Media

Turkish President Erdoğan’s grip on power threatened by devastating earthquake

Source:The Conversation Date:20Feb2023

Erdoğan has a major dilemma. If he allows the elections to take place as planned in June 2023, he is likely to lose them. Even before the earthquake, polling suggested that he would lose against

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Ece Temelkuran: Erdoğan Can’t Hide Any Longer

Source:The Nation Date:20Feb2023

An excellent article lying bare the human tragedy following the earthquake and how Erdogan prioritized damage control, revenge and self-promotion instead of helping his people   For an

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Henry J Barkey: Massive Earthquake Could Reshape Turkish and Syrian Politics

Source:CFR Date:19Feb2023

Turkish authorities’ relief response has been poorly coordinated and late in arriving; there still are numerous afflicted areas waiting for supplies and volunteers. By contrast, civil society’s

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An act of God caused the earthquake in Turkey – murderous corruption caused so many deaths

Source:The Guardian Date:15Feb2023

While the state authorities encouraged unfettered development and construction, turning a blind eye to irregularities, the AKP critically weakened all independent expert oversight. Trade chambers

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Russia Sidesteps Western Punishments, With Help From Friends

Source:New York Times Date:15Feb2023

Apple and Samsung phones also appeared to begin to find their way back to Russia, rerouted through friendly neighboring countries. “Armenia is certainly not the only one,” Mr. David said.

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Howard Eissenstat: Turkey’s government is prioritizing politics over policy in its earthquake response

Source:Middle East Institute Date:14Feb2023

The rescue phase of operations is now coming to close; the possibility of further survivors is becoming increasingly dim. Nonetheless, the challenges facing the Turkish government and its people

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Earthquake could shake up Turkish election

Source:al Monitor Date:11Feb2023

And that means the fallout from the earthquake will be more problematic for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan than it is for his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad. Erdogan has been in power

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Turkish Anger Turns to Erdogan Over Quake Delays, Weak Buildings

Source:Bloomberg Date:10Feb2023

Erdoğan has not only lost the social media war in Turkey, Western media  is turning against him, big time, too.   The criticism comes as Erdogan prepares for national elections in May, where

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‘Where’s the aid?’ Families left to bury own dead as Turkey struggles to cope

Source:Financial Times Date:10Feb2023

Laura Pitel does an excellent job of getting to the bottom of the  problem:  The state withered under Erdogan. https://www.ft.com/content/e92eadda-e19a-4211-8e1f-b50548a95757?shareType=nongift

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WP: Earthquake’s tragic aftermath puts spotlight on Turkey’s leader

Source:Washington Post Date:09Feb2023

Erdogan could end up fighting an uphill battle. “Erdogan in the past two decades has built an image of the feared autocrat, one who is also effective at governance,” Cagaptay said. That image may

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