When the head of YÖK sows seeds of Paranoia, think of the rest;)

check out the other pieces of this roundup. it is too loaded and has fine stuff, as usual;) Sowing the Seeds of Paranoia from Istanbul Calling by Yigal Schleifer The start of the academic year is always a good time to instill some wisdom and knowledge in the minds of young and impressionable students, which … Read more

Avcı case makes us miss the bigger picture: PKK extends ceasefire

a politics roundup: PKK extends truce, calls for Ankara to make next move from Hurriyet Dailynews Announcing a new month-long extension to its period of non-action, the outlawed PKK has urged Ankara to meet its conditions for a permanent cease-fire. (UPDATED) Turkey’s Kurdish rebels extend ceasefire for month from Yahoo news The Kurdistan Workers Party … Read more

PM Erdoğan’s inclusive media opening praised while Taraf journalists spend their days courtrooms…

Turkish daily Taraf has its day in court from Hurriyet Dailynews by ISTANBUL – Daily News with wires The staff of one Turkish newspaper had a very busy day at Kadıköy Courthouse on Friday, with 18 journalists from daily Taraf attending 44 different hearings Ahmet Altan. Taraf’s chief editor. Hürriyet photo Erdoğan’s new stance draws … Read more

Government and pro-Kurdish politicians begin talking… Good news…

Turkish leaders meet pro-Kurdish politicians Dialogue has begun to try to solve the deep-rooted problems between Turkey?s Kurdish minority and the government in Ankara. Politicians considered close to Kurdish rebels have met Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, with further talks set to follow. Both sides however have urged caution over any quick fix. General behind … Read more

Two art galleries attacked in Tophane, Istanbul

No certain information so far, but some reliable Twitter users I follow point out a gang behind the attacks: Youth organization of ultra-nationalist BBP.  This was formed by former MHP members who had a more Islamic tendency. They are known to have performed similar attacks before… Some quick to accuse “rising Islamism” but better to … Read more

PKK extends ceasefire for a week…

It is more or less proven that the latest Hakkari bombing was performed by a pro-violence group within PKK…. there is a substantive chance that PKK may stop violence despite the hawkish groups inside…

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49 years ago elected PM Adnan Menderes was hanged by the Junta…

Actually, the anniversary was yesterday… Adnan Menderes Adnan Menderes (Turkish pronunciation: [ad?nan mende??es]? 1899 ? 17 September 1961) was the first democratically elected political leader in Turkish history. He served as prime minister between 1950?1960. He was one of the founders of the Democratic Party (DP) in 1946, the fourth legal opposition party of Turkey. He … Read more

Latest Hakkari bombing: All sides name it as a provocation but differ in accusations…

So we also learn that BDP and government officials would meet. But it is now cancelled due to the bombing… 10 People Killed by Roadside Bomb in the South-East from Bianet :: English 10 minibus passengers died in an explosion in the south-eastern province of Hakkari, four people got wounded. The Kurdish KCK blamed the … Read more

BBC’s Q&A: Turkey’s constitutional referendum

Q&A: Turkey’s constitutional referendum The people of Turkey are voting on the government’s package of constitutional amendments in a referendum on 12 September, the 30th anniversary of a coup that brought the military to power.” Erdogan raps rivals ahead of poll from BBC News | Europe | World Edition Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticises … Read more

Things get ugly and intense as referendum is close. A roundup. (Towards referendum-8)

The rhetoric turns into harsh and somewhat insulting in both sides but No front is certainly more agressive and frustrated. They play the victim side which is a frequent cultural code to turn to. Three CHP women claimed to be beaten by AKP followers yesterday. The No media used their claim but today we learn … Read more

PKK’s latest terror campaign might be the end of Kurdish gains

Once I stated that Turkish State have lost Kurds after the closure of DTP. Kurdish opening etc progressed slowly but there had been gains. 30 years ago, you could not utter the word “Kurdish” publicly in this country. Now there is a state TV channel in Kurdish. I don’t claim these are enough but such a thorny issue cannot be solved easily. And Kurdish national consciousness has been gaining ground, more and more public spaces for Kurdishness appeared in the last year. However, organized Kurdish response to politics is to step up terroristic activities. Unfortunately not only the guerilla movement but its political dimension, many leaders of BDP explicitly support terrorist activities. Latest wave of attacks are unbearable. It is highly possible that the Turkish State may start an anti-terror campaign in unprecedented scales with an unforeseen popular support…

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In the heart of coup preparation center

An investigation in Special Forces headquarters continues more than 24 hours. It is called the “Cosmic Room”, military’s top secrets are kept. Even copying is not permitted so the Judge takes notes about documents found there….

President of the Turkish parliament and vice prime minster Bulent ...

President of the Turkish parliament and vice prime minster Bulent Arinc, seen here on the right in 2007. Eight soldiers have been questioned over a presumed plot against Turkey’s vice prime minister, the army has said on its website. (AFP/File/Str)

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