Atilla's Musings

Turkey fumes as Sinjar Yazidis declare ‘democratic autonomy’

Source:al Monitor Date:22Aug2017

This development confirms the intel that most of Sincar (Shengal)  is now effectively under PKK control, adding to Ankara’s concern that it is being encircled by the proxies of the terror

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Turkey’s Attempted Coup: Why the Regime Plays Dumb over the West’s Lack of Support

Source:Washington Hattı Date:18Aug2017

An important study explaining why USA and EU turn their back to Ankara’s pleas to extradite Gulen and his minions. While I agree with the gist of the argument, the author fails to explain

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Can Russia And Turkey Bury Their Differences?

Source:OilPrice Date:13Aug2017

Since the 19th century, Turkey has balanced Russian power through active Western military support. Now, however, the country, and its leader, seems to view the West as a threat as well. If this

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Can the German-Turkish Relationship Be Saved?

Source:der Spiegel Date:13Aug2017

The brief answer is no. It will  only get worse. Ankara only understands the language of sanctions.   Arrests of German citizens and accusations of German spying will continue until Berlin

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Can Turkish opposition overcome nationalist stigma, ally with Kurds?

Source:Kurdistan24 Date:10Aug2017

While I’m not happy with the depth of the answer, this article addresses a vital question in Turkish politics: Can center-left CHP and pro-Kurdish HDP forge an alliance to combat AKP in the

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Race to the sea: Qatar and the balance of power in the Middle East

Source:Open Democracy Date:02Aug2017

How will the Qatari Crisis end? What are regional ramifications?  The likely winners are Iran and Russia.

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Turkey’s pervasive president may be wearing out his welcome

Source:al Monitor Date:29Jul2017

While I wouldn’t consider this article “unbiased”  it does review the evidence  for Erdogan’s  loss of support and the reasons behind it very well.  It is worth a read.

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Turkey’s Alevis, a Muslim Minority, Fear a Policy of Denying Their Existence

Source:New York Times Date:23Jul2017

NYT should be applauded for bringing  the plight of Turkey’s “other” and forgotten minority, the Alevites, to the limelight. Probably as numerous as the Kurds, staunchly secular

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Reality is warped in Turkey. We may never get it back

Source:The Guardian Date:22Jul2017

All I can say about this op-ed by Ms Ece Temelkuran is “exactly my opinion”.  The machine is broken and it may never be repaired.

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Turkey’s PKK Conflict Kills almost 3,000 in Two Years

Source:International Crisis Group Date:21Jul2017

International Crisis Group  just published an update on PKK terror in Turkey.  Its grim conclusions must be read carefully. The “Kurdish problem”, now encompassing Syria will not go

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