Category Archives: Erdogan
Why the adoration for Erdoğan among the Turks abroad remain so rock solid?
”Let’s be brutal: democracy is dying. And the most startling thing is how few ordinary people are worried about it” wrote Paul Mason, an expert on social justice, in the Guardian. ”Instead we compartmentalise the problem. Americans worried about the … Continue reading
Defining human rights as his enemy, Erdoğan is now at a point of no return
Perhaps it is my fault. I can no longer understand the naivete – some would call it wishful thinking – of the people I know, that no matter how badly the current ruling factions of Turkey under the banner of … Continue reading
Turkey’s venomous entrenchment
”We are not meeting anymore over dinners” said a friend of mine lately, over telephone line: ‘There is no more any will to do so. Many of us realized that after a glass of Raki or so, we start dragging … Continue reading
Two former chief editors in prison, while Turkish justice is mocked by a manifesto
What the leader of the Turkey’s main opposition said on Monday would be enough to lead to an investigation in any ‘minimally democratic’ country. It would lead to the resignation of any minister of justice; even the entire government. Kemal … Continue reading
Turkey’s opposition marches for justice, as its media shakes hands with Erdoğan
”Knife’s hit the bone…” With these words, Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu started more than a week ago from Ankara his long ‘March for Justice’. 432 km and 20 days later, he hopes to conclude it in front of a … Continue reading
With the main opposition party gaping, Erdoğan launches ‘cultural revolution’
”The constitutional referendum and the authorities’ handling of the campaign that preceded it have reinforced concerns that Turkey is descending ever deeper not only into authoritarianism but into lawlessness. Indeed, the refusal to provide the referendum result with a patina … Continue reading
Has Turkey’s notorious ‘deep state’ come back with a vengeance?
”The return of Ergenekon as ultranationalists replace FETÖ” This was the headline of one of the most concise and interesting analysis I encountered lately. The column was penned by my esteemed colleague Barçın Yinanç, with Hurriyet Daily News (an outlet … Continue reading
Erdoğan’s ‘Global Legitimacy Tour’ to reach its successful finale in Brussels
President Erdoğan’s march on the road map, very clearly defined by him for long, proceeds with no hurdles. On Sunday, he was re-elected as party chairman after nearly 1000 days of absence, and, after gaining control in most of the … Continue reading
Referendum moment: Will Turkey say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to Erdoğan’s power grab?
That the race in Turkey’s existential referendum is neck and neck is in itself self-explanatory. A nation sharply divided by half, not simply in civilized disagreement, but turned against each other in mistrust, enmity, vengeance. A day before the country’s … Continue reading
Turkey: on the brink of a systemic suicide
If ‘holding your breath together’ would apply to large masses of concerned people, it is that rare moment. On Sunday some 55 million voters in Turkey will go to the ballotboxes in a referendum which will define the country’s identity, and … Continue reading