Turkey / Opinion
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: X blocks videos of stand-up comedian calling Erdogan “dictator”
Pro-regime trolls go to work explaining why the “viral” work of Deniz Goktas is just not funny.
COMMENT: Steadily but surely, Erdogan has broken with Putin
In a quiet realignment, Turkey is newly enthusiastic about Nato.
New initiative launched to redirect Gulf energy flows away from Strait toward Mediterranean
Syria envisioned as key cog in new energy distribution network.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: EU Parliament is having a laugh again. Sanctions gun turns to Turkish justice minister Gurlek
Routinely ignored, the European legislature acts as if it carries some weight in Turkish affairs. Spare us, please.
Death of Turkey’s opposition declared by analysts
Erdogan seen as having throttled last life out of CHP. His “coup is complete”.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: How the Turkish opposition helps sustain the myth of real elections
CHP Party legitimises entire spectacle by participating vigorously in compromised races.
COMMENT: Now there’s a thing – Deutsche Welle circulates Erdogan regime’s line in English but butters up opposition in Turkish
Core tenet of German foreign policy means a public veneer of democratic solidarity, but a reality of accommodating strongmen.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Defiant Ozel declares Erdogan will be ousted by 60% of voters in snap poll
Unfortunately, as per usual, the CHP does not appear to be living in the real world.
COMMENT: Turkey’s opposition leader scales water cannon. Round of applause, but autocracy looks here to stay
Barring an exceptional turn of events, ‘Action man’ Ozel is too little too late. Democracy took a knife to the back long ago.
Why global population collapse will keep the wars coming
Demographers warned for decades that ageing, declining states grow more dangerous, not less. The wars now spreading from Eastern Europe to the Gulf to East Asia look increasingly like the opening engagements of a long contest over who outlasts whom.
Inconsistent messaging on Turkey shows EU cannot pretend to be geopolitical power, says analyst
Gaffe or not, remarks from European Commision president played into hands of Turkish politicians who want Ankara to pursue closer ties with Moscow and Beijing.