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Prime Minister Erdoğan’s Message on Armenian Genocide
On the Events of 1915 On the eve of 24 April, the day Armenians commemorate the Meds Yeghern, Turkey’s Prime Minister published an important message.
The First Call for Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation It was the first time that a Turkish prime minister has issued a statement on the events of 1915, offering condolences and sharing the grief of the grandchildren of those who lost their lives, Murat Yetkin writes.
A Different April 24 According to Etyen Mahçupyan, the statement was unexpected, but its content was not surprising.
Deconstructing Turkish PM’s Statement on Armenian Tragedy Barçin Yinanç argues that the statement does not name the “issue,” but Turkey now recognizes the “pain” of the Armenians.
What Does Erdoğan`s 1915 Message Mean? (1)-(2) After years of complete denial, the massage is important from a humanitarian point of view and a clear break with the classic official Turkish line, Orhan Kemal Cengiz writes.
Erdoğan and the Armenians Mustafa Akyol points out that the message is clearly a well-calculated effort to reach out to the Armenians at a time when the centennial of 1915 is coming.
The Meaning of Condolences to Armenian Grandchildren Orhan Miroğlu contends that “Turkey is trying to put the Armenian question onto the right track, just as it did in the case of the Kurdish question.”
"Shared Pain" “Now,” Taha Akyol claims, “Armenia and the diaspora should moderate their discourse and develop other agreeable concepts instead of the genocide.”
A Baseless Denial, Rephrased Garo Ghazarian’s response to Prime Minister Erdoğan’s statement on the ninety-ninth anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
Turkish Civil Society Paves Way for Erdoğan`s Armenian Opening “It would have probably been impossible for Erdoğan to make his statement, no matter how lame, had civil society initiatives spurred by Dink’s death not laid the ground,” writes Amberin Zaman.
Armenian Genocide: Turkey Has Lost the Battle of Truth (1)-(2) Cengiz Aktar argues that the civilian activism and awareness is the sole sustainable asset before any normalization.
Deeds and Words About Armenia “Why did Erdoğan take this unexpected step that surprised both friends and foes?” asks Ömer Taşpınar.
Testing Erdoğan`s Sincerity Joost Lagendijk is convinced that “the only way for the government to show that its outreach to the Armenians is genuine is to continue on and tackle some of the outstanding issues.”
Did Atatürk Distribute Ottoman Armenians` Property to His Team? Yavuz Baydar points to Murat Bardakçı’s new book that aims to refute claims that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the republic, did not support the Unionists` acts and condemned them.
Armenians, Turks, and the Shadow of History İbrahim Kalin, Erdoğan’s ex-political advisor, claims that it is best to leave the events of 1915 to historians.
Turkey’s Armenian Syndrome Turkey wants to reconcile with the Armenians without taking any real step to appease them, writes Fehim Taştekin.
From Local to Presidential Elections, Constitutional Court Decisions and New Intel Law
Another Clash Between the Turkish Government and Judiciary The president of Constitutional Court delivered a strong speech on the fifty-second anniversary of the Court, criticizing the government and its approaches regarding the judiciary, Murat Yetkin writes.
"Even Pulitzer Winners Would Be Jailed" in Turkey with Intel Law An interview with Kenneth Roth, HRW’s executive director, on the new intelligence law.
One Cannot Be A Democrat While Defending the MİT Law Cafer Solgun argues that the true colors of Erdoğan’s proposed “New Turkey” are now openly evident for everyone to see.
"Turkey Now an Authoritarian Regime" Ersin Kalaycıoğlu argues that, “Turkey has become a regime where the people have no role other than praising the ruling party after casting their votes.”
A Critique of State and Power Ali Bulaç compares the AKP to a legendary hero who enters a cave to save a treasure that belongs to everyone from a dragon but turns into a dragon as soon as he kills his enemy.
Leviathan in the Lure of Mammon: Limits of Political Islam in Turkey The political leadership in Turkey has created a distinctive form of rule, but growing strains now make it harder than ever to sustain the model, says Kerem Öktem.
Erdoğan’s Moments While the opposition declares Erdoğan totalitarian, Erdoğan’s moments continue to transform and democratize Turkey, contends Taha Özhan.
Cold Turkey: Reforming Ankara from the Outside In Halil Karaveli claims that “left to its own devices, Turkey does not abandon illiberal habits.”
Parties and Political Identities (1)-(2) Doğu Ergil draws attention to the identity map of political parties, prepared by MetroPOLL Agency based upon a public opinion poll conducted last month.
Turkey`s First Communist Mayor Offers "Another Left" Ekrem Güzeldere points out that a small town in Turkey has become the first municipality to elect a Communist mayor.
What Happened in the Ankara Municipal Election? “It is a dire irony that the will of the people of Ankara was not reflected in the election outcome at a time when the government is emphasizing the ‘national will’ so forcefully,” writes Suat Kınıklıoğlu.
Time for Gülen Movement to Decide Hatem Ete argues that the next step of the battle between the AKP and the Gülen Community will depend on the community’s decision.
Presidential Election in Turkey Osman Can writes on the differences between the Turkish presidency and classical parliamentarianism.
Other Pertinent Pieces
The Right to Insist on Taksim for May Day “This year, Taksim might have seen another pleasant May Day celebration since the PM decided to not allow it,” Özgür Korkmaz writes.
KRG Trench Divides Syrian, Iraqi Kurds Fehim Taştekin argues that the ditch dug by the Kurdistan Regional Government at Rojava, separating Syrian and Iraqi Kurds, adds another layer of complexity to the regional conflict.
Books for Prisoners Büşra Ersanlı explains the role books play in detention.
Turkey`s Atheists Get Organized Semih İdiz presents Turkey’s Association of Atheists.
Study Reveals Increasing Hate Speech in Turkish Press A recent study conducted by the Hrant Dink Foundation has found distressing levels of hate speech directed at minorities in Turkish papers, Mehveş Evin points out.
Two in Three Children Live in Severe Material Deprivation According to Seyfettin Gürsel, Gökçe Uysal and Melike Kökkızıl, 24.8 percent of children in Turkey live in basic material deprivation.
Turkey and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Motives and Consequences Stephen Blank argues that the AKP government’s seriousness about joining the SCO is not open to question.
Turkish
Prime Minister Erdoğan’s Message on Armenian Genocide
Sayın Başbakanımızın 1915 olaylarına ilişkin mesajı Prime Minister Erdoğan’s official message regarding “1915 events.”
Yetvart Danzikyan yazdı: Erdoğan’ın 24 Nisan açılımı ve ‘ama’lar Yetvart Danzikyan argues that Erdoğan’s condolence for the Armenian Genocide is important, yet there are big “buts.”
Erdoğan`ın 24 Nisan mesajı ve samimiyet sorunu Ruşen Çakır discusses Erdoğan’s sincerity.
Heyecanlandırmadı, çünkü biz çok değiştik! “We did not get excited, because we have changed a lot,” writes Taner Akçam.
1915 karşısında Türk toplumu (1)-(2) Ali Bayramoğlu defines recent debates on the Armenian Genocide as a potential tool to deconstruct Turkish identity and, more importantly, a venue for the whole society to face the questions of history and identity.
Bizim buyuk caresizligimiz Although Erdoğan’s condolence is a rupture in hegemonic state discourse, it is from the same person who reproduces undemocratic, discriminatory, and exclusionary discourses in other venues, Orhan Kemal Cengiz writes.
1915`te yaşanan acıların önündeki "sözde" ayıbının bittiği gün Despite its problems, Erdoğan’s condolence puts an end to the shame of calling the Armenian genocide “so-called,” Murat Sabuncu argues.
Taziye dileyen devlet yüzleşebilir mi? “Can the state, who offers condolences, face the Genocide?” asks Akif Emre.
Büyük bir adım, tarihî bir dönüm noktası (1)-(2) Halil Berktay finds Erdoğan’s message a historical breakthrough.
Ermeni meselesiyle yüzleşmek Soli Ozel argues that Erdoğan’s message opens up a space for society to face its history.
Taziye iyi, gidişat kötü Nuray Mert compares Erdoğan’s condolences to the increasing intolerance towards any sorts of difference in Turkey.
Taziye Murat Belge applauds Erdoğan for being the first prime minister in Turkey who has offered condolences to Armenians.
‘Enişte niye öptü?’ Huseyin Ali draws parallels between Erdoğan’s condolence message and the AKP’s stalling policies for the Kurdish question.
1915 Soykırımı’yla yüzleşmek… Eren Keskin writes on the necessity of naming “1915” as genocide.
Ümit Kurt: Yüzyıllık tedirginlik Tugba Tekerek interviews Ümit Kurt from Clark University about the Islamization of Armenians.
24 Nisan 1915′te ne mi oldu? Ümit Kurt analyzes what exactly happened on 24 April 1915 and how events have been obscured by denial politics.
Ermeni katliamına karşı çıkan İslam âlimleri İbrahim Sediyani draws attention to Kurdish Islamic scholars who were against the Armenian Genocide.
Ermeni soykırımı ve Müslüman milliyetçiliği Mucahit Bilici argues that not Islam but Muslims are responsible for the Genocide.
Milletimi lekeden kurtarmak istiyorum (1)-(2) Zeki Sarıhan draws attention to the story of Mehmet Celal Bey, who was the governor of Halep and Konya during the displacement of Armenians and suspended from his office due to his opposition to the displacement.
‘1915, Kürtler açısından daha temel ve kurucu bir yere sahip’ An interview with Namık Kemal Dinç and Adnan Çelik, who conducted oral history research about 1915 with Kurds settling in and around Diyarbakir.
Farklı kesimlerden 24 Nisan mesajları Messages from journalists and intellectuals on 24 April.
Dedeler, torunlar, ‘bizim Ermeniler’ ve lobiler (1)-(2) Özge Ispir writes about her family story, which touches upon the atrocities and displacement that Armenians have endured, and discusses possible ways for recognition and redress of past injustices.
From Local to Presidential Elections, Constitutional Court Decisions, and New Intel Law
Mahkememiz Başkanı Sayın Haşim Kilic`ın Anayasa Mahkemesi`nin 52. kuruluş yıldönümünde yapmış olduğu açış konuşması The much-debated speech of the president of Constitutional Court, Haşim Kılıç, on the fifty-second anniversary of the Court, criticizing the government and its approaches regarding the judiciary.
"Karma" demokrasimiz fabrika ayarı mı? The political system in Turkey has always been structured as a hybrid of authoritarianism and democracy, argues M. Şükrü Hanioğlu.
Erdoğan`in adayligi Tarhan Erdem discusses the “risks” in the case of Erdoğan’s candidacy for presidential elections.
Millilik: Ulusalcılardan AKP’ye (1)-(2) Etyen Mahcupyan argues that the AKP is re-defining the contours of “national.”
Erdoğan’a karşı gerçek bir muhafazakar demokrat, diktaya karşı otantik burjuvazi According to Cihan Tugal, constructing the main conflict in Turkey as between “oppressor secular” and “oppressed religious” is itself a political project, which cannot capture the reality.
Erdoğan`ın en kullanışlı kozunu boşa çıkaracak bir adayla neler olabilir? Erdoğan’s most effective weapon is playing into “conservative sensibilities,” claims Ömer Laçiner.
Yerel seçimler sonrası sandık ve seçmen analizi KONDA’s after-elections voting behavior analysis.
Gençler ve yerel seçimler Yüksel Taşkın analyzes the voting behavior of youth.
`Erdoğan halkın adamı` An interview with Binnaz Toprak, an MP from the CHP, about elections, the AKP’s success/CHP’s failure, and Erdoğan-Gülen struggle.
Savaş bitti ve Cemaat kayıp mı etti? “The Gülen community is doing its best to deepen the isolation of Erdoğan in the international arena,” writes Ruşen Çakır.
‘Barzani’nin küçük Kürdistan çözümü ve ayrı ulus-devlet Kürtler lehine değil’ (1)-(2) Aydın Engin’s interviews with two Kurdish politicians, Remzi Kartal and Zubeyir Aydar, on the Kurdish question in the light of presidential elections.
17 Aralık sonrası medya etiği ve hukuk Ragıp Duran comments on media ethics, law, and “national security” in the wake of the 17 December leaks.
HDP-BDP Merger
Beyaz Turkler de bize oy verecek An interview with Sebahat Tuncel, co-president of the HDP, about the HDP-BDP merger.
HDP gerçeği; nedenler, öneriler (1)-(2) Delil Karakoçan argues that the main aim of the HDP is not to become an “election party” but to transform Turkey’s Left and to create a political landscape for collective struggle and solidarity.
HDP, solcular ve demokratlar Erol Katırcıoğlu defines the HDP as an alternative place for leftists and democrats.
Cemil Bayık, HDP-BDP tartışmalarını yorumladı An interview with Cemil Bayik, KCK Executive Council co-president, about the BDP’s merging into the HDP, and the future of the peace process.
HDP Kürtleri Türkiyelileşmiyor, Türk solunu ‘Kürtleşiyor’ Murat Aksoy argues that the BDP’s merging with the HDP is in line with Öcalan’s goal of allying the Kurdish movement with Turkey’s Left.
HDP-1: imkânlar ve ihtimâller Murat Paker speculates over the potentials and alternatives that the HDP can offer.
İslam ile siyaset Yıldırım Türker argues that the HDP-BDP should embrace the secularist tradition.
Other Pertinent Pieces
Hasan Cemal`in Rojava yazilari (1)-(2)-(3)-(4)-(5)-(6)-(7)-(8)-(9)-(10) Hasan Cemal’s series of articles about Rojava.
Bildigin Ekonomi “Bildigin Ekonomi” is a website, both in Turkish and English, which shares statistical data and comprehensive analyses about Turkey’s political economy.
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