[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Turkey and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Turkey Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to turkey@jadaliyya.com by Sunday night of every week.]
English
Zaman Newspaper Raid
Turkey Issues Arrest Warrant for US-Based Erdoğan Foe This article provides useful background about the Zaman raid and the tensions between the Turkish government and the Gülen movement.
What Is This Fight For? Emre Uslu argues that the Zaman arrests are partially due to the government’s support for al-Qaeda and ISIL.
A New Blow to Democracy and Press Freedom According to Semih İdiz, the Zaman raid will not besmirch Turkey, but rather the AKP and its “New Turkey” project.
Why Are Turkish Journalists, Again, Detained? (1) - (2) - (3) Mustafa Akyol explains the specific claims being lodged against the journalists who were detained in the Zaman raid: namely, that they are part of the media wing of a violent Islamic organization.
Erdoğan Shoots Himself in Foot on Anniversary of Graft Probe Examining the EU’s responses to the graft probe, Murat Yetkin suggests that Erdoğan and the AKP have departed from their approach to Europe twelve years ago.
Journalism Now a Crime under Erdoğan Dictatorship Bülent Keneş argues that the lack of legal grounds for arresting journalists means that Turkey is no longer a democracy sustained by the rule of law.
Erdoğan Showing His True, Authoritarian Colors According to Cengiz Çandar, the arrest of the editor-in-chief of Zaman portends a much greater turn away from democracy toward authoritarianism.
Taking Sides Cafer Solgun claims that the ruling party uses the language of "extraordinary times" to legitimize any and all of its actions.
Erdoğan`s Fear İhsan Yılmaz writes that the supposed checks and balances meant to ensure democracy in Turkey are no longer effective, and that the only thing keeping Erdoğan’s authoritarianism in check is Turkey’s economic dependence on the West.
Is Spying an Issue of Freedom of Speech? Tulu Gümüştekin argues that the crackdown on Gülenist journalists is rooted in national security threats rather than concerns of freedom of expression.
The Freedom of the Press Etyen Mahçupyan claims that the current proceedings against Gülenist journalists are an attempt to address the Gülen movement’s unfair influence on legal proceedings in the past, rather than an attempt to undermine press freedom.
A Movement against Peace and Democracy Cemil Ertem speculates that the Gülen movement has been trying to prevent Turkey’s ascent in the Middle East and the world.
When Journalists Get Involved in an Illegal Dirty War İlnur Çevik argues that the Gülenist journalists were engaged in a campaign against a rival religious movement and were arrested for their attempts to “finish off” that movement.
The Latest Signs of the Coming Catastrophe Nuray Mert criticizes those on the left who see the crackdown on the Gülen movement as “the fulfillment of justice” and claims that the breakdown of the rule of law in Turkey is an omen of even further authoritarianism.
"New Turkey"
New Life and Politics in Turkey: Living in Limbo Nuray Mert argues that the historical-religious mission of New Turkey does not recognize the legitimacy of democracy or the rule of law, but instead envisions Turkey as the “unbounded Prometheus” of the Middle East.
Erdoğan Continues to Consolidate Power (1) - (2) Semih İdiz claims that little stands in the way of Erdoğan’s efforts to continue transforming the parliamentary structures of power.
If Only… Beril Dedeoğlu criticizes the relentless ambition of the Turkish government and the transformation of the judiciary into a political tool for quashing dissent.
When the US, the EU, and Others Are Made Uncomfortable Ali Yurttagül claims that the AKP’s domestic and foreign policies “seem to be aimed at burning bridges.”
The Assad-ization of Erdoğan İhsan Yılmaz compares the contemporary political atmosphere in Turkey with that of pre-war Syria.
Critics Condemn AKP`s Tough Police Overhaul Proposals According to Metin Turcan, the AKP’s new security bill has been criticized for potentially allowing the state and the police to apply the law arbitrarily and harshly.
The New Free Turkey Yusuf Kanlı criticizes the imposition of family values in broadcast regulations and links those regulations to the government’s crackdowns on press freedom.
What Does Arınç`s Visit to HAK-PAR Mean? Orhan Miroğlu suggests that the government’s engagement with actors other than the HDP in the peace process pulls in other segments of Kurdish society and strengthens the prospects for peace.
Economy
Taking Measures Becomes Tougher as Unemployment Rises in Turkey According to Erdal Sağlam, unemployment rates in Turkey were expected to rise, but the government was nonetheless unprepared to address them.
Turkish Lira Hit by Domestic, Foreign Factors Güneş Kömürcüler examines how recent developments in Turkey, along with volatile geopolitical relations between Europe, Turkey, and Russia, have made the value of the lira plummet to record lows.
Heading Toward the Inescapable İbrahim Türkmen suggests that a lack of democratic values will inevitably lead to the collapse of the Turkish economy.
Thanks to the Strong Women in Turkey`s Economy… Gila Benmayor examines prospects for women’s participation in the economy in the wake of Turkey’s low rating on the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap report.
Turkish Economy Living on Borrowed Time According to Emre Deliveli, although Turkey will likely benefit from the fall in global oil prices, without serious structural reform, it will not be able to move beyond its current low growth rates.
Turkish Economy Robust Enough to Withstand Fluctuations Sadık Ünay argues that fluctuations in the economy are not related to recent political developments in Turkey, but are rather part of larger global anxieties.
Foreign Policy
Turkey and the EU: Neither with nor without Each Other Joost Lagendijk writes about the stalled relations between Turkey and the EU, suggesting alternative visions for Turkey’s EU accession.
Erdoğan Has No Right to Deprive Turkish People of EU Membership Serkan Demirtaş argues that the Zaman raid and the ongoing threats to press freedom are damaging Turkey’s ostensible EU bid.
Let the Energy Games Start Mustafa Aydın explores the politics behind Russia’s recent announcement that it will shelf the South Stream project to transport natural gas to Europe in favor of building a pipeline that goes through Turkey.
Erdoğan: Best Buddy of Putin and Ally of Obama? Murat Yetkin examines the tensions of Turkey’s relationship with the West as it begins to build closer relations with Russia and Vladimir Putin.
A Crisis between Turkey and the EU Tulu Gümüştekin suggests that recent criticisms of Turkey by EU officials are damaging the Turkish public’s desire to enter the EU.
Why Doesn`t Erdoğan Care about the EU? Gökhan Bacık comments upon Erdoğan’s growing distance from and hostility towards the West and the EU.
Other Pertinent Pieces
The Jews and Anatolia: 2,500 Years of History Niki Gamm examines the history of Jewish communities in the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.
Turkish
Zaman Newspaper Raid
Tutuklamalar (1) - (2) Murat Belge argues the framing of the Zaman arrests as prevention of a coup attempt is illogical and calls for a unified opposition despite the apparent lack of sympathy against the Zaman group.
Susma sustukça Cafer Solgun states that being in solidarity with Zaman journalists is a must to be consistent in one’s advocacy for democracy and freedom of the press.
Erdoğanizm cemaat ve otoriter maskeli vodvil Ahmet İnsel purports that solidarity with Zaman journalists should be based on democratic principles, not on pragmatist intentions.
Zaman`a operasyon AK Parti`nin dönüm noktası olacak According to Murat Yetkin, the ticket to the parliament in AKP ranks will not be earned by loyalty to the party but to Erdoğan in the next elections.
Kimseden demokrasi dersi alacak değiliz, tersine herkesten demokrat tavır bekliyoruz (1) - (2) Nuray Mert invites all democratic segments of society to oppose the Zaman arrests, which she perceives to be a cover-up and retaliation for the corruption allegations put forth against the government.
Siyasal islamin demokrasiyle imtihanı According to Fatih Polat, although journalists with conservative agendas—including Zaman—do not have a clear history of journalism, the actors behind the Zaman raid today constitute a threat to all.
"Özgür Basin" ne demek? Burcu Karakaş inquires into what is meant by the “freedom of press” in Turkey, citing examples from recent history.
Yarım ağızla konuşmayalım (1) - (2) Hayko Bağdat invites Zaman supporters to internalize the informal rules of being in opposition to the government, while calling for a unified stance against the breach of freedom of the press.
Olup biteni nasıl anlamalı According to Ali Bulaç, the “operation” against the Gülen movement as concretized in the Zaman arrests is a NATO operation that benefits the KCK and the “deep state” actors (i.e. Ergenekon).
Asıl `darbeci`ler kimlerdir? Altan Oymen criticizes the pattern of labelling all political cases as “coup attempts.”
Demokrasi sizlere ömür Yusuf Keleş lists the reasons why the principle of the state of law no longer operates in Turkey.
Yolsuzluk ve darbe Ayhan Bilgen problematizes the juxtapositioning of the allegations of a coup attempt and corruption within the government.
17-25 Aralık yolsuzluk haftası Ender İmrek states that people will not forget about the corruption allegations just because the information uncovered was leaked through illegitimate means.
Özgür basın? Rıdvan Turan, who had been charged with being a member of a “terrorist organization” when the Gülen movement members were believed to operate similar investigations, does not agree with the calls to stand in solidarity with the Zaman journalists.
Gecmiş kinleri kusma değil, medya özgürlüğü için dayanışma günü According to Hakan Aksay, it is a day for solidarity, not a day for expressing grudges and rage.
Demokrasi ve özgürlük hırsızları Hasan Cemal expresses his uncompromising support for Zaman and Samanyolu journalists.
Gazetecilere yönelik dün ve bugünkü operasyonlara farklı ve çelişkili bakışlar Ruşen Çakır carefully analyzes the (in)consistencies regarding the support for the former political prosecutions of journalists and today’s arrests.
Basın özgür olsun ki gerçekler açığa çıksın Murat Yetkin explains why freedom of the press is indispensable by comparing the past record of Zaman journalists and the journalism today that problematizes the details of current investigation.
Yeni Türkiye ve cemaatçi demokrasi According to Ergün Yıldırım, the Gülen movement does not operate within democratic parameters and is self-serving when it comes to democratic demands.
"New Turkey"
Dert Hadi Uluengin criticizes Erdoğan’s and his supporters’ dismissal of the EU accession process as a digression from democracy.
Erdoğan: Putin`le kanka, Obama`yla muttefik Murat Yetkin explains how Erdoğan is able to be allies with the US and and friends with Putin simultaneously through the dynamics of the politics in the region.
Bu kavga ne zaman biter? Amberin Zaman asks whether the government’s continued punishment of dissent will ever come to an end.
Hükümet gibi adam Sezin Öney lists the similarities between Erdoğan and Putin in terms of personal characteristics and political preferences.
Makul değil olağan şüpheliler Murat Sevinç lists the apparent contradictions between the constitution and political practice in Turkey.
Türk demokrasisi, TTIP ve `kahrolsun Batı` Gönül Tol analyzes Turkey’s efforts to be included in a free trade agreement with the USA and the EU in view of its growing authoritarian tendencies.
Rusya`nın peşinde, "çöküş" yönünde Cengiz Çandar argues that Turkey’s turn away from Europe, following in Putin’s footsteps, will lead to economic and social collapse.
Şimdi ne yapmalı ve ne yapmamalı Joost Lagendijk worries about the future of EU-Turkey accession talks in relation to recent developments, including the arrests of Zaman journalists.
Peace and Reconciliation Process
Cemil Bayık`tan hükümete sert mesaj: Kürtleri oyalarlarsa ayaklanırız Cemil Bayık states that if the government dropped the peace talks from its agenda, they would rise up against it.
Çözümü hızlandıracak gelişmeler Ayhan Bilgen argues that changes in the HDP’s political agenda directed towards recruiting votes from other parties could facilitate the peace process by strengthening democracy.
Foreign Policy
Diklene diklene yuvarlanmak Fehim Taştekin analyzes Erdoğan’s frequently occurring dismissal of the EU and the possible repercussions of such dismissal.
Turkiye ve AB: Ne seninle ne sensiz Joost Lagendijk depicts the reactions from the EU countries regarding the arrests of Turkish journalists.
Turkiye, AB`den vazgeçemez Ali Yurttagül compares the state of Turkey-EU relations ten years ago and now.
Other Pertinent Pieces
Merve Kavakçı Meclise Başörtüsüyle Girince... (1) - (2) - (3) - (4) - (5) - (6) - (7) - (8) Bianet’s comprehensive series chronicling the 1990’s rights struggles in Turkey continues, including the case of Merve Kavakci and the veiling ban, Leyla Zana’s Kurdish oath in the parliament, Saturday Mothers, and others.
Durmadan çalışmak sağlığı bozar Eris Bilaloğlu discusses the possibility of a “healthy life” in a country which ranks the worst in the work-life balance, with an over forty-five-hour work per week.
‘Gerçek sorumlular hâlâ yargılanmadı’ Eda Yıldırım’s interview with Mehmet Güvel, a survivor of the Bayrampaşa prison massacre “Hayata Dönüş.”
Bir utanc davasinin anatomisi Hürrem Sönmez gives the history of the Pınar Selek trial that had its fourth acquittal in sixteen years.
Published on Jadaliyya
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