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Bilgi University
Professor of Political Science at Bilgi University in Istanbul, Turkey
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Ilter Turan
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FROM Ilter Turan
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Graft Inquiry in Turkey Leads to Political Crisis Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan is fighting off a call to resign today, after three of his cabinet ministers stepped down over a corruption investigation. On Tuesday Police arrested 52 people in connection with the corruption probe, among them the cabinet members. The Prime Minister has denounced the raids as a political plot and has responded by dismissing the officials involved in the arrests, and naming 10 new ministers. Ilter Turan is Professor of Political Science at the Bilgi University in Istanbul.
To the Point
Graft Inquiry in Turkey Leads to Political Crisis Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan is fighting off a call to resign today, after three of his cabinet ministers stepped down over a corruption investigation. On Tuesday Police arrested 52 people in connection with the corruption probe, among them the cabinet members. The Prime Minister has denounced the raids as a political plot and has responded by dismissing the officials involved in the arrests, and naming 10 new ministers. Ilter Turan is Professor of Political Science at the Bilgi University in Istanbul.
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Tensions Rise between Israel and Her Regional Allies In the aftermath of Friday's attacks on Israel's Egyptian embassy, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Erdogan is visiting Cairo. In an address to the Arab League, he said recognizing Palestinian statehood is "not a choice but an obligation." The Middle East is changing fast as Israel faces the loss of crucial allies and Turkey moves to exert leadership of the Muslim world. What's in store for American interests in the region and at the United Nations?
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The 'Arab Spring' and Diplomacy in the Middle East Next week, the UN General Assembly may be asked to recognize a Palestinian state, with the potential for isolating both Israel and the United States. Meantime, Israel is in trouble with its only regional allies. In Egypt Friday, mobs attacked the Israeli embassy, sending a message to the shaky military regime. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan is visiting Cairo with harsh words for Israel's attack on the Gaza flotilla and support for Palestinian statehood. In an address to the Arab League, he said recognizing Palestinian statehood is "not a choice but an obligation." We hear why Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu sees a "political earthquake" he compares to "a new world order."
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Israel under Siege after Deadly Raid on Gaza Protest Flotilla Turkey is Israel's closest ally in the Muslim world, but Prime Minister Recep Erdogan called yesterday's attack "a bloody massacre." In Washington, Turkey's foreign minister told CNN that Turkey wants an independent investigation…an apology from Israel…and compensation for Turks who lost their lives. We get updates from the Middle East, the UN and Washington, where the Obama Administration faces another awkward reality.
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Israel under Siege after Deadly Raid on Gaza Protest Flotilla Yesterday's deadly Israeli attack on a flotilla of ships bearing aid to the Gaza Strip has produced street demonstrations worldwide and a diplomatic firestorm. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a trip that included a meeting with President Obama. Although Turkey is Israel's closest ally in the Muslim world, its Prime Minister called yesterday's attack "a bloody massacre." In Washington, the Turkish Foreign Minister, on his way to meet Secretary of State Hillary Cilnton, told CNN that Turkey wants an independent investigation…an apology from Israel…and compensation for Turks who lost their lives."
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Armenian Genocide Resolution Upsets Turks and White House Starting in 1915, the declining Ottoman Empire killed one and a half million Armenians. For decades, Armenian-Americans have demanded that Congress label that "genocide," and yesterday the House Foreign Relations Committee did so . By using that single word, a committee of Congress has created an international incident with possible consequences for US troops in Iraq. Modern Turkey rejects the description of "genocide" so strongly that uttering it is a crime against the "national identity"--punishable by law. Turkey is now threatening to cut off US supply lines and attack separatists in Iraqi Kurdistan. What does "genocide" mean under international law? Is the Congressional declaration long overdue? Is it worth an ill-timed insult to a contemporary Muslim ally?
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Islamist Becomes Head of Historically Secular Turkish State Abdulla Gül is a devout Muslim whose wife wears the headscarf that is banned in Turkish schools and government buildings. But after today's election as President of Turkey, Gul pledged to maintain the country's secular political institutions. Ilter Turan is a professor of political science at the Bilgi University in Istanbul.
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Pope Benedict XVI, Mending Fences in Turkey In September, Pope Benedict XVI made a controversial speech quoting a Byzantine emperor who attacked Islam as a violent religion. Before he was Pope , he said Turkey's Muslim character should keep it out of the European Union. But he arrived in Ankara today with a message of "brotherhood," calling Turkey "a bridge between the religions." Despite earlier word that he would not have time, Prime Minister Erdogan met with the Pope for 20 minutes before leaving for the NATO Summit in Latvia. Erdogan told reporters the Pope now supports Turkey's admission into the European Union . Will the people of Turkey accept the Pope's call for a "dialogue" between the religions? Will his message of reconciliation help resolve growing tensions between Christianity and Islam?
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