Latest Articles about Turkey
Ankara, Baghdad, and Erbil Reportedly Near a Deal to Deter the PKK in Northern Iraq
The attempts to resolve Turkey’s Kurdish problem have focused increasingly on Iraq. Turkey has stepped up its diplomatic contacts with both the Iraqi central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to boost its fight against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), based in Northern Iraq.Turkish-Iraqi... MORE
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 SM4 “Silent Pistol,” which makes very minimal noise and was made especially for the KGB.... MORE
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 the West. As early as 2006, PKK leader Murat Karayilan rejected the idea of attacking... MORE
Soul-Searching in the CHP: Baykal’s “Chador Opening”
Deniz Baykal, the leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), kindled a controversial debate in Turkish politics when he introduced his new project to reach out to conservative circles. During a party meeting, Baykal pinned party rosettes on women wearing black chadors (carsaf),... MORE
The Turkey-IMF Stand-By Accord: a Never-Ending Symphony?
The Turkish government’s handling of the economic crisis continues to draw criticism. Business leaders and investors have been insisting that urgent measures are needed to protect the economy. An expert from Moody’s maintained that without a new IMF program, Turkey could face recession in one... MORE
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 of society, secular and religious alike, mostly welcome moderate Alevi demands, although the Alevis themselves... MORE
Dostum Says He Is Not in Exile in Turkey and Remains a Potent Force in Afghanistan
A Turkish newspaper has reported that Rashid Dostum, the leader of ethnic Uzbeks in Afghanistan, was flown to Turkey as part of a special operation arranged by the Turkish government. The report maintained that Dostum might be sent into exile by the Afghan government as... MORE
Turkey’s PKK Responds to AKP Flirtation with the Kurdistan Regional Government
Turkey had high hopes its cross-border operations in the winter of 2007-8 would eliminate the threat posed by the Kurdistan Workers Party (Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan – PKK). The ability of the PKK to strike back in the spring and summer of 2008 through staggering attacks... MORE
Gul Hosts Karzai and Zardari for a Trilateral Summit in Istanbul
Turkey is hosting another major international gathering, marking its growing profile in regional and international diplomacy. Turkish President Abdullah Gul has brought together Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in a trilateral meeting being held in Istanbul on December 5 (www.cnnturk.com,... MORE
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 deep concern during these visits with his ultranationalist statements. He went so far as to... MORE