In the News: Spotlight on Turkey

by World Affairs Council Programs Team on August 30, 2016

The most recent suicide bombing at a wedding is another in a growing number of events which have shattered the calm and stability in Turkey. We highlight these recent challenges for country and look at Turkey’s internal challenges and its relations with neighbors as well as with the United States

-Carla Thorson, Senior Vice President, Programs Team

“Syria’s Horrors Visit Turkey Again as Bomber Attacks Kurdish Wedding”
 by Tim Arango and Ceylan Yeginsu, The New York Times, August 21, 2016

A Kurdish weddinglast Saturday was the scene of Turkey’s latest devastating terror attack killing 50, mostly children. As the celebration was winding down, a fourteen year old boy wandered into the venue and set off his vest of explosives. The attack, which has since been linked to the Islamic State, reveals the mounting tensions and conflict in the region: Turkey’s efforts to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad‘s regime and well as conflict with Kurdish militants seeking to increase their territory into southeastern Turkey. The attack came just hours after Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim called for a more diplomatic handling of the region’s conflict.

“After Failed Coup, Turkey Enjoys a Rare Period of Unity”
by Ceylan Yeginsu, The New York Times, August 23, 2016

A rally recently held in Istanbul drew crowds of religious conservatives and others alike, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to march against the failed military coup in July, allegedly coordinated by Fethullah Gulen. In a deeply polarized Turley, the coup has unified traditionally opposing parties, exemplified by an 20 plus percent increase in the President Erdogan’s approval rating. This is aided by his efforts to expel suspected Gulenists from government. Yet, even despite unification of Turks, many remain cautious of Mr. Erdogan’s agenda.

“Biden seeks to ease Turkey tensions over coup suspect Gulen”
by By Jeff Mason and Ece Toksabay, Reuters, August 24, 2016

In his visit to Turkey, Vice President Joe Biden sought to dispel rising anti-U.S. tensions in Turkey over coup suspect, Fetullah Gulen, a cleric in exile in Pennsylvania who Turkish officials claim to be the mastermind behind the failed coup in July. The U.S. did not meet Turkey’s demands to extradite Gulen, citing the need for convincing evidence to do so — a process which can take years to carry out. Within Turkey, over 100,000 people have been suspended or detained for suspected involvement with Gulen. Such acts call into question President Erdogen’s democratic rule, causing Biden during his mission to urge Turkey to uphold constitutional principles such as free speech and expression.

“Turkey fires on U.S.-backed Kurdish militia in Syria offensive”
by Humeyra Pamuk and Umit Bektas, Reuters ,August 25, 2016

The ongoing conflict in Syria shed light on the complicated relations of the region on Thursday when Turkish troops attacked U.S.-supported Kurdish militia fighters, long-time foes of Turkey, along the Turkey-Syria border following attempts to secure the area against the encroaching Islamic State and Kurds. Turkey’s army hosts NATO’s second largest armed forces, yet it is working against a US-backed mission executed by Kurdish militia to seize a key city within the Islamic State’s territory — coincidentally an area also important to Turkey. Tensions have been rising in Turkey since the July 15 coup, resulting in a more defensive response to the regional conflict despite U.S. recommendations to the contrary.

What’s in the News — A weekly selection of topics, and perspectives on world issues from the programs team at the World Affairs.