Kemalism
All topics-
The Gulen movement in Turkey
Creating an elite to lead the state
The movement of Turkish imam Fethullah Gulen has relied on schools, educational institutions and clubs to expand to many countries. Many experts view the movement with scepticism, however. They claim that it has cult-like structures and is pursuing a secret agenda, only pretending to be an open-minded education initiative with a moderate take on Islam. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan considers Gulen public enemy number one. By Timur Tinc
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Criticising Erdogan
Don't romanticise the Kemalist legacy!
The narrative of an "enlightened" and generally democratic Turkey, a country that is currently in the process of being destroyed by Erdogan, should not go unchallenged, says Tayfun Guttstadt
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Kurdistan
The future of a people: Good Kurd, bad Kurd
When it suits the political agenda of those in power, the Kurds are seen as good patriots. The rest of the time, they are condemned as villainous traitors. It′s a situation that is repeated in Turkey, Syria and – argues Hoshang Ossi – within the Kurdistan Workers′ Party (PKK) itself
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Erdogan′s Turkey
Spinning out of control
Turkey has witnessed another dramatic week, with police raids on an opposition newspaper, mass suspensions of academics and civil servants and the jailing of the leaders of the country′s main pro Kurdish HDP party. The government insists it is fighting to defend democracy against unprecedented threats, critics claim democracy itself is now at risk. Dorian Jones looks at the latest events
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Putsch aftermath in Turkey
The coup after the coup
Although the coup in Turkey failed, democracy has nevertheless lost, writes Aydin Engin, interim editor-in-chief of the Turkish daily "Cumhuriyet", in his essay for Qantara.de
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Turkey's democratic future
Hanging by a thread
The thwarted coup of 15 July is being celebrated by the AKP as well as large sections of Turkish civil society as a victory for democracy. But the state of emergency and the mass arrests spotlight the authoritarian political tide in Turkey. Ceyda Nurtsch reports from Istanbul
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Turkey post-coup
In times of paranoia
Many observers believe that Erdogan can now live out his omnipotence fantasies without impediment. But the deep split through the state apparatus will not make it easy for him to govern. And the paranoia of the Turkish President is resulting in irrational decisions, says Omer Erzeren
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Interview with the turkish journalist Ahmet Şık
Turkey's coup plotters 'sold each other out'
Journalist Ahmet Şık believes Turkey’s July 15 military coup attempt failed because the alliance between followers of cleric Fetullah Gulen and other segments of the military fell apart. Interview by Beklan Kulaksizoglu
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Putsch aftermath in Turkey
Autocracy or military dictatorship?
What we can learn from the Turkish and Egyptian examples and why both Erdogan's model and that of al-Sisi are doomed to fail. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary in Cairo
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Turkey and the failed coup
God′s gift to Erdogan
The military coup in Turkey only strengthens Erdogan's power – and weakens democracy in the country, writes Christiane Schloetzer in her commentary
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Turkey and the refugee deal
False friends forever
Germany is facing a crucial question. How can the refugees be stopped? Demonstrating an alarming lack of historical awareness, Chancellor Angela Merkel is putting all her faith in an alliance with Turkey. Yet as events of the early 20th century clearly showed, Germany should never make its political destiny dependent on co-operation with the nationalistic Turkish state. An essay by Stefan Buchen
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Rapprochement between Erdogan and the Turkish Army
Short-term tactic or long-term strategy?
One of the main achievements of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been to stop the Turkish Army meddling in politics. In the past few months, however, the president seems to have begun allying himself with the army in what could be a major realignment in Turkish politics. Dorian Jones in Istanbul considers whether this is a tactical or a strategic change in policy