Written byArzu Geybullayeva ( Globalvoices.org ) – On July 9, a court blocked access to some of the content shared by Grok, the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. The decision, issued by Ankara’s 7th Criminal Judgeship of Peace, makes Turkey the first country in the world to officially censor Grok on the grounds that the chatbot […]
Turkey’s Youth on the Frontlines of Protests
High school students have now joined university students in protests that have rocked the country since March 19 Written byArzu Geybullayeva ( Global Voices ) – Ever sinceMarch 19, when Istanbul’s popular mayor and main opposition party’s presidential candidate, Ekrem İmamoğlu, was first detained, then arrested, on bogus corruption and terrorism charges, Turkey has been […]
Turkey’s Erdoğan threatens to intervene in Israel
( Globalvoices.org ) – A verbal spat between Turkey and Israel highlighted the country’s complicated relationship with Israel and Palestine and drew attention to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s penchant for doublespeak. During a speech in the province of Rize on July 28, Erdoğan said there was no reason for Turkey not to intervene in […]
Secular Opposition Crushes pro-Islam AKP in Turkey’s Local Elections
( Globalvoices.org ) – Turkey’s local elections which took place on March 31, will go down in history as one of its most surprising. Turkey’s demoralized opposition, namely the [secular] Republican People’s Party (CHP), dominated in what many pundits described as the ruling [center-right] Justice and Development Party’s worst defeat of its 22-year existence. For […]
Climate Crisis: Though Turkey’s Forests are at Risk from Wildfires, the Country is still Wedded to Dirty Coal
In Turkey, when forests are not on fire, they are being destroyed by greedy men in suits Protests to save Akbelen forest continue despite the violence Written byArzu Geybullayeva ( Globalvoices.org) – Since 2019, the local residents of İkizköy village in Turkey’s southwestern province of Muğla have been trying to prevent deforestation in […]
Turkey has a long Road ahead with renewed European Union Bid
Written byArzu Geybullayeva ( Globalvoices.org) – On July 20, European Union foreign ministers met to discuss Ankara’s renewed accession demands and agreed to re-engage with Turkey. In the European Commission report on enlargement for 2022, they noted the EU’s concerns over the country’s “continued deterioration of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and the independence […]
In a post-election Turkey, the country remains divided on political lines
Written byArzu Geybullayeva ( Globalvoices.org) -Showing up at a polling station, as one of the two presidential candidates, in a country-wide election with a pocket full of cash may not occur to leaders of democratic countries, but in Turkey, that is what the newly re-elected President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan did on May 28. The incumbent […]
Strong Showing for Erdogan sets up Turkish Run-Off Election for May 28
Written byArzu Geybullayeva ( Globalvoices.org ) – The results from the May 14 general elections in Turkey were a surprise for some, a disappointment for others, and for those who rallied behind President Erdoğan and his coalition, a victory. These elections also showed how the main opposition coalition underestimated the societal split and the priorities […]
In Turkey, Election Manipulation Abounded in the Run-up to Today’s Presidential Election
( Globalvoices.org ) – In Turkey, ahead of the country’s most important election in recent memory, being held today, Sunday May 14, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) seems to be resorting to foul play and tricks to steer the votes in their favor. There are fake stickers, physical violence, dark web rumors, manipulated […]