Atilla's Musings

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

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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

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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

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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

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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:

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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

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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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