Atilla's Musings

Two excellent articles on Turkey’s future

Source:European Council on Foreign Relations Date:04Jun2019

We’ve been wondering for a long time whether Turkey is capable of change.   Two recent articles shed light on the question.   The first is by Council on Foreign Relations:  

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EU Commission Turkey 2019 Report

Source:EU Commission Date:01Jun2019

This is one of the smot scathing progress reports ever issued by the Commission.  A few key paragraphs will illustrate why it angered Ankara:   Beyond the Inquiry Commission on the State of

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Turkey and Russia are Bitter Frenemies

Source:Foreign Policy Date:29May2019

Given their largely opposing interests in the Middle East, Russian and Turkish cooperation faces real limits. Although the two countries will likely continue to be partners—and may draw closer

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Erdogan’s alliance with the deep state

Source:Asia Times Date:23May2019

This is speculative yet plausible theory advanced by noted Turkey affairs scholar and dissident Omer Taspianr about the nullifcation of Istanbul elections.  It was decided jointly by Erdogan and

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Options for the EU-Turkey Relationship

Source:Carnegie Europe Date:05May2019

As usual, an excellent assessment of  Turkey-EU relations by Marc Pierini which manages to encompass Turkey’s  economic and democratic dilemmas in the process:   This is the paragraph

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Turkey: Is mob violence undermining democracy?

Source:Deutsche Welle Date:04May2019

An article which resonates at so many levels. First, it may provide an explanation why CHP might win a re-run of Istanbul election. Secodnly, it offers a background to troubled history of

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Why Turkey and America Cannot Compromise in Syria

Source:Foreign Policy Research Institute Date:03May2019

After three days of talks in Turkey, representatives from Washington and Ankara failed to reach agreement on the terms of a proposed safe zone in northeastern Syria. The two sides, treaty allies

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This report created a furor in Turkey

Source:UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Date:02May2019

The annual UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM created a fury of criticism in Turkey, with pro-AKP daily SABAH reporting:  “Turkey slammed the U.S. 2019 annual

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In Turkey, Erdogan Is Still Calling All the Shots

Source:Foreign Policy Date:29Apr2019

This is an article, with which I completely disagree.  In my view it perpetues the defeatist view of an all powerful Erdogan holding his and the nation’s destiny in his hands, and his hands

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Venezuela’s Trade Scheme With Turkey Is Enriching a Mysterious Maduro Crony

Source:Bloomberg Date:25Apr2019

Could this be the next Reza  Zarrab affair for Turkey?   Venezuela now finds its business partnership with Turkey in the crosshairs of several law enforcement organizations around the world.

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