itself periodically. The coups and military interventions of April 27, March 12, Sept. 12 and Feb. 28 were operations of this kind.
Why Erdogan can't get along with Gulen
Mahir Zeynalov*
The reason you hear almost every day that Erdogan is yelling at his critics, particularly Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, is because the prime minister is playing nasty when it comes to politics. There is almost nothing that he won't resort to in order to extend the life of his throne and crush his opponents.
The reason you hear almost every day that Erdogan is yelling at his critics, particularly Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, is because the prime minister is playing nasty when it comes to politics. There is almost nothing that he won't resort to in order to extend the life of his throne and crush his opponents.
May 4, 2014
Reliable Environment: Gulen-inspired Schools
Cemil Genç
The Stanford Marshmallow Experiment was a series of studies on delayed gratification in the late 1960s and early 1970s led by psychologist Walter Mischel, then a professor at Stanford University. In these studies, a child at the age of 4 was offered a choice between one small reward (sometimes a marshmallow, but often a cookie or a pretzel, etc.) provided immediately or two small rewards if he or she waited until the tester returned (after an absence of approximately 15 minutes). In follow-up studies, the researchers found that children who were able to wait longer for the preferred rewards tended to have better life outcomes, as measured by SAT scores, educational attainment, body mass index (BMI) and other life measures. [1]
The Stanford Marshmallow Experiment was a series of studies on delayed gratification in the late 1960s and early 1970s led by psychologist Walter Mischel, then a professor at Stanford University. In these studies, a child at the age of 4 was offered a choice between one small reward (sometimes a marshmallow, but often a cookie or a pretzel, etc.) provided immediately or two small rewards if he or she waited until the tester returned (after an absence of approximately 15 minutes). In follow-up studies, the researchers found that children who were able to wait longer for the preferred rewards tended to have better life outcomes, as measured by SAT scores, educational attainment, body mass index (BMI) and other life measures. [1]
May 3, 2014
NY Times: Let Mr. Erdogan Fight His Own Battles
The New York Times, Editorial
Not long ago, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher in Pennsylvania, were the best of allies. Mr. Erdogan heads an Islamist government, and Mr. Gulen promotes a moderate, pro-Western brand of Sunni Islam that appeals to many well-educated and professional Turks. The two men had a common purpose in confronting and weakening the country’s once-dominant secular military and political leadership.
Not long ago, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher in Pennsylvania, were the best of allies. Mr. Erdogan heads an Islamist government, and Mr. Gulen promotes a moderate, pro-Western brand of Sunni Islam that appeals to many well-educated and professional Turks. The two men had a common purpose in confronting and weakening the country’s once-dominant secular military and political leadership.
NYT on Erdoğan's extradition request for Gülen: Crass, cynical attempt
The New York Times editorial board published an article titled 'Let Mr. Erdogan Fight His Own Battles' on Friday in which it defined Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's attempt to get the US to extradite Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen as “nothing more than a crass and cynical attempt to exploit the law, and Turkey’s alliance with the United States, for political payback.”
Desmond Tutu commends Gulen inspired organization
Award recipient of the Fethullah Gulen Peace Award at the 7th Annual Ubuntu Lecture, Peace and Dialogue Awards Ceremony, Desmond Tutu, praised the work done by Turquoise Harmony Institute.
Kimse Yok Mu and Tuna Foundation lifting up Romanian orphans’ spirit
Fethullah Gulen's Dialogue
M. Hakan Yavuz*
Gulen’s interfaith dialogue is based on his understanding of human beings and human identity. What it means to be human (insan) and live a human life is determined in large part by our religious identities. These identities are formed and expanded as a result of encounters with other traditions and in relation to God. The latter relationship unifies us with other traditions. The former relationship involves encounters with other traditions and this encounter helps us to mold our self-identity. There is always a spiritual “home” (ie, an internalized tradition) that helps us to go out and interact with others and return having been enriched. We are not the same when we come back home.” In other words, through reading a text and conversing with others, we transform our understanding and enrich our own tradition. In fact, Gulen insists on the authenticity of each tradition and calls upon his followers to respect each tradition as it is and invite people to study theirs in order to appreciate the difference and to realize their human potential. Dialogue, for Gulen, becomes essential for identity formation and self-enrichment. Dialogue should focus on our particular understandings and situated stories of God. Gulen has a dynamic sense of transcendence: it is simultaneously particular and universal.
Gulen’s interfaith dialogue is based on his understanding of human beings and human identity. What it means to be human (insan) and live a human life is determined in large part by our religious identities. These identities are formed and expanded as a result of encounters with other traditions and in relation to God. The latter relationship unifies us with other traditions. The former relationship involves encounters with other traditions and this encounter helps us to mold our self-identity. There is always a spiritual “home” (ie, an internalized tradition) that helps us to go out and interact with others and return having been enriched. We are not the same when we come back home.” In other words, through reading a text and conversing with others, we transform our understanding and enrich our own tradition. In fact, Gulen insists on the authenticity of each tradition and calls upon his followers to respect each tradition as it is and invite people to study theirs in order to appreciate the difference and to realize their human potential. Dialogue, for Gulen, becomes essential for identity formation and self-enrichment. Dialogue should focus on our particular understandings and situated stories of God. Gulen has a dynamic sense of transcendence: it is simultaneously particular and universal.
May 2, 2014
Debunking Erdoğan's smear campaign against Gülen
Abdullah Bozkurt
Acting as prosecutor, judge and executioner, Turkey's chief political Islamist, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has already convicted a well-respected Islamic scholar, Fethullah Gülen, of what he called a civilian coup attempt, a fabricated charge devised by Erdoğan to discredit the vast graft scandal that incriminates him and his associates, including his family members. The beleaguered Prime Minister Erdoğan has publicly declared Gülen -- who is critical of the corruption and the lack of transparency and accountability in Erdoğan's government -- as his enemy number one without presenting a single shred of evidence to prove Gülen's involvement in clandestine activities against the Turkish government, including orchestrating the graft probe.
Acting as prosecutor, judge and executioner, Turkey's chief political Islamist, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has already convicted a well-respected Islamic scholar, Fethullah Gülen, of what he called a civilian coup attempt, a fabricated charge devised by Erdoğan to discredit the vast graft scandal that incriminates him and his associates, including his family members. The beleaguered Prime Minister Erdoğan has publicly declared Gülen -- who is critical of the corruption and the lack of transparency and accountability in Erdoğan's government -- as his enemy number one without presenting a single shred of evidence to prove Gülen's involvement in clandestine activities against the Turkish government, including orchestrating the graft probe.
In Turkey, how Germany’s president became ‘Germany's imam’
Mustafa Akyol
On April 28–29, German President Joachim Gauck paid an official visit to Turkey that became more controversial than expected. The reason is that Gauck, who followed the usual diplomatic routines, criticized the Turkish government on four sensitive issues: its recent bans on social media, tensions with the Constitutional Court, interference with the judiciary and pressure on the media. In response, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Gauck, accusing him of "telling lies." He also criticized him for allegedly "supporting Turkish atheists in Germany" and acting like "he is still a pastor," leaving the connection between atheism and pastorhood murky.
On April 28–29, German President Joachim Gauck paid an official visit to Turkey that became more controversial than expected. The reason is that Gauck, who followed the usual diplomatic routines, criticized the Turkish government on four sensitive issues: its recent bans on social media, tensions with the Constitutional Court, interference with the judiciary and pressure on the media. In response, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Gauck, accusing him of "telling lies." He also criticized him for allegedly "supporting Turkish atheists in Germany" and acting like "he is still a pastor," leaving the connection between atheism and pastorhood murky.
Kimse Yok Mu offers a hand of compassion to Kyrgyz orphans
Dedicated to the fight poverty and destitution in 110 countries across the world, Kimse Yok Mu Foundation (KYM) has recently signed a protocol of assistance to the orphan with the Kyrgyz Foundation of Education. Under the terms of the protocol, KYM will make a donation of 2,280,000 dollars to Kyrgyz orphans.
No perpetrators found but ‘parallel structure' behind wiretappings, PM argues
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan asserted on Friday that the ‘parallel structure' is behind the illegal wiretapping of a meeting of high-ranking officials in the Foreign Ministry building, despite the fact that no suspects have been identified in relation to the recording that was leaked in March.
CHP Leader: Erdogan portrays Gulen Movement as enemy
Upon a question about a probe opened against Islamic scholar
Fethullah Gülen, who is in self-exile in the U.S., Kılıçdaroğlu said if
there is any structure that damages the state, it should be tried before
the court. However, Kılıçdaroğlu also stated that the rift between the
Gülen movement and government is mainly caused by the fact that Erdoğan
is attempting to create an enemy because “dictators tend to create
enemies.” He also said it is ridiculous for Erdoğan to say that the
Gülen movement has ruled the country for 12 years.
News excerpt from Hurriyet Daily News, 02 May 2014, Friday
News excerpt from Hurriyet Daily News, 02 May 2014, Friday
May 1, 2014
Archbishop Tutu receives Fethullah Gülen peace award
South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was awarded the Fethullah Gülen Peace and Dialogue Award during the seventh annual Ubuntu Lecture and Dialogue Awards ceremony held in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.
Turkish Extradition Request Could Strain Relations With US
ISTANBUL — The news that Turkey will officially request that the United States extradite Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen is threatening to strain U.S.-Turkish relations. Ankara insists Gulen is behind a conspiracy to overthrow the government. But analysts warn that Ankara may find it difficult legally to secure his extradition.
Turkish PM's Politically-motivated Crackdown on Law-abiding Citizens, including Mr. Fethullah Gulen, Undermine Democracy
Alliance for Shared Values, Press Statement
NEW YORK, April 29, 2014 - We continue to be deeply disturbed by Prime Minister Erdogan's politically-motivated attempts to crackdown on law-abiding citizens who have done nothing but exercise their right to democratic dissent.
NEW YORK, April 29, 2014 - We continue to be deeply disturbed by Prime Minister Erdogan's politically-motivated attempts to crackdown on law-abiding citizens who have done nothing but exercise their right to democratic dissent.
Courts order corrections to gov't media stories on Hizmet
Several courts have ruled against untruthful stories published or broadcast by media institutions close to the government about the Hizmet movement, which Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused of trying to undermine his government, but most newspapers and stations have not published the corrections as they should according to the rulings.
Black propaganda websites granted legal shield
In a move that has been interpreted as providing legal protection to black propaganda websites, a public prosecutor in İstanbul speedily ruled that there was a lack of grounds for legal action to be taken concerning criminal complaints filed against websites that have been employing highly offensive, libelous and accusatory language to target journalists who are critical of the government, Today's Zaman has learned.
US avoids commenting on Gülen's extradition
US State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters at a press briefing on Wednesday that the US will not comment on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's expectation for Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen to be extradited from the US, where he now lives.
Turkish opposition: Enquiry against Gülen politically motivated
Turkey's opposition parties across the political spectrum criticized reports that a criminal investigation was launched against Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, saying that the allegations are a political tactic by embattled Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to distract public interest away from a big graft scandal that has implicated himself, his family members and his senior government officials.
Erdoğan's scapegoats: the West and Gülen
İhsan Yılmaz
Last week I wrote that Erdoğan has a “Hobbesian-Machiavellian” state mentality and does not seem to be bound by any natural law, universal standards, human rights, international obligations, ethics or morality.
Last week I wrote that Erdoğan has a “Hobbesian-Machiavellian” state mentality and does not seem to be bound by any natural law, universal standards, human rights, international obligations, ethics or morality.
Kimse Yok Mu providing assistance to Ebola victims in Guinea
Turkish aid organization Kimse Yok Mu has been supplying medical aid to Guinea since March, when the lethal Ebola virus struck the West African country, claiming 122 lives to date.
No investigation into Islamic scholar Gülen
While government newspapers and TV stations join a chorus saying that a criminal investigation has been launched into US-based Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen over allegations of “staging a coup” against the state, sources close to the judiciary deny any probe.
Latin American firms seek Turkey investments at TUSKON meet
A total of 80 businesspeople from 10 Latin American countries met in Turkey's Kayseri province on Tuesday to discuss investment and trade opportunities with local counterparts in a new “trade bridge” event held by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON).
TUSKON denies mass resignations after corruption probe
Turkey's leading business conglomerate has denied reports of mass resignations following a recent corruption scandal, vowing to sue pro-government Yeni Şafak for fabricating false information.
April 30, 2014
Dialogue advocacy group 'disturbed' by Erdoğan's harassment of Hizmet
The Alliance for Shared Values, an advocacy body that serves as a voice for organizations affiliated with the Hizmet movement in the US, has said it is "deeply disturbed" by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's what it said "politically motivated attempts" to crack down on law-abiding citizens.
Gülen's lawyer denies client facing arrest warrant or extradition
Nurullah Albayrak, lawyer for Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, has said that there is no criminal investigation, pending prosecution or any other judicial process ongoing in Turkey related to his client, refuting claims raised once again by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan about Gülen's possible extradition from the US, where he now lives.
Gülen’s German collaborator, or the German slap?
Burak Bekdil
“The common mission of all constitutional courts across the world is to protect and ensure human dignity, without discriminating against anyone on the basis of race, color, religion or faith. Protecting this value is fundamentally the primary task of the legislative and the executive, while the judiciary is the last instance that can repair human rights violations.
“The common mission of all constitutional courts across the world is to protect and ensure human dignity, without discriminating against anyone on the basis of race, color, religion or faith. Protecting this value is fundamentally the primary task of the legislative and the executive, while the judiciary is the last instance that can repair human rights violations.
April 29, 2014
Proof of the 'parallel state'
Mümtazer Türköne
The prime minister's case is similar to that of the "Boy who cried wolf." It is the famous Aesop's fable about a boy who deceived villagers a few times but lost his credibility after his lies were discovered. Thus, in the face of a real threat, he was unable to make anyone believe him. Before large crowds of people, the prime minister made big claims. He said he would back up his claims shortly but still cannot prove them after a long time.
The prime minister's case is similar to that of the "Boy who cried wolf." It is the famous Aesop's fable about a boy who deceived villagers a few times but lost his credibility after his lies were discovered. Thus, in the face of a real threat, he was unable to make anyone believe him. Before large crowds of people, the prime minister made big claims. He said he would back up his claims shortly but still cannot prove them after a long time.
Pro-gov't AHaber labels German president Hizmet's imam
AHaber Tv, one of the government's several media outlets, labeled German President Joachim Gauck the Hizmet movement's imam in an article published on Tuesday.
Clash of the Anatolian tigers
Pinar Tremblay*
In the post-election climate, fears of the Gulen movement seem validated as we observe a gradual, yet drastic shift in the Turkish business alignment map. On April 23, the Capital Markets Board stopped Bank Asia from issuing sukuk (Islamic finance certificate bond) debt. Bloomberg reported on April 26, "The Turkish lender in partnership talks with Qatar Islamic Bank must ask the regulator for permission to issue further sukuk under a 1.25 billion lira ($587 million) debt program.” Asia Bank, the lender, is a member of TUSKON, the Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey, known for its close association with the Gulen movement.
In the post-election climate, fears of the Gulen movement seem validated as we observe a gradual, yet drastic shift in the Turkish business alignment map. On April 23, the Capital Markets Board stopped Bank Asia from issuing sukuk (Islamic finance certificate bond) debt. Bloomberg reported on April 26, "The Turkish lender in partnership talks with Qatar Islamic Bank must ask the regulator for permission to issue further sukuk under a 1.25 billion lira ($587 million) debt program.” Asia Bank, the lender, is a member of TUSKON, the Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey, known for its close association with the Gulen movement.
‘Parallel’ fear changes capital market body’s name
A vast operation launched against supporters of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has caused a capital market association to change its English abbreviation out of fear of being associated with Gülen’s Cemaat (Community).
April 28, 2014
Russia selects finalists for 12th Turkish Olympiad
The elimination round of the Turkish Olympiad in Russia has been held in a prestigious concert hall where around 300 students showed their skills in the categories of poem recitation, singing, reading and writing.
Turkey's tryst with democracy (2)
Anwar Alam*
The non-emergence of democracy as national value also lies in the ways the Turkish elite imagined (historically speaking) the success of Europe and sought to construct or reform its polity.
The non-emergence of democracy as national value also lies in the ways the Turkish elite imagined (historically speaking) the success of Europe and sought to construct or reform its polity.
Tape politics
Ekrem Dumanlı
There are frequent claims that there is a secret recording of someone and that this recording is being used by the so-called parallel structure. And these are made publicly. Previously, similar remarks were made about some politicians, media bosses and even the president. The argument was that there were recordings of these figures and that these tapes were being kept secretly.
There are frequent claims that there is a secret recording of someone and that this recording is being used by the so-called parallel structure. And these are made publicly. Previously, similar remarks were made about some politicians, media bosses and even the president. The argument was that there were recordings of these figures and that these tapes were being kept secretly.
The fall of democracy and predicament of political Islam in Turkey
Begüm Burak
The Feb. 28 process in 1997, which has been defined as a “post-modern coup” in the history of Turkish politics, opened a brand new chapter for both the internal and external affairs of the Turkish state. The birth of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in the aftermath of the 1997 coup and the argument of founder of the party Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that the AK Party cadre does not wear the shirt of political Islam anymore have changed Turkish politics in a radical way.
The Feb. 28 process in 1997, which has been defined as a “post-modern coup” in the history of Turkish politics, opened a brand new chapter for both the internal and external affairs of the Turkish state. The birth of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in the aftermath of the 1997 coup and the argument of founder of the party Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that the AK Party cadre does not wear the shirt of political Islam anymore have changed Turkish politics in a radical way.
Police officer reassigned for attending dershane picnic
The Interior Ministry has reassigned police officer H.D., who worked at the National Police Department's Anti-terrorism Unit in Ankara, on the grounds that he and his child attended a picnic organized by a dershane (private preparatory school) affiliated with the faith-based Hizmet movement.
April 27, 2014
Turkey's tryst with democracy (1)
Anwar Alam*
Turkey's tryst and predicament with political modernity, which started with the Tanzimat (Reformation) Era of 1839-1876 and developed more vigorously in the form of the Kemalist revolution in the early 1920s, continue to be illusory, notwithstanding substantial progress that has been made.
Turkey's tryst and predicament with political modernity, which started with the Tanzimat (Reformation) Era of 1839-1876 and developed more vigorously in the form of the Kemalist revolution in the early 1920s, continue to be illusory, notwithstanding substantial progress that has been made.
The story of the government media's smear campaign against Hizmet
The pro-government media have been the main actors in ongoing efforts to cover up graft allegations against the government by turning the Hizmet movement and civil servants trying to do their jobs into a target.
Alienating Turkey
Orhan Oğuz Gürbüz
Turkey was expecting steps towards normalization in society following the mayoral elections. However, it seems that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government has decided to escalate tension in the run-up to the presidential election scheduled to take place in August.
Turkey was expecting steps towards normalization in society following the mayoral elections. However, it seems that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government has decided to escalate tension in the run-up to the presidential election scheduled to take place in August.
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