Topic: Turkish Politics

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Syria's neighbors: How 5 border nations are reacting to Assad's crackdown

Lebanon has kept its distance from Syria throughout the uprising, but Syria's other neighbors have responded differently, providing a window into their regional influence and national interests.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 09/19
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 06/22
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 06/20
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day: 06/17

All Content

Questions about Turkey as a democracy and military model

When NATO meets in Chicago this weekend, intervention in Syria is sure to be discussed – perhaps by Syria's neighbor, Turkey, which presents itself as a democratic model for the Middle East with a strong military. But questionable investigations of its military undermine those claims.
Iraq's unity tested by rising tensions over oil-rich Kurdish region

As Iraqi Kurdistan ramps up oil production that could soon surpass Libya's output, Kurdish leaders have warned they may seek independence if disputes over oil revenues, power-sharing aren't resolved.
Global News Blog
Growing like gangbusters, Turkey says Western economies need 'serious reforms'

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan warned Friday that the US and Europe were not doing enough to resolve the core causes of the global economic slowdown.
Syria crisis enters 'new phase' after Assad ignores UN deadline

Turkey is likely to stir international leaders to stronger action after two Turkish officials were injured by cross-border gunfire. Envoy Kofi Annan said it was too early to say the UN cease-fire had failed.
As Syria killings rise, a plea for world conscience

As a UN cease-fire effort in Syria fails with more killings – and the Syrian Army fires into Turkish territory – an end to the violence will require greater appeals to conscience. Will Russia listen?
Syrian gunfire wounds five in Turkish refugee camp

Gunfire in Syria hits a refugee camp over the Turkish border on Monday, wounding five people with unconfirmed reports of possibly two deaths.
Why Iran got huffy about a certain locale for next nuclear talks

The exact words were, 'Iranian officials are not interested in Turkey as the host.' The declaration masks a mountain of Persian hurt over the Turks and their shifting diplomacy in the region.
Khamenei: Iran strongly opposes any foreign intervention in Syria

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said Iran strongly opposes any foreign intervention in Syria's conflict, during a meeting with visiting Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan in Mashhad.
Terrorism & Security
Turkey closes its Syria embassy, boosts aid to opposition

The embassy closure by such a key regional player is likely to increase pressure on the Syrian government. Turkey also pledged, along with the US, to increase 'non-lethal aid' to Syrian rebels.
Turkey hails French court overturning Armenian genocide denial law

The Turkish government applauded France's highest court reversing a law making it illegal to deny Armenian deaths in the former Ottoman Empire over 100 years ago was genocide.
Global News Blog
France brings Armenian genocide bill one step closer to law

The French Senate today approved a controversial bill making it a crime to deny the Armenian genocide in what many see as a political ploy ahead of elections this spring.
As Syria unravels, prices soar for guns, grenades, and RPGs

The cost of an AK-47 has nearly doubled, from $1,200 to $2,100, since the Syrian uprising began in March. The armed opposition says weapons are necessary to hasten the fall of Assad's regime.
Turkey and Iran carve up a ruptured Arab world

Many analysts say the Middle East is the focus of a geopolitical power struggle between the United States and Iran. That misses the primary thread of events – namely, the ongoing soft partition of the Arab republics between Turkey and Iran, with Turkey the stronger power.
Terrorism & Security
Turkey jails former leader of its once-exalted military

The jailing of Turkey's former top military official, pending a trial on charges of terrorism and plotting to bring down the government, is only the latest of hundreds of arrests of those who pose a threat to the government's power.
Global News Blog
Is France's Armenian Genocide law merely a domestic ploy for votes?

The diplomatic repercussions of the vote in France to criminalize denying the Armenian Genocide have been substantial, but so are the domestic benefits.
Is model Turkey sliding into authoritarianism?

The trial of prize-winning Turkish journalist Nedim Sener resumed today. His case, along with many others, are raising concerns about Turkey and its model democracy in the Middle East.
Turkey and France trade accusations of genocidal history

Turkey and France tussle over genocide bill: Turkey, angered by a French bill forbidding denial of the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide, accused France of committing genocide during its occupation of Algeria.
Global News Blog
Turkey and France in growing confrontation over French ‘genocide bill’

Turkey and France traded barbs Thursday, with the Turkish ambassador recalled from Paris. Turkey also suspended all bilateral political, economic and military cooperation.
Global News Blog
Turkey angered by French bill to criminalize 'Armenian genocide denial'

The French parliament is expected to pass a bill Thursday dealing with the 1915 killing of Armenians in present-day Turkey.  Any denial could result in a one-year jail term and a $58,000 fine. Turkey is furious.
Turkey: Materials likely destined for Iran nuclear program seized (video)

Turkey is determined to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon, Namik Tan, Turkey's ambassador to the US, said Thursday. It intercepted materials Iran might have used to advance its nuclear program, he says.
Why Royal Dutch Shell oil is pulling out of Syria

Royal Dutch Shell said Friday that it will shut down all oil operations in Syria. On Friday, Syrian troops fired at anti-Assad demonstrators near Homs, Syria.
Terrorism & Security
Syria refuses Arab League monitors, sanctions loom

Syria refused to allow Arab League monitors, designed to tamp down regime attacks on protesters, into the country. Sanctions could follow.
Turkish trial of journalists raises human rights concerns

Turkish journalists Ahmet Sik and Nedim Sener appeared in court today in a trial that has some questioning the health of Turkey's democracy, long considered a model in the Muslim world.
Turkish prime minister tells Syria's Assad to step down

Turkey's prime minister Tayyip Erdogan says Syrian president Bashar al-Assad should resign for the sake of regional peace.
Teen rescued from Turkey quake rubble, as government eyes lax building construction

A teen was pulled from the Turkish quake rubble early Friday morning. Meanwhile, concerns are rising over subpar building construction, which contributed to the quake's toll and is ongoing.