June 08, 2008
May 30, 2008
"Turkey, US won't join cluster bomb ban
111 Nations, Minus the U.S., Agree to Cluster-Bomb Ban
LONDON, May 28 -- More than 100 countries reached agreement Wednesday to ban cluster bombs, controversial weapons that human rights groups deplore but that the United States, which did not join the ban, calls an integral, legitimate part of its arsenal.Turkey, US won't join cluster bomb ban
More than 100 countries, led by European Union nations, agreed Wednesday on the draft of a treaty to ban cluster munitions, but the United States, Turkey and a number of other major militaryContinue reading ""Turkey, US won't join cluster bomb ban" »
May 20, 2008
"Turkey: Not a country for old men
My blogger friend Hans' last column in Turkish Daily News:
Turkey: Not a country for old men
Hans A.H.C. de WIT
Politics is all about business and spin; all about negotiation and bargaining. Until, that is, you get what you want. And then you must communicate with other groups, like people who didn't vote for you. So, you act on a fine line of ethics: You are the leader of a political party which won the elections but not the heart, souls and minds of all Turks.
Mindset of judge not fond of parties
Party closure has become a general custom of Turkish politics, with 24 political parties having been closed down so far. Two parties are currently facing closure cases: the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which received 47 percent (16.5 million votes) of the vote in the July 22, 2007 elections, and the Democratic Society Party (DTP), which received 4 percent (2 million votes) of the vote in the same elections. The choices of 18.5 million voters are now subject to a political ban.May 18, 2008
"Turkey's Courts Should Respect the Will of the People
Article | Turkey's Courts Should Respect the Will of the People
Mr. Parris, a retired career diplomat, was U.S. ambassador to Turkey 1997-2000. He is a counselor to the Brookings Institution's Turkey Project.Mavi Boncuk |
Turkey's Courts Should Respect the Will of the People By MARK R. PARRIS
May 17, 2008; Page A11
You'd hardly know it from the muted reaction in Washington or the nonexistent press coverage, but a key U.S. ally and one of the Middle East's most important democracies is sliding inexorably toward crisis. Turkey's constitutional court is currently considering arguments for closing down the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), and banning its top leadership from politics for threatening the secular nature of the Turkish state.
Why most 'educated' Turks are hopelessly illiberal?
Mustafa AKYOLContinue reading ""Turkey's Courts Should Respect the Will of the People" »
May 07, 2008
Another political group, really?
By Daniel Steinvorth in Political Tremors in Istanbul: The Rise of Turkey's New Left - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News says:
In the wake of the May riots in Turkey, another group has now entered the power struggle in Istanbul. In addition to pro-secularism Kemalists and conservative Muslims, workers and the left are now making their voices heard.
Although there is much truth in Mr. Steinvort's article, I am not sure if we can speak of an emerging politically active group. Trade Unions are notariously politicaly savvy - not necessarily for the benefits of workers- and they know when to act. Two major labor confederations, particularly DISK, knew well that their act would be reported intensively. In a feud between the major media organizations and the government, media would become suddenly become pro-labor and cover the story in an anti-government fashion.
Unproportional use of police force has been a notorious tradition in May 1 anniversaries, and one wonders why the mainstream media becomes labor friendly in the last two years. In other times, our media would probably emphasize the "illegal leftist" groups or PKK sympathizers among the demonstrators and would justify the police force...
April 28, 2008
"Demagogues in EU and Turkey are playing with fire
Kaleağasi: Demagogues in EU and Turkey are playing with fire
Bahadır Kaleağası, the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD) permanent representative to the EU, has said anti-Turkey demagogues in Europe and the anti-European camp in Turkey create a lot of resentment in both communities with the manipulation and the aggressive behavior they generate.Continue reading ""Demagogues in EU and Turkey are playing with fire" »
April 19, 2008
"Turkish Democracy at the Crossroads
Coup techniques by MÜMTAZ’ER TÜRKÖNE
Italian writer Curzio Malaparte's book titled "Tecnica del Colpo di Stato" (Coup d'État, the Technique of Revolution), originally published in 1931, was translated into Turkish in 1963.
April 10, 2008
Special Barroso coverage - II; Barroso welcomed as Google Groups banned now...
Although I have access right now, it is widely reported that Google Groups subdomain is banned (see ie. Google banned in Turkey!).
In the mean time, Hürriyet reports that Turkish military sends messages (through special Turkish political sign language) to Barroso that it was upset with Barroso's statement before his visit.
EU commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) and Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan review a guard of honour during a welcoming ceremony in Ankara April 10, 2008. Barroso is in the Turkish capital for talks with top Turkish officials.
REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY)
EU commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (C) is welcomed by Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan (L) at the entrance of Erdogan's office in Ankara April 10, 2008. Barroso is in the Turkish capital for talks with top Turkish officials.
REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY)
EU's Barroso Urges Turkey to Press Ahead With Reforms | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 10.04.2008
Top EU officials meet Turkish PM amid renewed reform efforts
rpp is worse than a rotting political carcass
just a short note for anybody anywhere who had hopes about the repuıblican peoples party of ever serving some use in turkey's future:the supposedly left wing party that did absolutely nothing to liberate any sector of the society, including labor, from the restraints of the military constitution of the 1982 coup d'etat, now reached the point where it prides itself on stopping the debates on the article 301 of the penal code that is universally recognized as a stumbling block before freedom of expression in the country.
Turkey’s turmoil, the EU’s reaction
by Katinka BaryschPolitical turmoil is nothing new in Turkey. After six years of unusual stability, tensions have mounted since early 2007. The army threatened to topple the AKP government in case it made Abdullah Gul president. Gul did become president, and the AKP emerged strengthened from an early election. Now the chief prosecutor has pushed a case in front of the constitutional court that threatens to ban the AKP because of its alleged anti-secular activities, most notably ending the ban on women wearing headscarves in universities.
Some more items related to Turkish politics....
Continue reading "Special Barroso coverage - II; Barroso welcomed as Google Groups banned now..." »
March 10, 2008
Youtube becomes a site of mysterious intelligence battles!
Hürriyet notes that a fourth video is released in Youtube which reveals some off the record talks of senior officials. We are into some intelligence battles whose details may never be known....
Key general asks for discharge
A top general in the Office of the Chief of Staff has asked for his discharge following the release of critical comments made by him on the recent military incursion in northern Iraq on
Secular demonstrators chant slogans during a rally marking International Women's Day in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 8, 2008. A demonstrator wearing a head band with a slogan reads that: 'We are following your path. We are guards of the republic' and waves a Turkish flag with a poster of modern Turkey's founder Ataturk on it.
(AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)WOMEN IN TURKEY; Violence and Lack of Education
Continue reading "Youtube becomes a site of mysterious intelligence battles!" »
March 02, 2008
Turkish troops back home
Turkish intervention in Northern Iraq stopped unexpectedly and troops returned home. The office of Chief of Staff states that the invervention reached its goals, hence the end of operation. I am very glad about that. I mean i am glad that the land operation ended up quickly. There is of course the rumor that intense US pressure led a sudden end. Honestly I don't mind. Turkish parliament showed before that they could oppose US goals (in the beginning of Gulf War). Here, whatever the motives, an operation ending quickly is good. It dispels the claims that Turkey was there to invade northern Iraq. It demonstrates that Turkish army can operate any time of the year- at least a good way to save face. Of course, this means fewer people to die and less spending of funds.
Finally, i would like to point out that Turkish Army began to use internet very effectively. Most of the news sources directly came from the army website. In fact the army stopped usual press releases and conferences and asked journalists to look at their websites. Interesting...
Anyway, here is an article on Kurdish question and here is an older roundup:
EDAM Discussion Paper Series– 2008/Issue 1
EDAM (Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies) has just published the first issue of EDAM Discussion Paper Series 2008. EDAM aims to contribute to the discussion on Turkey’s Kurdish problem with the article “Revisiting Turkey’s Kurdish Problem” by Prof. Kemal Kirisci, Executive Board Member of EDAM, Director of European Studies Center and Jean Monnet Center of Excellence, Bogazici University.
To download the article please click here.
February 29, 2008
"1957 US - 2008 Turkey
US 1957
The idea is not mine, these juxtaposed photos spreading thru forwarded emails. Good idea though:)
Turkey 2008
What if it is not a religious conviction?
Some secular columnists discuss whether or not covering the head with a headscarf is a religious requirement.
In the mean time, US now asks Turkey to stop in Northern Iraq. A new wave of tension comin'. Here is a huge round up in Turkey's top two issues in her political agenda.
January 17, 2008
Gov't's Alevi initiative; never ending turban controversy; TR-US relations and more...
Turkey Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (4th L sitting) attends a fast-breaking dinner in Ankara January 11, 2008. Erdogan tried on Friday to reassure Turkey's Alevi Muslim minority, who often complain of official discrimination, that their rights are fully respected and that they are a valued part of the nation.
REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Erkan's note: One angle I might be interested in Alevi initiative is that the State might start codification of Alevism. Even if the government wants to do something positive for Alevi constituencies, the problem is to find out what to do. Unlike Sunnism, Alevism is unorthodox, more based on oral traditions and too difficult to homogenize at this state. In the coming days, there might be some moves towards making Alevism a codified religious practice. Just an idea...
Alevis’ dilemma
As part of efforts to eliminate distrust of the state among the country’s Alevi community, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended an Alevi fast-breaking dinner last week where he sought to reassure the Alevis that their rights are fully respected and that they are a valued part of the nation.January 12, 2008
"Gül’s visit heralds a new phase in US-Turkish relations
Gül’s visit heralds a new phase in US-Turkish relations
Turkish President Abdullah Gül’s visit to the White House, his first such visit to the US as president and the first visit by a Turkish president in 11 years, comes at a time when US-Turkish relations have taken a new turn.Continue reading ""Gül’s visit heralds a new phase in US-Turkish relations" »
January 08, 2008
"New optimism in Turkish-American relations
New optimism in Turkish-American relations
President Abdullah Gül’s official visit to Washington comes at a time when Turkish-American relations appear to be at their best since March 2003. What a difference a couple of months make...Continue reading ""New optimism in Turkish-American relations" »
January 07, 2008
"Does Turkey See the United States or Europe as a More Reliable Partner?
Turkey must move fast to avoid EU setbacks - International Herald Tribune
Turkey faces testing year ahead
After a year of political upheaval, 2008 will test Turkey's ability to reform, writes the BBC's Sarah Rainsford.Does Turkey See the United States or Europe as a More Reliable Partner?
Bulent Kenes opines in Today’s Zaman that US support for Turkey’s military operations against the Kurdish Worker’s Party (PKK) is a breakthrough for Turkish sovereignty:
During the years of the Cold War, there could be nothing more normal for Turkey, an ally of the US, than to conform to the global policies determined by the US, the super power of the Western bloc that it belonged to in the bipolar system. However, the US wanted to maintain this habit even after the end of the bipolar system when the Cold War ended...Continue reading ""Does Turkey See the United States or Europe as a More Reliable Partner?" »
January 04, 2008
Hrant Dink's murderer may be considered adult with recent report...
Journalist's murderer may be considered adult with recent report
The age of O.S. suspected of murdering Hrant Dink, editor-in-chief of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos, has been ascertained as 19 on Jan. 19, 2007, the day the murder was
Continue reading "Hrant Dink's murderer may be considered adult with recent report..." »
December 29, 2007
"Who won 2007?
Who won 2007? by MÜMTAZ’ER TÜRKÖNE
I titled my article as such in order to make a brief assessment of 2007, considering how we are about to enter 2008.
Imam: "C'mon, come join us too..."
"The [Turkish] Government plans for imams to convince [PKK] terrorists to come down from the mountains"
Source: Milliyet, Turkey, December 26, 2007 VIA
Democratic civilian operation
It is now time for a “democratic civil operation” because no military operation alone is sufficient to bring anything to a conclusion, regardless of its success.It would be a waste to miss this opportunity
Since the very beginning there were signs that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government wanted to handle the Kurdish problem at hand in a more comprehensive and solid manner.December 28, 2007
"July 22 elections changed all balances...
Kemalist Science and Its Perpetual Motion Machine
[Originally published in Turkish Daily News] Cautionary note: The country, events and characters in this piece are all real. I am not kidding at all Is it possible to build a machine that will work forever without having any energy input? Many mechanics were fascinated by that idea during the Middle Ages, well into the 19th century. But at last, thanks to the discovery of the laws of thermodynamics, the zeal for such a "perpetual motion machine" died out. The scientific community decided that it was impossible to build such a marvelous device — at least in the universe we live in. But wait a minute...
July 22 elections changed all balances
Mehmet Ali BirandContinue reading ""July 22 elections changed all balances..." »
December 25, 2007
"Chatham House: The Kurdish Policy Imperative
Turkish soldiers patrol on a road near Yuksekova in southeastern Turkey, bordering Iraq, December 22, 2007.
REUTERS/Osman OrsalContinue reading ""Chatham House: The Kurdish Policy Imperative" »
December 20, 2007
" Turkish Press Welcomes Air Strikes on Kurdish Rebels
Guardian Back together again Contrary to appearances, Ankara and Washington are now more closely aligned than at any time since the Iraq crisis started. Reconciliation, sealed with a bombing run Air raids on Kurdish separatists have more political significance than military, says Simon Tisdall
On sign: "Northern Iraq." Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Lebanon, December 17, 2007 VIA
(AFP/File/Mustafa Ozer)
Turkish Press Welcomes Air Strikes on Kurdish Rebels
AP U.S military not told of Turkey's plan to bomb Iraq U.S. military commanders in Iraq didn't know Turkey was sending warplanes to bomb in northern Iraq until the planes had already crossed the border, said defense and diplomatic officials, who were angered about being left in the dark
Continue reading "" Turkish Press Welcomes Air Strikes on Kurdish Rebels" »
December 10, 2007
Another journalistic intervention. Milliyet's "türban" survey...
Milliyet survey here.
Defenses by Sedat Ergin and Ismet Berkan and counter attacks by Fehmi Koru and Emre Aköz and Ahmet Hakan, a man in between. Meanwhile, Taha Akyol prefers to be indifferent.
Headscarf debates seem to last forever
A “türban survey” published in daily Milliyet, which claims the number of women who cover their heads has quadrupled under Justice and Development Party (AK Party) rule, has occupied newspaper columns throughout the week, bringing up many other debates along with it....The ‘türban survey’ controversy continues
The repercussions of a survey published in daily Milliyet continue to echo throughout the Turkish media. The report on the survey claimed that the number of women wearing the Islamic headscarf had quadrupled in the past four years under the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government.
Clash of surveys
A survey published by the Milliyet daily and conducted by Konda about the number of headscarved women in Turkey has rekindled the country’s never-ending headscarf debate.Turkey: Headscarf Ruling Denies Women Education and Career (Human Rights Watch, 16-11-2005)
Surveys needed on more than just headscarves
Almost everyone in the country is now discussing the headscarf issue thanks to a survey published by daily Milliyet. The paper unfortunately triggered an unpleasant debate by saying that the number of headscarved ladies had quadrupled in recent years after the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) came to power. The Times Plan to lift headscarf ban angers Turkish secular elite
Turkey Ruling Party Looks to Ease Headscarf Ban
Turkish politics at a crossroads
by ALİ BAYRAMOĞLU, YENİ ŞAFAK
Turkey has serious problems. Among these problems, the main ones that stand out include the headscarf ban, aggressive politics waged by secularists, the Southeast problem, public debt and economic fragility due to fluid external sources....
Religion, secularism and the headscarf in daily life by MÜMTAZER TÜRKÖNE
The above phrase is the title of a survey conducted by Tarhan Erdem’s polling company and subsequently published in the Milliyet daily.
‘Türban survey’ and the headscarf ban
It now seems obvious that the daily Milliyet has achieved its goal of creating its own agenda as the “türban survey,” the results of which it began publishing early this week, has created a headscarf frenzy in newspaper columns.Continue reading "Another journalistic intervention. Milliyet's "türban" survey..." »
December 04, 2007
"Sarkozy makes a move against Turkey- again...
Sarkozy makes a move against Turkey
A new December crisis....
German director Fathi Akin poses with his trophy after the European film award ceremony in Berlin December 1, 2007. Akin won the European film award for best "European Screenwriter 2007" for his film "Auf der anderen Seite" (The Edge of Heaven). REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke (GERMANY)
Turks' inclination toward EU has decreased: Cihan director
Tehran Times - Iran
TEHRAN -- Bulent Korucu, the director of the Istanbul-based Cihan news agency, said here on Saturday that Turkish citizens are no longer enthusiastic about ...
Turkish-Dutch cooperation: The Hague / Ankara
by Hans A.H.C. de Wit
Logo of the Turkey institute in the Hague, the Netherlands.Last week, Myrthe send me a press release about the opening of the Turkey Institute the Netherlands in The Hague on November 27, 2007. Its an independent institute to give the citizens in the Netherlands on a scientifically way, information about Turkey. One of the initiative takers is Prof. Dr. Erik-Jan Zürcher, who is Professor Middle East languages at the oldest university of the Netherlands: the University Leiden. Its also one of the most well know universities of the Netherlands, together with University of Utrecht (where he was Prof. Turkish languages and Culture until 2006, and ranks worldwide no. 40) and Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Merkel Says German Christian Democrats Oppose Turkey's EU Bid
German FM: CDU's policies offend Turks
European Union and Turkey begin next stage of membership talks 18 Dec 2007 NewsAhead World News Forecast calendar future world news headlines
Continue reading ""Sarkozy makes a move against Turkey- again..." »
December 03, 2007
"PKK leader acknowledges Turkey strike
A combination of three pictures shows the name tags of Czech Republic, Portugal and Turkey during the draw for the UEFA Euro 2008 soccer finals in Lucerne December 2, 2007. Czech Republic, Portugal and Turkey were drawn in Group A along the pre-seated team of Switzerland for the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland. (EURO 2008 PREVIEW) REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
PKK leader acknowledges Turkey strike
A leader of the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party on Sunday acknowledged the Turkish military's attack on the group's bases inside Iraq after initially denying it, but said there had been no casualties. On Saturday, Turkey said it had inflicted heavy casualties on a group of '50 to 60 terrorists' inside northern Iraq, and the PKK leader denied there had been any attack that day."....
VOA News - Turkey Claims 'Significant' Gains in Attack on Kurdish Rebels in Northern Iraq
Turkey Increasingly Shuns U.S. Weapons
by Bahadir
By UMIT ENGINSOY, WASHINGTON And BURAK EGE BEKDIL, ANKARARecent Turkish procurement practices that favor non-U.S. suppliers in key defense programsmay indicate a larger tendency to avoid the purchase of American weapons where the Turks easily can find alternatives, analysts and industry sources said...........
Bianet :: Turkey According to the UNDP Report
November 25, 2007
"Speculation surrounds plan over Kurdish issue
Turkish army chief General Yasar Buyukanit and the head of US forces in Europe, General Bantz Craddock, seen here in May 2007, discussed measures against Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq, while Turkey's prime minister said the struggle against the separatists was at a "critical stage."(AFP/File/Saul Loeb)
EU fails to give full support to Turkey over terrorism: Yakis
Turkey - E.U. Joint Parliamentary Commission Meeting
Turkey's EU Membership Process Is Now At A Point Of No Return, Babacan
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party in Kizilcahamam near Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007. No one should be shut out of the democratic process, Erdogan said Saturday, seeking cooperation from a pro-Kurdish party that faces a possible ban because of suspected ties to separatists.(AP Photo)
Asia Europe Affairs : 80% of Screening reports for Turkey accession already sent to Council
Turkey continues to move forward in the EU accession process. So far out of 33 chapters four have been opened and only one closed (Science and Research). The Commission states that 28 of 35 screening reports (80%) have been delivered to The Council and 6 are presently being discussed. Moreover the EU has informed Turkey of the progress required to reach a level of preparedness to start negotiations on 14 chapters."
Continue reading ""Speculation surrounds plan over Kurdish issue" »
November 24, 2007
"Confessions of EU's Lagendijk
A TDN roundup....
Confessions of EU's Lagendijk
Joost Lagendijk, co-chairman of the Turkish-European Union joint parliamentary commission, said on ThursdayImmunity in draft constitution
Following the Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) attempt to exclude “crimes against indivisible unity of the state and nation” from the scope of parliamentary immunity, defining the ideal formula....EU is more alert on PKK than ever
Mehmet Ali Birand
Writers, lawyer express support for DTP
Some members of civil society including writers, poets and lawyers voiced support for the Democratic Society Party (DTP), which is facing closure by court order, during the party's
Police questionnaire invokes the ire of educators
A questionnaire distributed to high school students by the police after a series of seminars on terrorism in the southeastern city of Diyarbakır caused controversy and was criticized by the.......November 22, 2007
Turks enjoying themselves....
Fireworks explode over Ali Sami Yen Stadium as Turkey fans celebrate their team's win over Bosnia in their Euro 2008 Group C qualifying soccer match in Istanbul November 21, 2007. REUTERS/Fatih Saribas
After a miserable game against Bosnia and after an unsteady performance all over the qualifying process, Turkey qualifies for the next summer's European tournament. I don't know why all those people in charge of Turkish football are so happy. In one of the easiest groups, they had to wait until the last moment and only after Bosnia's "merciful" play, they could maintain the winnning score...I don't know I am not that happy. I was only happy to see how "national consciousness" actually occurs. During the game, I crossed the Bosphorus (from Mecidiyeköy), then drove back to Fatih in half an hour. Well, for those who know what this means, it is a record. People were all watching the game and there was no traffic. I began to imagine in what other times, I could cross the bridge in such a fast way? Anyway, credits goes to the national cause:)
IMF Turkey Report Free Full Text
Yüksel Söylemez On a non progress report by the EU
Turkey - E.U. Troika Meeting
FT REPORT - TURKEY 2007 - FRONT PAGE: Two worlds jostle for the upper hand
By Vincent Boland, Financial Times
Shortly after the general election in Turkey in July, in which the government was returned to power with an increased share of the vote nationwide, the Istanbul newspapers despatched some of their best correspondents to Malaysia.
November 21, 2007
"EU-Turkey membership talks to move a step further in December
Survey: Brussels journalists expect Turkey to join EU
Most journalists accredited to the European Commission believe Turkey will eventually become a member of the EU, with a narrow majority identifying 2016-19 as the most likely accession period, a new survey has found.
EU says hopes to open more Turkey talks next month
JTW News - Turkey-EU Troika Meeting: Terror is the Agenda
EU-Turkey membership talks to move a step further in December
Continue reading ""EU-Turkey membership talks to move a step further in December" »
November 14, 2007
"Military court rules news blackout over imprisoned soldiers
Military court rules news blackout over imprisoned soldiers
A military court has imposed a blackout on news coverage of the imprisonment of eight soldiers charged with neglecting their duty after their capture by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK),Released soldiers: Traitors or victims?
A lynching campaign is continuing by some people in Turkey against the eight soldiers who were taken hostage by the separatist outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist group on Oct. 21 during an ambush at their post in the Dağlıca district of Hakkari, and were released 14 days later. The pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) and its three deputies who were involved in getting the soldiers released by the gang are under attack as well.While the DTP has been a source of disappointment as it could not decide whether it is a political party trying to contribute to resolution of the problems of the ethnic Kurdish people of this country through means of politics o....
Eight soldiers
by MEHMET ALTAN, STAR
Expressing the sorrow he felt as a citizen of the Republic of Turkey in knowing that members of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) were taken captive by a terrorist organization, Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Şahin said: “This is a situation that no member of our armed forces should have ever fallen into. 
Presidents Shimon Peres of Israel, left, Abdullah Gul of Turkey, center, and President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas pose for cameras after their meeting in Ankara, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007. Israel will live in peace if it ends its occupation of Arab lands, Abbas said Tuesday, adding that his administration hoped this month's U.S.-led talks with Israel would be a success.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)
Ankara hosts historic visit by Peres and Abbas
Turkey gender gap plunges - Turkish Daily News Nov 10, 2007
Sky News Frontline Blog - from journalists around the world
Caught in crossfire, Turkey's eastern border region suffers from depression
To bring an end to the escalating terrorism that has been affecting Turkey's southeast for close to 25 years, the state should go to the region not only with its military, but also with measures
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, rear-center, and his ministers applaud President Shimon Peres of Israel after he addressed Turkey's Parliament in Ankara, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, becoming the first Israeli President to speak before legislature of a Muslim country. Peres expressed optimism that the upcoming peace conference in the United States would help thaw decades of conflict with the Palestinians.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)
Military-civilian responsibility in Kurdish issue
Mehmet Ali Birand
The missing link between procurement and war against the PKK
Burak BEKDİL
Turkey's Kurdish problem: Three readers, three perspectives
C. Cem Oğuz
Lynching campaign continues, says Türk
The lynching campaign continues against the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), the party's former leader said yesterday. “Nobody can tame us with pressure. We are not the public
Un respiro para Turquía (1)
by Francisco Veiga
Bulgaria's Turks and Turkey's Kurds
Cengiz AKTARContinue reading ""Military court rules news blackout over imprisoned soldiers" »