Emrullah Uslu
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Articles by Emrullah Uslu
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s Visit to Washington and Its Impact on Syrian Crisis
On May 16, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Washington with four issues on his agenda: the crisis in Syria; the future of Turkish-Israeli relations; Turkish-Iraqi relations, in which
Toward a Historical Peace Between Turks and Kurds?
Since March 21, new year’s day or “Newroz” for Kurds and Central Asian nations, Turkey has been witnessing a historical transformation in its decades’ old Kurdish question. On this day,
Turkey-EU Relations: A New Beginning?
In the last two and a half years, Turkey’s progress toward European Union membership has been frozen. After successfully closing one of the 35 “chapters” in the EU accession process,
Turkey Debates SCO as an Alternative to the EU
Turkey–European Union relations were frozen while Cyprus held the rotating EU presidency during the second half of 2012. In those six months, no progress was made in Turkey’s European integration,
Turkey in Game of Chicken with Syria
Turkey-Syria relations have entered a new stage after Syrian forces shot down a Turkish F-4 fighter jet on June 22 in international waters over the Mediterranean Sea. Syria claimed that
Once Feared Kurdish Hizbullah Making Transition to Politics in Turkey
Kurdish Hizbullah, a violent Islamist movement that is known for its violent clashes against the Partiya Karkeren Kurdistanhas finally made a much anticipated announcement that it will establish a political
Turkey Revises Its Policy Toward Syria
Since the start of the crisis, Turkey has been one of the most vocal critics of Syria. In February, the international community introduced the Annan Plan to bring the Syrian
Turkey’s Expectations and Gains at the NATO Summit in Chicago
A two-day NATO Summit in Chicago was concluded on May 21. Turkey considered the summit as an opportunity to pursue three major issues: highlight the crisis in Syria, negotiate with
How Kurdish PKK Militants Are Exploiting the Crisis in Syria to Achieve Regional Autonomy
Turkish-Syrian relations have been always problematic. Dating back to the Cold War, Syria’s support for the Kurdish militants of the Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan (PKK) was a major obstacle to efforts
PKK Intensifies Violence to Bring Turkey into Confrontation with the European Union
Since the Turkish Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkinma Partisi - AKP) determined to address the Kurdish question through what is called the “democratic initiative,” there has been hope
Resolution of Turkey’s “Kurdish Question” in Critical Stage as PKK Threatens to End Peace Initiatives
Last October, eight unarmed Kurdish militants and 28 Kurdish civilians returned to southeast Turkey from bases of the Parti Karkerani Kurdistan (Kurdistan Workers’ Party - PKK) in northern Iraq. It
PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan Challenges Omission from Peace Initiative from His Prison Cell
Turkey has been busy debating the recent initiative of the Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkinma Partisi - AKP) to end the long conflict between Turkish security forces and
Turkish Navy’s Fight Against Piracy in the Gulf of Aden Serves Foreign Policy Goals
In February, the Turkish Parliament approved a government motion allowing Ankara to deploy Turkish naval forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri) as part of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151), an international anti-piracy
The DTP Jeopardizes the Kurdish Initiative
Since June, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government’s Kurdish initiative has stimulated debate on how to address the Kurdish question. After months of such debates on the issue the
Erdogan’s Visit to Tehran Raises Questions over Turkish Foreign Policy
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two day official visit to Iran gained the attention of world leaders, because soon after his visit to Tehran he was scheduled to visit
Turkish Chief of the General Staff Struggles to Pacify Military Coup Controversy
On June 12, the liberal left Taraf daily published an unclassified document outlining an alleged action plan for the military to combat the “reactionary activities” against secularism. Allegedly the “Action
E.U. Comments on Ankara’s Policy in the South Caucasus
The European Commission has released its “2009 Progress Report” and “Enlargement Strategy Paper” in which it assessed developments in Turkey. The strategy paper stressed Ankara’s role in contributing to the
Turkish-PKK Peace Settlement Draws Nearer
Since the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government first revealed its Kurdish initiative in cooperation with the other state institutions, including the military and the National Intelligence Service (MIT), many
Turkey Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreements with Syria and Iraq
As Turkish-Israeli relations reveal fresh signs of tension, Ankara appears to be moving closer to its two Arab neighbors, Syria and Iraq. On October 13, the first ministerial meeting of
Turkish-Armenia Protocols Create Concern over Karabakh
Turkey and Armenia signed twin protocols on October 10 that were in preparation since February of this year (EDM, February 10, March 27, April 9, May 14, May 18, October
Turkish Political Actors Reassess Their Stance on the Kurdish Initiative
Since the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s announcement in August concerning the implementation of measures to resolve the Kurdish question, the debate over the government’s Kurdish initiative has intensified
Turkish Opposition to the IMF Appears Ideological
The IMF and World Bank annual summit in Istanbul have ended after seven days of meetings and seminars. During the meetings the policy-steering International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), asked
Ankara and Yerevan Prepare for the Signing of Historic Protocols
As Turkey and Armenia enter the last phase of their normalization process which has intensified since February, both parties are actively preparing to welcome each other. In late September, the
Ankara Reacts Positively to Papandreou’s Stance on Cyprus
The recent election in Greece resulted in a convincing victory for George Papandreou’s Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). Despite the fact that Turkish-Greek relations were not a major issue during the
Turkey Considers the Status of Abkhazia
In response to a question as to whether Ankara and Moscow have reached a deal to recognize Abkhazia and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey
IMF-World Bank Summit Opens in Istanbul
Istanbul is hosting the annual International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) summit on October 2-7. It is expected that around 15,000 delegates including the finance ministers from the
Are China’s Uyghurs Operating an al-Qaeda Network in Turkey? Ankara and Beijing Discuss Cooperation Against Terrorism
Turkish State Minister Zafer Caglayan paid an official visit to China and met Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao as a special envoy of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on
Turkey Pursues an Intermediary Role Between Iran and the West
Ankara will intensify its diplomatic efforts this month in order to extend Turkey's foreign policy preferences into regions that it considers as its primary interest zone. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Turkish Military Supports the Government’s Kurdish Initiative
As Turkey has recently concentrated on the debate over whether the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Kurdish initiative to end the long running campaign of violence, the two key actors
Erdogan Considers Domestic Impact of U.S.-Turkish Relations
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel this week to the U.S. to attend the 64th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York and
Cyprus Peace Talks Intensify
The troubled peace talks have resumed in Cyprus after Greek Cypriot officials boycotted them in the first week of September. As the second part of the negotiations began, the Turkish
AKP Government’s Conflict with Media Group Escalates
Turkish tax authorities have imposed a record tax fine, totaling 3.755 billion Turkish Liras ($2.5 billion), against the Dogan Media Group, (DMG), Turkey's largest media group and the publisher of
PKK Attacks Kill Soldiers and Damage the Kurdish Initiative
As the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government has been working on a comprehensive plan to resolve the Kurdish issue, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has broken its self-declared
Kurdish Debate Dominates Turkish Politics
Since Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed that his government is working on a plan to address the Kurdish question, the debate has dominated Turkish politics. It is uncommon for
Ankara Explores Turkish-Russian Consortium to Construct Nuclear Power Plant
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's August 6 visit to Ankara for talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan secured some twenty agreements covering energy, trade and other fields. Consequently,
Sino-Turkish Relations Normalize
During the violent ethnic clashes between the Turkic Uyghurs and Han Chinese, in China's northwestern province of Xinjiang on July 5-6, Sino-Turkish relations soured as a result of Turkish public
AKP’s Kurdish Initiative Sparks Political Controversy in Turkey
Since Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed that his government is preparing a plan to address the Kurdish question, the domestic Turkish political debate has focused on whether peace between
Coup Debate Resurfaces in Turkey Following the Third Ergenekon Indictment
The prosecutors investigating the Ergenekon criminal network that allegedly aimed at overthrowing the Turkish government by organizing a military coup, has finalized the third indictment, consisting of 1,454 pages and
Imprisoned PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan Preparing a Roadmap to Peace in Turkey’s Ethnic-Kurdish Insurgency
Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan – PKK), plans to release a “roadmap” of PKK conditions for laying down arms in the ongoing,
Energy Issues Complicate Turkish-Russian Relations
On August 6 the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will visit Ankara. As a part of the continued bilateral dialogue Putin will meet his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to
Judicial Opposition Criticizes the AKP Government
The long standing dispute between Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the judiciary has once again resurfaced in recent weeks. Since 2007 the judiciary has led the opposition
Ankara Hosts Trilateral Talks on the Kurdish Question
Delegations led by the Turkish Interior Minister Besir Atalay, Iraqi Minister of State for National Security Shirwan al-Waili and U.S. Major-General Steven A. Hummer, the deputy chief of staff for
AKP Prepares a Comprehensive Plan to Address the Kurdish Question
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on his way to Syria revealed that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government has launched a comprehensive plan to address the Kurdish question. Erdogan
Oil Excavation Crisis in Cyprus Threatens Turkish-Greek Cypriot Negotiations
The U.N.-led peace talks launched by the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and his Greek Cypriot counterpart Dimitris Christofias in September 2008 aiming to find a comprehensive solution to
Ankara’s Reaction to Xinjiang Crisis Raises Bilateral Tension
Since the ethnic riots in Urumqi, the capital of China's northwestern Xinjiang region populated by ethnic Turkic Uighurs, which resulted in the deaths of at least 156 people, including many
The Kurdish Question Witnesses Possible Transformation in Turkey and Iraq
Turkish President Abdullah Gul has taken positive steps towards resolving the Kurdish question. Gul recently invited the Kurdish nationalist Democratic Society Party (DTP) parliamentarian, Selahattin Demirtas to accompany him on
Turkish Military Prepares to Strengthen its Forces in Afghanistan
Since Barack Obama declared that the U.S. government will prioritize restoring the international basis for its fight against al-Qaeda within Afghanistan, Turkey has emerged as a key source of support
Ankara Anxiously Monitors the Xinjiang Crisis
The riots in Urumqi, the capital of China's northwestern Xinjiang region populated by ethnic Turkic Uighurs, have resulted in the deaths of at least 156 people, mostly Uighurs, and hundreds
Ankara Approves Controversial “Midnight Legislation”
Since June 12, the Turkish political elites have actively debated the authenticity of an unclassified military document outlining an alleged action plan for the military to combat the "reactionary activities"
Turkish Military Coup Debate Resurfaces
While Ankara was preoccupied with determining the authenticity of the recent document indicating that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) might attempt to topple the government, the chairman of the opposition
AKP Marshals E.U. Reforms to Normalize Civil-Military Relations
On June 12, the liberal left Taraf daily published an unclassified document outlining an alleged action plan for the military to combat the "reactionary activities" against secularism. Allegedly the "Action
Turkey Anxious over Mass Protests in Iran
Following the controversial presidential election in Iran, the Turkish media coverage has revealed a mixed interpretation of events, and appears to indicate widespread support in the country for the re-election
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu Visits Pakistan and Afghanistan
Turkish involvement in Pakistan and Afghanistan has mainly developed as a result of Ankara's own initiatives. Recently, however, the U.S. requested that Turkey enhance its security assistance to Afghanistan and
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Eroglu Visits Ankara
The E.U. has set December 2009 as the deadline for Turkey to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriots, and failure to comply might result in the suspension of
European Election Results Rekindle Turkish Reform Agenda
Voter apathy within the E.U. during the European parliamentary elections on June 4 resulted in only 40 percent of Europeans' voting. The election witnessed conservatives and center-right parties winning a
Obama’s Cairo Speech Receives Mixed Reaction Among Turkish Intellectuals
On June 4 during his trip to the Middle East President Barack Obama delivered a speech at Cairo University outlining how his administration intends to develop a new relationship with
The PKK Extends its Unilateral Ceasefire
In response to the Turkish President Abullah Gul advocating a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question, 72 NGO's in Diyarbakir province declared their support for his steps toward solving the
The Turkish Parliament Blocks Controversial Investment Plan
The Turkish government drafted a bill on a proposed de-mining project on the Syrian border, which sparked controversy among neo-nationalists and Islamists (EDM, May 21). The Justice and Development Party
Erdogan Initiates Debate over Turkey Minority Rights
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a speech in the northwestern city of Duzce criticized the deep fear of foreign nationals and minorities in Turkey. Erdogan stated: "Over many
Turkish Judiciary Opposing the AKP Government
Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has long been at loggerheads with the secularist establishment, including army generals, judges and academics. Since 2007 the judiciary has led the opposition
Ankara Seeks Russian Support in Normalizing its Relations with Armenia
On May 16 Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Moscow and met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, as part of Ankara's ongoing efforts to normalize its relations with
Erdogan Reassures Azerbaijan on Turkey’s Border Policy with Armenia
On April 23 it was revealed that Turkey and Armenia signed a roadmap outlining the rapprochement process between the two countries. According to the roadmap, Armenia must accept the Kars
Ankara Establishing a “Paper Tiger to Address Terrorism
Turkey has reorganized its counter-terrorist institutions in order to enhance its overall strategy, reflecting the changes within the international security climate. The Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek revealed plans to
Ankara Considering PKK’s Proposals on Dialog
Turkey, the United States and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have long worked toward ending the conflict between the PKK and Turkey. On the one hand, the Kurdish leaders in
Iraqi Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr Visits Turkey
Moqtada al-Sadr, the most prominent Shi'ite opponent of the United States' military presence in Iraq, paid an official visit to Turkey for talks on the political situation in neighboring Iraq.
The PKK Intensifies its Terrorist Campaign
On April 27, Police in Istanbul conducted operations on 60 different addresses, targeting the newly emerged militant organization Devrimci Karargah (DK) (Revolutionary Base). The police detained 40 suspects. At one
Turkish Police Target al-Qaeda Network in Turkey
The counterterrorism units of the Gaziantep, Konya, Adana, Kahramanmaras and Sanliurfa provincial police departments staged simultaneous raids on a number of addresses in their respective cities. As a result 37
Kurdish Hezbollah Targets the Fethullah Gulen Movement
On April 8 Fethullah Gulen, the leader of the moderate Islamist neo-Nur movement (a Sufi Islamist network that follows the path of Islamist thinker Said Nursi who died in 1960),
Turkey Considers Building Two Military Bases in Iraq to Counter the PKK
Turkey's Chief of the General Staff, General Ilker Basbug, delivered a speech at the War Academies Command in Istanbul on April 14, addressing key issues including civil-military relations, national identity,
Ergenekon Investigation Extends to Academics and NGOs
Turkish prosecutors investigating the Ergenekon criminal network have launched a new wave of arrests including academics, leaders of NGO's, and columnists allegedly part of the Ergenekon criminal network, which aimed
Ankara-Yerevan Rapprochement Strains Turkey’s Relations With Azerbaijan
Rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia has been fast tracked as diplomats intensified their work in the past two months on possible ways of addressing the issue (EDM, February 10, March
Obama’s Ankara Visit Highlights Rapprochement Strategy Toward the Middle East
President Barack Obama's visit to Ankara was well received by the majority of Turkish people, apart from a minority in Ankara complaining about traffic jams due to enhanced security measures.
Turkey and Armenia Relations Continue to Warm as Deal to Reopen Border Inches Forward
On March 17, Congressmen Adam Schiff, George Radanovich and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone and Mark Kirk introduced a resolution to the U.S. House of Representatives co-sponsored by over
Ahmet Davutoglu: The Man behind Turkey’s Assertive Foreign Policy
Ambassador Ahmet Davutoglu, the chief foreign policy advisor to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan, visited Washington, March 17-21, to discuss critical developments in the Middle East before President Obama's
Gul’s Visit to Baghdad: A Sign of Rapprochement With The Kurds?
Turkey's President Abdullah Gul arrived in Iraq on March 23, becoming the first Turkish president to visit the country in 33 years, where he was warmly welcomed by Iraq's President
Ergenekon Investigation Exposes Divisions Among Turkish Military Officers
As the prosecutors deepen their investigations into the Ergenekon criminal network, they have found interesting evidence that indicates two opposing camps within the Turkish military. Recently, the neo-nationalist daily Cumhuriyet's
Turkish Government May Approve Construction of a Nuclear Power Plant in April
Russian Energy Minister Sergey Shmatko paid an official visit to Ankara to meet with Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler. At the meeting, Shmatko inquired when the Turkish authorities would make
Kurds May Ask the PKK to Lay Down Its Arms
The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq has prepared a proposal to end terror attacks inside Turkey by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). It was first reported last December that
Some 100,000 People in Diyarbakir Celebrate the Birthday of Mohammad
On March 8 thousands of people gathered in the Kurdish city of Diyarbakir to celebrate "Mevlud'a Muhammedi" (birth of Mohammad), the Prophet Muhammad's 1,458th birthday. The event was organized by
Would Iran Want Turkey as a Mediator for U.S.-Iranian Negotiations?
On the eve of possible talks between the United States and Iran, Ankara is encouraging Iranian leaders to seize the opportunity for peace now that a new administration that favors
Why Does Turkey Love Omar al-Bashir?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. The ICC accused al-Bashir of being directly responsible for the attacks by pro-government
Clinton to Appear in a Women’s Talk Show on Turkish TV as a Way of Combating Anti-Americanism
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Ankara on March 7, the last day of her diplomatic tour of the Middle East. Ankara has prepared a number of issues
Turkey-Iran Relations: A Trade Partnership or a Gateway for Iran to Escape International Sanctions?
While the international community has been discussing whether Iran finally has the technological capacity to produce nuclear weapons, the diplomatic traffic between Turkey and Iran has been increasing. In addition
Turkey’s Kurdish Question: Irony Within Irony
In November 2008 Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan made one of his most disconcerting statements toward the Kurds in Turkey: "We have said, ‘One nation, one flag, one motherland, and one
Gul’s African Visit Could Indicate How Turkey Will Act in the UN Security Council
Turkish President Abdullah Gul visited Kenya and Tanzania to expand Turkey's relations with the two African countries. With this visit, Abdullah Gul became the first Turkish president to pay an
To Maintain its Power the AKP Must Decisively Win March 29 Election
Turkey has entered into an election atmosphere ahead of its provincial elections on March 29. The strongest party in the election is the Justice and Development Party (AKP). The opposition
Turkey and Armenia Move Closer to a Deal on Formal Diplomatic Relations
In light of recent events surrounding Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's harsh denunciation of Israeli policies in Gaza, one of the emerging concerns of Turkish diplomats is that there may
Al-Qaeda Robbers Target Jewelry Stores
The recent crisis with Israel not only diverted international attention away from the looming danger of al-Qaeda attacks in Turkey but the growing sensitivity toward Israel may actually be motivating
Erdogan: The Conqueror of the Arab Streets
Until Israel invaded Gaza in January, Turkey had devoted its energy and resources to developing an outline for a possible peace deal between Israel and Syria. Just three days before
AKP Government’s Policies Toward Anti-Semitism May Not Be Enough
Israel's military operation in Gaza and the reactions from the Turkish government and the public have put the Turkish Jewish community in a delicate situation in which they could face
Yet Another Crisis in Turkey-Israel Relations
In an earlier EDM analysis it was observed that since Israel’s Gaza offensive began, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s harsh criticism of the operation has made him the champion
The Ergenekon Investigation May Reveal JITEM’s Dirty Past
The investigation of the neo-nationalist criminal Ergenekon network involving military and police officers, politicians, media members, labor union leaders, and political strategists is continuing. In the 11th wave of arrests,
Can the “Gaza damage” to Turkish-Israeli Relations be reversed?
During Israel’s incursion into Gaza, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan harshly criticized the operations. His condemnation received the applause of a majority of people in the Muslim world; but
Turkey Addresses PKK Challenge after Iraq Reaches Status of Forces Agreement with United States
The U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) came into force on January 1, creating a new environment for future Turkish air strikes on the PKK camps based in northern Iraq.
The Media Discuss the Idea of Turkish Troop Deployment in Gaza
Whenever a crisis occurs on the Gaza Strip, the possibility of Turkish troops being deployed on the border between Egypt and Gaza is brought up. In 2007 Palestinian president Mahmud
Obama Brings New Hopes for Turkey
President Barack Obama’s inaugural address has been warmly welcomed by the Turkish media. Three of his statements have been commonly praised by the Turkish press: his warm message to the
Erdogan’s Middle East Diplomacy: A New Nasser in the Making?
Since Israel’s Gaza offensive began, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has used harsh rhetoric about Israeli operations in Gaza. Erdogan’s sharp criticism of Israel has motivated the Turkish public
Politicization in the Turkish Judiciary System Deepens
The Ergenekon investigation has sparked a controversy about whether the Justice and Development Party (AKP) is using public prosecutors to subdue the opposition. The debate about whether the judiciary system
Ergenekon Investigation Has Potential to Harm Civilian-Military Relations
On January 7 the investigation into Ergenekon, a clandestine neo-nationalist criminal network that allegedly plotted to stage a military coup, resulted in a new wave of high-profile arrests in Sivas,
Public Outrage Against Israeli Policies in Gaza Could Turn into Anti-Semitic Sentiment
As Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan increases his criticism of the Israeli offensive in the Gaza strip, the Turkish people are continuing to demonstrate against Israeli policies toward Palestinians. This
Will Turkey See a Sunni-Alevi Confrontation in the Near Future?
On December 18 the Turkish media reported that the Kotku Mosque in the Uskudar district of Istanbul had become the city’s 12th mosque in 11 days to be set on
Turkish Military in Need of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Turkey’s efforts since 2005 to purchase 10 Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) from Israel finally produced a result with the delivery of the first two Herons to Turkey in the
Iraqi Journalist’s Shoes Make Turkish Media Happy
Muntader al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush during a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on December 14, has suddenly become a
Yet Another Chechen Commander Assassinated in Istanbul
On December 10 former Chechen commander Islam Canibekov was assassinated in the Umraniye district of Istanbul. According to the police, the weapon used in the assassination was an SP3 or
Is the PKK Sabotaging Strategic Energy Infrastructure in a Search for a Superpower Partner?
A recent trend has emerged of attacks by the Kurdistan Workers Party (Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan – PKK) on the energy infrastructure that carries oil and natural gas to markets in
AKP’s Dilemma: How To Accommodate Alevi Demands Within the State Structure
Since the "Grand Alevi Rally” organized by Alevi Bektasi Federation (ABF) on November 10, the Alevi question has been dominating public debate in Turkey. It appears that the Sunni segments
President Abdullah Gul Takes an Active Role in Easing Kurdish Unrest
During his visits to different cities in the Kurdish region in early November, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan encountered forceful street protests encouraged by the Democratic Society Party (DTP). Erdogan created
Ergenekon’s Alliance with the Eurasia Movement in Russia
The daily Sabah has published a document from February 7, 1997, about Tuncay Guney, a former journalist who worked in various news outlets and is now seeking asylum in Canada.
What Lies Ahead for U.S.-Turkish Counterterrorism Cooperation in the Obama Era?
The strategic relationship between Turkey and the United States entered into a new phase on November 5, 2007, when President Bush pledged real-time intelligence sharing with the Turkish military while
Arms Shipment to the Kurds May Be a Sign of Conflict Between the KRG and Baghdad
The Washington Post has reported that three C-130 cargo planes delivered small arms and ammunition from Bulgaria to Iraq in September. Three U.S. military officials indicated that the weapons shipment
Turkey and Iran Sign Accord on Natural Gas Cooperation
Ankara and Tehran signed an accord strengthening agreements on developing Iran’s gas fields and transporting Iranian gas to Europe. With the agreement, Turkey secures the operation rights for three offshore
Turkey Adjusts Its Foreign Policy to the Planned U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq
U.S. and Iraqi officials finally agreed on a withdrawal plan requiring Washington to withdraw its forces within three years. The withdrawal will have a direct impact on Turkish-Iraqi relations. Ankara’s
Turkey Urges International Cooperation in its Struggle against Kurdish Militants
Turkey has recently intensified its international effort to limit the activities of the Kurdistan Workers Party (Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan - PKK) in the international arena. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Alevis Highlight Their Demands in Ankara
On November 10 Turkey's Alevi community, a religious group that differs from Sunni Islam, organized a "Grand Alevi Rally" for the first time in the history of the Turkish Republic.
Ergenekon Network Exacerbates Anti-Americanism in Turkey
The reading of the 2,455-page indictment against 86 suspects in the first trial against Ergenekon, a criminal network accused of plotting to overthrow the government, was completed at the trial's
Firat Resignation May Indicate a Hardening of AKP Kurdish Policy
On November 7, after the Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), it was announced that Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat had resigned from his position
European Commission 2008 Progress Report on Turkey Details AKP Shortcomings
On November 5 the European Commission released its 2008 progress report about Turkey. The report examines political and economic criteria as well as Turkey’s ability to assume the obligations of
AKP Unable To Decide on Its Kurdish Policy
On November 2 Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the eastern province of Hakkari to deliver a speech at a congress of his Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) local
HOW DOES THE GLOBAL CRISIS AFFECT THE TURKISH ECONOMY?
On October 30 both the Washington Post and the Financial Times mentioned in reports about the global economic crisis that the Turkish economy was one of those that may have
Destruction of Turkish Outpost by PKK Leads to Counterterrorism Reforms
Click Here for a Interactive Map The PKK’s October 3 attack on the Aktutun military outpost sparked a controversy over whether Turkish counterterrorism strategy is on the right track. In
CAN THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT’S PLANS FOR SOLVING THE KURDISH QUESTION WORK?
In contrast to its normal routine, in which the Turkish General Staff briefs cabinet members at the National Security Council (MGK) meetings, Turkish Chief of General Staff General Ilker Basbug
GENERALS IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE ARE HARMING THE AKP
In recent months the visibility of military generals in the public sphere has increased, creating the impression that Turkey has two legislative and two executive bodies, one elected civilian and
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RULING ON HEADSCARF DEEPENS THE DEMOCRACY CRISIS IN TURKEY
In February the Justice and Development Party (AKP) teamed up with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and amended Articles 10 and 42 of the Constitution to lift the ban on
PROTESTS CONTINUE IN KURDISH CITIES IN TURKEY
On October 17 lawyers for imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan claimed that prison personnel had physically attacked Ocalan and threatened him by saying that when the time came he would
Village Guards on the Frontline of Turkey’s War on Terrorism
The Village Guard system is one of the key aspects of Turkish security polices in the nation’s ethnic-Kurdish southeast. In response to the growing power of the Kurdistan Workers Party
Is the PKK Seeking New Bases in the Turkish Interior?
As of August 2008, it appears that operations of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan – PKK) have shifted toward a strip of Turkish territory crossing through Tunceli, Bingol,
THE NEW MILITARY LEADERSHIP AND CIVILIAN-MILITARY RELATIONS IN TURKEY
In its last meeting the Supreme Military Council selected General Ilker Basbug as the new Chief of General Staff of Turkish military (August 3). As a son of Macedonian immigrants,
PKK Tactics May Reveal Damage Caused by Turkish Military Campaign
The fighting between Turkish security forces and the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) has intensified in recent months. Turkish air raids on the PKK camps in northern Iraq have resumed since
Was Alleged al-Qaeda Attack a Failed Attempt to Occupy the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul?
The July 9 attack on the U.S. consulate in Istanbul refocused international attention on al-Qaeda’s Turkish branch. Three attackers and three police officers died in the ensuing gun battle. Unlike
TOWARD A NEW ERA IN TURKISH-IRAQI RELATIONS?
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent visit to Iraq has initiated a new chapter in bilateral relations. Several problems, including the Kurdish question, the Iraq-Iran war, and Turkey's support
ABDULLATIF SENER: A DIVISIVE FACTOR OR THE NEW POLITICAL LEADER OF TURKEY?
As the decision of the Constitutional Court on whether the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) should be shut down gets closer, new political figures have started forming alternatives. The
Tackling the PKK: New Directions for Turkey’s Special Forces
Recent counter-insurgency operations of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in northern Iraq have once again brought to the forefront its highly trained Ozel Kuvvetler Komutanligi (OKK - Special Forces Command).
Can Turkey’s Anti-Terrorism Cooperation with Iran Lead to a Strategic Partnership?
Turkish Land Forces Commander General Ilker Basbug surprised some by announcing a partnership between Turkey and Iran in the fight against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorist organization (Cumhuriyet, June
TURKEY’S GAMBLE BETWEEN IRAN AND THE UNITED STATES
On June 23 the European Union approved new sanctions against Iran, including freezing the assets of the country's biggest bank, Bank Melli, which is suspected of providing services to Iran's
THE BLACK SEA OIL FIELDS MAY MAKE TURKEY ENERGY INDEPENDENT
In recent years Turkey has geared up its efforts to diversify its energy sources. The State Planning Agency estimated that there is a need for an $80 billion investment in
Freeing Jerusalem: Turkey and the Lebanese Hizbullah
Newly launched peace talks between Syria and Israel mediated by Turkey have focused the international community’s attention on Turkey’s role in the Middle East. Political observers have been cautiously awaiting
Leading PKK Commander Cemil Bayik Crosses into Iran
On May 10, the Turkish General Staff posted a press release on its web site which stated: “As a result of the Turkish air strike on the Qandil Mountains, a