Atilla's Musings

What Will Erdogan Do With Supreme Power?

Source:Eurasia review Date:29Apr2017

Turkey observers want to know how Erdogan would reshape Turkey after he was granted Sultan-like Powers. This article falls short of the promise but still provides important clues to his potential

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Turkey: Neither Enemy Nor Ally

Source:Commentary Magazine Date:28Apr2017

Turkey’s raids on PKK and YPG outposts in Iraq and Syria, which in our view are defensive and legitimate, are causing new rifts with U.S. and Russia.  Some claim Ankara is using these raids to

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Lawmakers say Flynn did not disclose lobbying and payments from Turkey and Russia

Source:LA Times Date:26Apr2017

This is the story that is making opposition headlines in Turkey. According to opposition websites, former National Security Advisor Flynn received cash from Turkish lobbying entities, which were

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In the AKP community, the “secret pro-NO people” scuffle continues

Source:Washington Hattı Date:24Apr2017

The close vote in Turkey’s referendum triggered large dormant faultlines within AKP.  The official party line is “a win is win”, but the punditry recognizes the power is gradually slipping away

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What Turkey’s Election Observers Saw

Source:The Atlantic Date:22Apr2017

Almost week has passed, but allegations of irregularities surrounding Turkey’s historical referendum have not been resolved. The ruling by the High Election Council to deny the request by CHP and

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RIP Turkey, 1921 – 2017

Source:Foreign Policy blog Date:17Apr2017

The Western reaction to Erdogan referendum victory is generally negative. The press instinctively comprehends and I agree that entrusting all the power of the state to a single office or person

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How Erdogan’s Referendum Gamble Might Backfire

Source:Der Spiegel Date:11Apr2017

This Spiegel article, though I find it biased and certainly misinformed about the polls (they show a very close race) is worth adding to our website, because it tells a very realistic story of

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‘Inconsistent, unpredictable’ Turkey is caught between US and Russia in Syria

Source:Irish News Date:10Apr2017

Turkey’s biggest diplomatic problem is that it lacks principals. Ankara swaps dance partners, whenever the music changes.  Since the arrival of Prof Davutoglu on the political scene as foreign

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Turkey’s Erdogan slams Europe, as latest poll suggests support rising

Source:Reuter's Date:07Apr2017

Massive confusion about the referendum outcome   and its impact on EU:  The Reuters article linked in this review suggests support for the YES camp is rising, but my poll-of-polls table shows no

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Turkish Banks Are Taking Losses on Mortgages After Rate Pressure

Source:Bloomberg Date:06Apr2017

We have long argued that Turkish banks are under strong pressure to lend at low margins and the current growth model based on cheap credit is unsustainable. A recent article at Bloomberg finds

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