Atilla's Musings

In Turkey, demography is a brake on Islamisation

Source:the Economist Date:02Jul2019

The Economist article verifes numerous research on declicing  religiousity in Turkey. It also explains why AKP’s share of the youth vote may have dropped to as low as 20%.   Efforts to

Read More

What happened at Trump-Erdogan summit

Date:29Jun2019

The focus of the Trump-Erdogan summit was Turkey’s purchase of S-400 anti-missile weapons from Russia.  Despite statements  sympthetic to Erdogan and supportive of the Turko-American

Read More

Is Trump Really Headed to War With Iran? Here is What Experts Think

Source:National Interest Date:26Jun2019

Comprehensive commentary on US-Iran conflict.  Consensus among panelists:  Expet further escalation.     This problem is made more dangerous because America’s interests and red lines

Read More

Erdogan faces a choice — and Turkey’s democracy is at stake

Source:Washington Post Date:21Jun2019

As usual, Asli Aydintasbas puts the nail on the head with this insighfull op-ed on  Erdogan’s choices vis-a-vis Istanbul elections and S-400 crisis. Her analysis of Turkey’s future

Read More

Turkey and the new scramble for Africa: Ottoman designs or unfounded fears?

Source:Brookings blog Date:14Jun2019

What are the objectives of Turkey’s Afrian outreach?  This article argues even Erdogan may not be sure of the answer:   A right-sized assessment of Turkish ambitions and its influence

Read More

Binali Yıldırım’s gamble

Source:JamesinTurkey Date:11Jun2019

Actually, this article covers everything you need to know about Istanbul elections   On Monday afternoon representatives from Turkey’s two main political parties announced a rare consensus:

Read More

Can Turkey correct human rights record with new justice reform strategy?

Source:al Monitor Date:08Jun2019

To me, Erdogan’s new Judicial Reform Strategy is a hope of light in a country marred by gross abuses of due process and law and order since the 2016 coup attemtp. I’ve tried to find a

Read More

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:  

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More