Atilla's Musings
Reza Zarrab: Beautiful Mind II?
Source:PA Intelligence Date:30Jan2018
Turkish public and markets have all but forgot about the Reza Zarrab-cum Hakan Atilla trial, which involves accusations of Turkish authorities helping rogue gold trade Zarrab evade Iran
Erdogan to extend offensive to Manbij risking clash with US forces
Source:Middle East Eye Date:25Jan2018
While Ankara disputes this account of events, acording to White House, Trump warned Erdogan to stay away from Manbij. Where is Manbij? Why is it important U.S. and how it could become the straw
Turkey Wants to Crush U.S. Allies in Syria. That Shouldn’t Surprise Anybody.
Source:Foreign Policy Date:24Jan2018
A very balanced article on how mixed signals from the White House compelled Turkey to take military action in Syria. Also shows the way forward. Alos read the Guardian article of how
A Sea Change for Turkey in Europe
Source:Carnegie Europe Date:22Jan2018
Proliferating policy disagreemtns, led by Syria compelled Ankara to seek ways to mend its broken relationship with EU. While hig-levle state visits look good “optically”, former
The next Kurdish war is on the horizon
Source:The Independent Date:19Jan2018
The consummate Middle East expert Robert Fisk has divined the future. The Syrian War will last another 10 years: Syria cannot countenance Kurdish presence on its territory and Turkey cannot
Everything you need to know about Canal Istanbul
Source:Deutsche Welle Date:17Jan2018
Erdogan’s crazy project of digging a trench across Istanbul peninsula as an alternative to Bosphours Straits is now a reality. Excavation will commence in 2018. Context and
Turkey and the EU: time for plan B?
Source:AFP Date:15Jan2018
I added this to my “portfolio”, because it a short and succinct summary of Turkey’s current diplomatic troubles. Worth a read for any Turkey beginner.
Turkey, the price of neoliberalism
Source:Osservatoria balcani e caucaso Date:12Jan2018
Very interesting and intellectually challenging read. The view of Erdogan’s Turkey from a workers’ rights perspective. Exposes AKP’s many dilemmas which contniue ot vex
A Rival Steps Up to Challenge Turkey’s President Erdogan
Source:New York Times Date:06Jan2018
A decent primer on the chairwoman of Good Party, Mrs Meral Aksener, who is the only declared rival to Mr Erdogan in the upcoming presidential race. Can she beat him? The answer is no
‘Things will get worse in 2018 with continued arrests and purges’
Source:Ahval News Date:01Jan2018
Howard Eissenstat, an associate professor at the history department of St. Lawrence University and a research assistant at Washington D.C.-based think-tank Project on Middle Eastern Democracy