Monthly Archives: November 2013

One of the major criticisms directed towards the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government is its persistent avoidance of institutional changes to deeply entrench the democratic reform process in Turkey. Given that the culture in state agencies and … Continue reading →

If it was not for Turkey’s Official Gazette, we probably would not know that our beloved, reporters-tapping spy agency, the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), recently found a new “skunkworks” or “black budget” to tap into in order to finance its … Continue reading →

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) insiders draw a bleak picture of the small inner circle around powerful Prime Minister and AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that acts as a “shadow government” in governing the country. While … Continue reading →

The way Turkey’s power-hungry Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his small cadre of yes-men advisors, most of whom are subscribers to politically charged Islamist ideology, are running the country as a shadow government has taken the nation to a … Continue reading →

It appears that Turkey’s powerful prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and his popular Justice and Development Party (AK Party) have set the election campaign on fear and divisions, rather than a conciliatory tone in a very much polarized society. Erdoğan’s … Continue reading →

Yet another road marker to indicate that the governing Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is contemplating serious changes to affect the outcome of elections in Turkey has emerged in recent weeks. It is difficult to tell exactly what this … Continue reading →

Russian reconnaissance IL-20 aircraft recently buzzed Turkey on two separate occasions, Sept. 22 and 26, by flying very close to Turkish airspace over the Black Sea region from the Bulgarian border to the Georgian side. In both cases, Turkish F-16 … Continue reading →

There are big loopholes in election campaign finance laws in Turkey that give influence to special interest groups, wealthy individuals and corporate clients looking to make bargain deals in return for political favors. This decades-old problem is not unique to … Continue reading →

In a meeting with representatives of civil society organizations during his first official visit to Turkey, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim raised the question of healthcare in Turkey and asked how the Turkish government performs in that respect. Even … Continue reading →