Turkey 
Istanbul Calling: Kurdish Reforms in Trouble
The winds of political change in Turkey often tend to change direction quite abruptly. This seems to be the case with the government’s recently announced “democrati... ...read more
Istanbul Calling: For Controversial Turkish Dam, A Lifeline Made in China?
Will the controversial Ilisu dam project in southeast Turkey, put on the shelf after European creditors withdrew their support due to a lack of environmental safeguards, be brou... ...read moreIstanbul Calling: For Turkey, Peace Abroad, Polarization at Home
I have an opinion piece in the new edition of The Majalla magazine looking at how’s Turkey’s mostly successful “zero problems with neighbors” foreign pol... ...read moreIstanbul Calling: Are Israel and Syria Ready to Negotiate?
Lots of chatter these days revolving around the issue of reviving negotiations between Syria and Israel. In recent weeks, Syrian President Bashar Assad has repeated his desire t... ...read moreIstanbul Calling: Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation on Hold
Over at Eurasianet, Marianna Grigoryan gives a good update on how the recently-signed (though yet-to-be ratified) protocols to renew diplomatic relations between Ankara and Yere... ...read more
Istanbul Calling: Surfing for Brides
There’s a lot of talk these days about Turkey’s growing influence and reputation in the Arab and Muslim worlds. One place where this can be seen very clearly is in ... ...read moreTurkey and Armenia’s Rocky Road Ahead
I have a briefing up on the World Politics Review website looking at the protocols recently signed by Turkey and Armenia to restore diplomatic relations and some of the hurdles ... ...read moreIstanbul Calling: Ties, Minarets and the Ghost of Ataturk
There are two interesting news items in the Turkish press that strike me as connected and instructive regarding some of the domestic challenges facing Turkey. First up, from the... ...read moreIstanbul Calling: Patriot (missile) Games, Pt. II
A bit more to follow up my previous post about Turkey’s plans to purchase it’s first missile defense system (possibly American-made Patriots), a story which I think ... ...read more
Istanbul Calling: Kevin Costner Entering Turkish Politics?
Just what is it about Turkey and Kevin Costner? He may be remembered in the United States for “Dances With Wolves” and several other hit films (as well as for “... ...read moreFollow Us
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