News archive of July 2016

Reporting on troubled times

I look at the pictures I posted on Facebook. On the green patch of lawn just before you enter the first gate of Atatürk Airport, several foreign journalists standing in a row before TV cameras anxiously report on the huge story of the day.

Turkey's shift of axis

In the wake of the July 15 coup attempt, Turkey's relations with its Western partners have taken a nosedive, while the acceleration of efforts at Turkish-Russian normalization has triggered a debate about a possible shift in Turkish foreign policy.

How would Fethullah Gülen be extradited?

It was on that day when President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told U.S. Gen. Joseph Votel, "Who are you? You have got to know your place," that the U.S. administration was debating how to respond. 

TRNC flights from domestic terminals

What does the intention to start flights from Turkey to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) from domestic terminals mean? The pro-Greek segments of the leftist opposition in the TRNC immediately decried the development as a step toward Turkey's annexation of northern Cyprus.

Gov't reforms Turkish army in wake of failed coup

It is not only sacking 1389 more members of the Turkish military on July 31 after 1684 four days ago on July 28 who were involved with or had suspected links to the July 15 failed coup attempt in Turkey.

It is also not only taking land, navy and air force commanders from the office of the Chief of General Staff and putting them under the Defense Ministry.

The Western response to the coup attempt is scary

I hate conspiracy theories; they are not only an expression of narrow-mindedness, but also block common sense and chart a path toward the dangerous waters of xenophobia, anti-Semitism and paranoia.

American beauty

Every time I squeeze a squirt of ketchup onto my food (which I seldom do, I must say), I cannot help but think of Gestalt psychology. No, I'm not talking about a Sheldon case in the "Big Bang Theory!" Ketchup and Gestalt theory has a strange link in my mind, and even more strangely, is further related to globalism and imperialism, and to that of the history of the tomato. 

Turkey's functioning market economy passes democracy test

The Turkish economy has proven its resilience by displaying a normal reaction to an extraordinary development like the July 15 attempted coup, according to Professor Güven Sak, the head of TEPAV, a think tank based in Ankara. 

Civil initiative 'Hafıza Kaydı' chronicles collective memories

Cyclist Çağatay Avşar was killed in a hit and run traffic accident in Ankara on June 17, 2010. The driver who killed him has never been caught. "There are many incidents where cyclists are victims of motor vehicle drivers. Convenience and safety are big issues for cyclists despite the fact that bike riders are legitimate actors in traffic.

The youth belong to one nation: Europe

500 EYP sessions are taking place across Europe and have already transcended the borders of the European Union. EYP is non-profit organisation of volunteers under the patroonship of the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Junker and the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz.

Pages