Remarks of AKP deputy draw harsh reaction

Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat, deputy leader of the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, has come under fire for his remarks to the New York Times that Turkish society has been traumatized by the

[MONDAY TALK] Belge: Only remedy to current deadlock is democracy

By YONCA POYRAZ DOĞAN

Murat Belge, a left-wing intellectual, has said democracy has its own remedies to solve the current deadlock of the political system, which peaked following a series of decisions by the judiciary to overrule parliamentary decisions. "Today the biggest threat to Turkey's current system is liberal democracy.

“No To A Coup”

By Jenny White

Thousands of people marched in Istanbul on Saturday to support democracy and to protest the coup that many believe is occurring as a result of the Constitutional Court case against the ruling AK Party. A variety of non-governmental organizations were represented and the march occurred without incident. The march was not covered in most Turkish newspapers except Islam-friendly Zaman.

The Case Against Turkey's Ruling Party - Middle East Forum

by Michael Rubin
The American
June 20, 2008

Sometime this summer, Turkey's Constitutional Court will decide whether Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) violated the 'principles of a democratic and secular republic' that undergird the Turkish constitution and should be barred from politics. Across the Turkish political spectrum, most officials expect the Court to rule against the AKP, thus dissolving the party and banning Erdoğan and his closest aides for at least five years."

A tragicomic figure of ‘old Turkey’

Let us remind ourselves of some stunning remarks by Mesut Yılmaz, a former leader of the Motherland Party (ANAVATAN, then-ANAP) and a former prime minister.

A planned military coup in Turkey How to stage a military coup in Turkey, or how to prevent one by MEHMET KALYONCU

Turks have been shaken by yet another "action plan" for military intervention in politics. The so-called action plan, drafted in September 2007 and recently leaked from within the military, outlines how the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) was planning to intervene in politics and the civilian sphere.

The Rise of Political Islam in Turkey: The Nation’s Role in Western Security Efforts

Can Turkey’s Erdogan stay in power? - The National Newspaper

Thomas Seibert, Foreign Correspondent

ISTANBUL // As Turkey prepares for the final stages of a court case that could lead to a ban on the ruling party of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, Ankara has been sizzling with feverish speculation surrounding possible consequences of the trial, with some commentators predicting fresh parliamentary elections as early as October."

PARTY CLOSURES AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS MAY ALL OCCUR IN FALL - Eurasia Daily Monitor

Closure case to be evaluated based on Copenhagen criteria

The closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, will be evaluated according to the Copenhagen political criteria, said Marc Pierini, the head of the European Commission

Go out and speak up!

By ERGUN BABAHAN, SABAH

The document published by daily Taraf that was purportedly prepared by the General Staff has triggered many different reactions among the public. The existence of such a document, which we might call "the Turkish Armed Force's [TSK] plan to remake Turkey," has been officially refuted.

White army’s burden

Yes. I know that the original phrase reads "white man's burden," but in the Turkish context, what's the difference? Having read the Taraf daily's headline news story on the new, very detailed military memorandum on socially engineering society in line with the army's ideology, one cannot help but think that Turkish society must look like a chaotic jungle-that-needs-to-be-civilized-and-uniformed to the military.

The nature of the crisis

Those who claim to be responsible for Turkey's reputation and well-being have to make a fundamental decision, and soon. If Turkey has to stay in the Western politico-economic system, it has to abide by the rules of democracy and rule of law.

Roger Cohen: The fight for Turkey - International Herald Tribune

ISTANBUL: Let's talk Turkey. A war is on for the country's soul and everyone should be watching because the little matter of Islam and democracy depends in large measure on its outcome."

Introducing Turkish politics to the clueless westerner

Tony FITZGERALD

Bahçeli urges PM sacrifice in post-closure plans

Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the ultra-nationalist Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, warned Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan against possible disintegration of his Justice and Development

Excuse me, esteemed pasha

By ŞAMİL TAYYAR, STAR

Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt is right in asking whether there is any other military in the world that is the subject of verbal attacks like those directed at the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK); however, it is essentially impossible for me to agree with him.
 

Islam and the left in Turkey.

By Mick Hall

Below is a first rate analyses written by Ron Marqulies of where the Turkish left stands as far as Islam is concerned and the rise of the AK Party. It highlights the similarities between the AKP and New Labour. Unlike NL, which has been the parliamentary vehicle for some of the most reactionary legislation to become law in the UK since the 19th century, the AKP whilst implementing a new liberal economic program, has passed a platform of progressive legislation through the Grand Assembly and in 2003 [finally] resisted G W Bush's demands that Turkey be used as a bridgehead to invade Iraq.

Redefining Turkey's strategic orientation

If the many abrupt shifts in security and geopolitics stemming from both the global “war on terror” and the war in Iraq, the Republic of Turkey represents one of the most dynamic models of profound

Yusuf Kanlı: Miracles!

Next week today the Supreme Court of Appeals chief prosecutor will be standing in front of the 11 judges of the Constitutional Court to present his “oral evaluations” in the closure case against the Justice and Development Party, or the AKP. Though not necessarily obliged to, the prosecutor both on that day and in the following couple of weeks during which a reporter will look into the case and prepare a final recommendation – unbinding on court members – report to the high court, may as well submit some new evidence supporting his demand for the closure of the party and bring some additional charges against the ruling party. Two days later, the AKP will present its “oral defense.”

The march against the coup

Nabi YAĞCI

Having no strategy brings success?

Cüneyt ÜLSEVER