[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
Diyarbakır Meeting
Erdoğan Should Not Forget This Semih İdiz writes that “history will tell if the ‘historic day,’ as it is being called, in Diyarbakır this weekend was indeed a historic one.”
The Erdoğan-Barzani Alliance: A Turkish Policy Classic Nuray Mert argues that the Diyarbakır meeting “deserves to be called ‘classical’ or ‘antique,’ rather than ‘historical.’”
Meeting with the Kurds in Diyarbakır (1)-(2) Doğu Ergil comments on the Diyarbakır meeting and reveals its hidden agenda.
Turkey-KRG Alliance to Shift Regional Balance A comprehensive report on the AKP’s alliance with the KRG—its bases and regional effects.
Is Intra-Kurdish Strife the Price of Turkish-Kurdish Peace? Fehim Taştekin points out that Turkey’s attempts to be closer to Iraqi Kurds is fueling divisions among Kurds.
Erdogan-Barzani "Diyarbakir Encounter" Milestone Çengiz Çandar draws attention to the fact that Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan, for the first time ever, is using the word "Kurdistan."
Grand Gestures and Tactical Steps Nicole Pope suggests that Erdoğan`s recent, well-choreographed visit to Diyarbakır was of symbolic importance.
Another Step Towards Kurdish-Turkish Peace Amanda Paul argues that Erdoğan and Barzani are united by their “sour relations with Damascus opposition to Syrian Kurdish autonomy.”
Cacophony Politics Yusuf Kanlı emphasizes the fact that “the ‘tribal leader’ of yesterday was the ‘honorable guest’ of today.”
Kurds Are the Only Winners of Regional Upheaval Lale Kemal points out that Kurds managed to have their status upgraded, both before and after the Arab Spring.
Barzani, a Strategic Partner Seyfettin Gürsel contends that the strategic relationship between the AKP and the KGR has two dimensions—economic and political.
Barzani’s Diyarbakır Visit and a Renaissance for All Kurds Verda Özer argues that “some walls are being pulled down while some others are being built in the Kurdish context.”
Government Caught in Crossfire after Diyarbakır Meeting Orhan Kemal Cengiz notes that the Diyarbakır meeting was held in a historic coincidence, on the anniversary of Ahmet Kaya`s death.
A Turko-Kurdish Axis? Mustafa Akyol argues that “in Turkey, some things are going really bad, while other things are going not that bad.”
What Is the Impact of Barzani`s Visit? “Aware of the fact that it cannot make sufficiently concrete reform moves in the run up to elections, the government took the stage with a peace vision that can overshadow the inadequacy of those moves,” Etyen Mahçupyan writes.
What`s Happening in Turkey? Markar Esayan advocates that “Turkey is making great strides in becoming a country where all citizens will be equal.”
Diyarbakır Meeting and Beyond Beril Dedeoğlu claims that “the government is trying to transform the peace process to a visible social project.”
Alevis, Too, Seek Peace and Settlement Cafer Solgun claims that “there are other issues necessarily related to the settlement process, such as Alevis` demands for ‘equal citizenship.’”
Turkey’s Alevi Question Semih İdiz says that “like the Kurdish problem, predominantly Sunni Turkey has had an age-old Alevi problem.”
Shutting Down Prep Schools
AKP, Gülen Community in Open War Kadri Gürsel focuses on “the war between the AKP and its former de facto partner, the Gülen community.”
Fragmentation Yavuz Baydar argues that “except for an increasingly aggressive segment tightly entrenched around the prime minister, the rest of Turkey`s political and social players are left adrift.”
Government Gives up on Its Mistake; Maintains Flawed Stance Hüseyin Gülerce discusses the violence against Gezi protesters, the intention to control co-ed student houses and the plan to shut down prep schools.
Closing a Sector Down! İbrahim Öztürk argues that Turkey is experiencing another impasse following the Gezi uprising.
Prep Schools: Trying to Eliminate the Result Instead of the Cause “The system that generates these private courses is the incompetency of our education system,” İsmet Berkan underlines.
What Is at Stake Is Not Prep Schools Bülent Keneş claims that “the problem is essentially a problem of human rights, fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law.”
Erdoğan Launches Another War Mustafa Akyol addresses those who may wonder “why Erdoğan, a conservative Muslim politician, would be at odds with a civil society group that also consists of conservative Muslims.”
Erdoğan`s Advisors in Turkey Abdullah Bozkurt argues that “the small inner circle around Erdoğan acts as a ‘shadow government’ in governing the country.”
Why Is the Prime Minister Having Difficulty Mümtazer Türköne writes that the plan to shut down prep schools is not a part of the educational agenda, but of the political agenda.
Prep Schools Can`t Be Forced to Shut Down, Can Only Close on Their Own “The history of Turkey can be summed up in two terms: closing down and transforming,” says Ekrem Dumanlı.
Either the AK Party Is Wrong or Everyone Else Is Instead of declaring everybody who has criticisms an enemy, Abdülhamit Bilici wishes the AKP would review its style.
Other Pertinent Pieces
Turkey Backing off Support for Jihadists on Syria Border Amberin Zaman reports that “Turkey’s fading support for the jihadists is palpable along the border.”
Turkey May Investigate Military’s Burning of Kurdish Villages Orhan Kemal Cengiz says that “the government may launch an investigation into the destruction of Kurdish villages by state military forces in the 1990s”.
Will Bulent Arinc, Founding Father of AKP, Depart Over Dispute With Erdogan? Yasemin Çongar predicts that “Arınç might be the only one among AKP leaders to respect their party’s promise.”
Tired of Brussels, Erdoğan Asks for Shanghai “The more Turkish leaders talk about the Shanghai option (or non-option), the less the thesis be taken seriously,” says Murat Yetkin.
Turkish
Diyarbakır Meeting
Kardeşlik mi, demokrasi mi? Analyzing the Diyarbakır meeting, Tarhan Erdem comments on “fraternity” and “democracy.”
Barişa/çözüme giden yol Diyarbakır`dan geçer! Sedat Yurtdaş draws attention to the political and historical importance of Diyarbakır, and emphasizes its role in the peace resolution.
Abartmayın, Saddam bile `Kürdistan` diyordu Aslı Aydıntaşbaş comments on the use of "Kürdistan" in Erdoğan’s Diyarbakır speech.
Tarihiydi tarihi olmasına ama Ahmet Hakan emphasizes the shortcomings of the Diyarbakır meeting, especially its practical role in the peace process.
Türk-Kürt yeni ekonomi düzeni Süleyman Yaşar speculates about the “new Turkish-Kurdish economic order” that might be established after the Erdoğan-Barzani meeting.
Diyarbakır mutabakatı Hasan Bülent Kahraman analyzes the importance of the Diyarbakır meeting and its role in strengthening the economy and bringing peace.
Örgüt şimdi ne yapar? Yalçın Akdoğan finds Erdoğan’s Diyarbakır meeting an important “political attack,” and speculates about the possible Kurdish reactions to the meeting.
Teslim olun, bu bir barıştır! Yıldıray Oğur censures the authors who criticize AKP’s peace process, and argues that “this time, it is real peace.”
Apo`suz barış olmaz Adil Bayram argues that peace cannot be established and maintained without Abdullah Öcalan.
Öcalan ile kavga edip, Barzani ile barışmak mı? “Barzani’s Diyarbakır visit is of particular importance, however instrumentalizing his visit means postponing, thus augmenting the problems,” Mehmet Altan writes.
Diyarbakır: düğün ve nikah… (1)-(2) “The Kurdish question is the only issue, and the only means that can push Turkey into more democracy and freedom,” Ali Bayramoğlu argues.
Barzani, Perwer ve bazı başka şeyler Yetvart Danzikyan analyzes the importance of the Diyarbakır meeting for the AKP’s politics and economic interests, and comments on what this meeting means for the BDP, Islamists, and Armenians.
Türkiye`nin makbul Kürt arayışı Ahmet İnsel argues that although the Diyarbakır meeting did not bring any practical change for Kurds, it marks an important breakthrough, as Turkey is moving away from its archaic politics and taboos pertaining to the Kurdish issue.
Erdoğan`s seçimi: İmrali mi Hewler mi? Koray Çalışkan argues that those who evaluate the Diyarbakır meeting from a “strategic” perspective find it positive, whereas others looking at the meeting from a “principled” perspective criticize it.
Diyarbakır rönesansı (1)-(2)-(3)-(4) Can Dündar reveals “the Diyarbakır renaissance” ranging from multilingual municipality activities, women and LGBT movement, literature and art.
Barzani açılımı (1)-(2) Sami Cohen comments on the benefits and risks of Barzani’s visit to Diyarbakır, and depicts this meeting as a “win-win” situation between Barzani and AKP.
Diyarbakır düğün meydanındaki hançer Oya Baydar argues that the Newroz celebrations in 2013 and Abdullah Öcalan’s message were the real milestones in the ongoing peace process.
Barzani`nin dostu Öcalan`ın düşmanı olabilir mi? “It is not possible anymore to position Barzani and Ocalan in opposition, and to set Kurds against each other,” Günay Aslan writes.
Türkiye önce kendi Kürtleriyle gerçek barışı örgütlemek zorunda! Hasan Cemal argues that the AKP is postponing the peace process by not taking any tangible and democratic steps.
Kürdistan konusunun varacağı yer (1)-(2) Cengiz Çandar argues that the public use of the term ‘Kürdistan," the Diyarbakır meeting, and the peace process in general indicate a radical rupture with the Turkish statist tradition.
Türkiye Kürdistan`ına hoş geldiniz! Cüneyt Özdemir comments on the taboo term “Kürdistan” and its recent evocation in the Diyarbakır meeting.
Barzani uzaklaşıyor… Delil Karakoçan argues that neither “the Rojava revolution” nor the peace process is in Barzani’s agenda; these, as well as his meeting with Erdoğan, rely on economic interests.
Riskler ve mukayeseli özgürlük Fehmi Koru analyzes Erdoğan’s Diyarbakır meeting from a “comparative advantage” perspective.
Kürt baharına Öcalan damgası As the PYD and PJAK expand their hegemony in Syria and Iran, Ruşen Çakır writes that Erdoğan’s invitation to Barzani aims to control the ever-expanding role of the PKK and Öcalan in the region.
Bir `serab`ın ardında Nuray Mert calls the AKP’s attempts at peace and democracy a “mirage,” and argues that unlike what was shown in Diyarbakır, Turkey encounters one of the most serious crises of democracy.
Kürdistan; normalleşme her zaman iyidir “The word Kurdistan does not necessarily imply separation, it’s only normalization,” Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu writes.
Rojava, Hewler, Amed “Instead of closing the borders and preventing the developments in Rojava, Turkey and Barzani should envision a new configuration including Rojava itself,” Mete Çubukçu writes.
Türklerin ve Kürtlerin `Kürdistan`ı Ayşe Hür historicizes the term Kurdistan by revealing the discussions and transformations that have taken place around the term over time.
Eski bir çözüm sürecinden manzaralar Ohannes Kilicdağı points to the Armenian Hincak party’s manifestations during 1908-1913 in order to “learn lessons from history” for the peace process.
Ohal-herhal, şehit-şahit “Witnessing is the only way to stand up after a long-lasting war, and to look at each other’s faces,” Yıldırım Türker writes.
Erdoğan: dersanelerde geri adım yok, cemaat bize saldırıyı durdursun! Prime Minister Erdoğan answers journalists’ questions about the Diyarbakır meeting, the conflict with the Gülen movement, the peace process, and the Kurdish question.
Shutting Down Prep Schools
Tayyip Erdoğan`la Gülen cemaati kavgası: demokrasi penceresinden Hasan Cemal argues that just as Gezi Park events have exacerbated the ongoing conflict between the AKP and the Gülen community, the AKP’s shutting down of prep schools have also exacerbated the conflict.
ABD, Erdoğan-cemaat çatışmasına nasıl bakıyor? İlhan Tanir analyzes the relations between the Gülen community and the US, and speculates on the US responses to the Erdoğan-Gülen conflict.
Dersaneler meydan muharebesi: notlar ve sorular (1)-(2) Ruşen Çakır argues that the question of prep schools is only the tip of the iceberg.
Other Pertinent Pieces
AK Parti`nin gücü güçsüzlük haline geldi An interview with sociologist Nilüfer Göle, who offers a comprehensive analysis of AKP’s policies.
İki ailenin izinde Müslümanlık ve Kürt milliyetçiliği Adnan Çelik’s research presents the oral histories of two Armenian families who survived the genocide.
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