Topic: Turkish Justice and Development Party

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Recep Tayyip Erdogan: 5 ways he has shaped Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was swept into office for a third term Sunday when his party won 50 percent of the vote in parliamentary elections.

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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.
Arab Spring: now begins the education of Islamist politicians

In Tunisia and Egypt, Islamists are being elected into office to take on the daunting policy problems of their neglected societies. But Islamists, too, will be chucked out of office if they can’t deliver the goods. And they know it.
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.
With wildlife corridor, Turkey tackles an ecological crisis

In Turkey, where conservation tends to get short shrift, environmentalists are excited about a plan to create a 58,000-acre wildlife corridor in hopes of bolstering dwindling populations of wolves, bears, and lynxes.
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.
Morocco elections aren't a model for the Arab Spring as West claims

Contrary to the West's view, Morocco's parliamentary elections this weekend didn't signal a bold step toward democracy. They showed just how far the country has to go to achieve real reforms – and how much more power the king must give up.
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.
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.
Tunisia election results: Islamists are major power, but all is not lost for secularists

With the Islamist Al Nahda party emerging as the dominant power, Tunisia's election results have disappointed secularists. Rather than withdraw in defeat, they must reflect on their missteps and use the new democracy to fight for individual freedoms and more regulations on political financing.
Turkey earthquake rescue efforts push ahead despite ethnic tensions

Despite tensions between its Turkish majority and the Kurdish minority that reside in the east, people have come from all four corners of the country to help out with the Turkey earthquake rescue.
Tunisia election result: A first for Arab Spring, a chance for Obama

Results from Tunisia's election show a huge voter turnout but also high hopes for job creation. The West, led by Obama, must not let down this leading Arab nation.
Turkey warns 'other powers' it sees behind deadly PKK attack

Militants loyal to the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) launched attacks on Turkish soldiers and police Wednesday, killing at least 24. Turkish forces responded by launching raids and airstrikes against the group in northern Iraq.
Erdogan pitches Turkey's democratic model on 'Arab Spring' tour

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined hands with Libya's new leaders at Friday prayers today and promised to help their revolution succeed.
Terrorism & Security
Turkey's Erdogan heads to Egypt, unnerving an embattled Israel

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's North Africa tour comes at a critical time for Israel, whose diplomats were forced to flee Cairo this weekend after protesters attacked the Israeli embassy.
Turkish bombing campaign against PKK signals shift in strategy

The Turkish government's six-day campaign that has killed up to 100 Kurdish rebels in Iraq suggests emphasis on military might over diplomacy in dealing with the guerrillas.
Turkey's military defanged: Is it good for democracy?

The resignation of Turkey's top brass a week ago was hailed as a sign of democratic progress after four coups. But some allege that the military was brought down with fabricated evidence.
How Turkey's military upheaval will affect NATO

The resignations of Turkey's top military brass, along with the detention of scores of officers, have sparked fears that the capability of NATO’s second-largest army is being eroded.
Turkey's top generals resign in apparent rift with Erdogan government

Four commanders requested retirement Friday without explanation, leaving the second-largest military force in NATO temporarily leaderless.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan: 5 ways he has shaped Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was swept into office for a third term Sunday when his party won 50 percent of the vote in parliamentary elections.
Turkey's dominant AKP set to win third term

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his AKP party have made Turkey wealthier and more powerful on the world stage. But some Turks are concerned about a loss of civil liberties.
Turkey's shift on Syria gives West room to get tougher on Assad

After a decade of much warmer relations between Ankara and Damascus, Turkey’s tough new stance against the Assad regime's crackdown on protesters should provide Washington and the West with the opportunity – if not the impetus – to adopt a more assertive stance on Syria.
Why Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood isn't the Islamic bogeyman

Western fears of Islamist takeover in post-Mubarak Egypt are unfounded. During recent protests, the Muslim Brotherhood has demonstrated a commitment to peaceful political participation. The US now has an opportunity to support a truly democratic Egypt, including the Brotherhood.
Can Tunisia or Egypt find role model in Turkey?

Turkey has raised its voice for Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak to step aside, as it tries to burnish its credentials as the region’s 'model' democratic, modern, and Islam-leaning state.
Could uprisings in Egypt and the Arab world produce a 'Muslim Gandhi'?

Far from being utopian, the Gandhian emphasis on an ethical politics based on nonviolence and mutual respect may be the most practical path to achieve democracy in a region exhausted from the seemingly endless repression and bloodshed that has resulted from the belief that violence is the real source of power.
Terrorism & Security
Islamist leader Rachid Ghannouchi returns to Tunisia. What's his next move?

Moderate Islamist leader Rachid Ghannouchi returned to Tunisia from exile Sunday, insisting that he's a democratic Islamist leader and that he will not run for office.