Turkey

By Ihsan Yilmaz and Erdoan Shipoli | – Votes are still being counted in local elections that took place across Turkey on Sunday, but so far it appears that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s party has lost key cities and towns. That includes the Turkish capital Ankara, which has been run by Islamist mayors for the […]

Islamophobia

New Gallipoli: Turkey & Australia in War of Words over NZ Mosque Massacre

AFP

By Andrew BEATTY | – Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned “reckless” and “highly offensive” comments made by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the wake of the Christchurch massacre, warning he would consider “all options” in reviewing ties. On the campaign trail, the Turkish leader has used video footage of the terror attack that killed […]

Russia

Despite Pentagon Threats, Turkey’s Erdogan Set on Russian S-400 Anti-Aircraft Batteries

Juan Cole

Ankara (AFP) – Turkey’s deal to buy Russian S-400 missile defence systems had “nothing to do” with the security of the US, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday after a Pentagon warning. He was speaking a day after Washington warned Ankara of “grave consequences” should the deal go ahead. “It is very clear why Turkey […]

Feminism

Turkish Pop Star’s Case Highlights Violence against Women

Raziye Akkoc

By Raziye Akkoc | – Ankara (AFP) – When Turkish pop star Sila reported her partner’s physical violence to police, it was a rare moment in Turkish history: a celebrity speaking out against her abuse. Ahmet Kural, a famous actor, is accused of beating the singer, whose full name is Sila Gencoglu, in October. Kural’s […]

Kurds

Syria Kurds Reject proposed “safe zone” under Turkey Control

Middle East Monitor

The Kurds in Syria yesterday rejected a US proposal to establish a 20 mile safe zone on the Syrian-Turkish border under Turkey’s control. Kurdish leader Aldar Khalil instead proposed that the UN deploy peacekeeping troops along the separation line between Turkish and Kurdish fighters, saying: “Other options cannot be accepted because they infringe on the […]

Kurds

Turkey will set up and itself Manage Syria ‘Security Zone’ after Trump Call

Fulya Ozerkan

By Fulya OZERKAN | – Istanbul (AFP) – Turkey welcomed the planned withdrawal of some 2,000 US troops from Syria but the future of US-backed Kurdish militia forces there labelled terrorists by Ankara has poisoned US-Turkish ties Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that Ankara would set up a “security zone” in northern Syria […]

Donald Trump

Trump: “We’ll Devastate Turkey Economically” if it Hits Syrian Kurds

AFP

Washington, DC (AFP) – President Donald Trump warned Turkey on Sunday of economic devastation if it attacks Kurdish forces in the wake of the US troop pullout from Syria, while also urging the Kurds not to “provoke” Ankara. Trump took to Twitter to reveal some of his latest thoughts in the slow drip-drip of information […]

Donald Trump

Turkey’s Erdogan snubs Bolton for support of Kurdish YPG: ‘He made a grave Mistake’

AFP

By Luana Sarmini-Buonaccorsi and Fulya Ozerkan in Istanbul – Ankara, Turkey | AFP | – US National Security Advisor John Bolton was in Ankara to discuss the planned US withdrawal from Syria Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday condemned comments by a key US envoy over the future of a US-allied Syrian Kurdish militia […]

Kurds

How will Trump’s Withdrawal from Syria Affect the Turkish-Kurdish Conflict?

The Conversation

By Dilan Okcuoglu | – Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria is likely to help ISIS adopt a new strategy and expand its territorial control while at the same time continuing its execution of unarmed civilians. The move also means Trump has stabbed in the back his most successful military partner, […]