Yavuz Baydar
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Monthly Archives: February 2013
Merkel’s visit marks a turn in Turkish-German frost
As the crisis shows signs of further deepening with the new uncertainties in the wake of Italian ‘non-elections’, Germany is more under strain to keep the EU intact. Berlin has to deal not only with the growing anti-unionism in the … Continue reading
Time to stop engineering religion
Democrats and reformists from all camps in this country may have been united in expecting a fully democratic constitution for Turkey, but each and every one has his/her own focal point and red line about it. While legitimate concerns are … Continue reading
THY: to protect a powerful brand
About Turkish Airlines, there are always interesting stories to tell. It was a scene I have witnessed more than once. The first one was on a flight between the Bosporus and the Dardanelles, namely İstanbul and Çanakkale. The second between … Continue reading
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CHP’s foxes strike back, setting the scene for trouble
All the variables are now at play. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) is determined to keep its feet on the gas pedal, pushing the “solution process” further. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan seems to have loosened up with … Continue reading
Will Erdoğan also hold hands in Uludere?
Are Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s series of moves — re-launching talks with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), critiquing the legal system, the fourth judicial reform package, extending an olive branch to the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) on … Continue reading
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My address on the constitutional process – in Abant Conference
As a bi-product of the massive military coup, the current constitution was constructed, and imposed under emergency conditions, on the helpless people of Turkey. It was designed as a lid on a pot, to suppress all that has had to … Continue reading
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Erdoğan’s (new) way
United States Ambassador to Turkey Francis J. Ricciardone probably knew that his unusually bitter remarks regarding the state of the rule of law in Turkey would lead to a reaction from Ankara. During a visit to the Turkish Foreign Ministry … Continue reading
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