May 10, 2008
The Kemalist Crusade Against 'Imperialism' (aka the EU)
[Originally published in Turkish Daily News]
If someone had handed out a questionnaire these days among Turkey’s Kemalists asking them, “Who do you hate the most,” I bet two names would top the list: Olli Rehn and Joost Lagendijk. These gentlemen are the most-known faces of the European Union in Turkey and they are among the most vocal supporters of Turkish democracy. And, in the eyes of the guardians and apparatchiks of our semi-autocratic regime, democracy is a “counter-revolution” that should be avoided at all costs.
Continue reading "The Kemalist Crusade Against 'Imperialism' (aka the EU)"
Posted by Mustafa Akyol at 1:09 PM | Comments (2)
May 8, 2008
Who Threatens Turkey's Jews?
[Originally published in Turkish Daily News]
Ishak Alaton is one of the most prominent names in Turkey’s tiny Jewish community. He, as the boss of the well-established Alarko Holding, is not just a very successful businessman, but also a man of intellect who comments on social and political problems. As a self-defined social democrat, Mr. Alaton believes in social responsibility – not as a public relations strategy, but as a value in itself.
Continue reading "Who Threatens Turkey's Jews?"
Posted by Mustafa Akyol at 11:25 AM | Comments (2)
May 3, 2008
The 'Ankara-ization' of The Islamo-liberal AKP?
[Originally published in Turkish Daily News]
On May 1, Istanbul was like a city ruled by martial law. Drones of policemen tried to “protect” Taksim Square from workers and left-wing groups who had been craving to “celebrate” Workers’ Day in this crucial spot, which had become the area of tragic deaths in 1977, in those heydays of Turkish communism and anti-communism. The tensions between the police and demonstrators turned into a street war conducted by tear gas, rubber bullets and pavement stones.
Continue reading "The 'Ankara-ization' of The Islamo-liberal AKP?"
Posted by Mustafa Akyol at 12:02 PM | Comments (2)
May 1, 2008
A Righteous Judge Among The Unrighteous
[Originally published in Turkish Daily News]
Once in a while, a righteous judge steps forward in Turkey and makes a speech that bravely defends democracy and freedom – which are heretical concepts for the majority of their colleagues.
Sami Selçuk, for example, who was then the chief judge of the Court of Appeals, had made a series of remarkable speeches at the turn of the century, in which he rigorously argued for a more democratic and liberal system. A similar vision was presented last week by Haşim Kılıç, the chief judge of the Constitutional Court, in his address given at the 46th anniversary of his institution. It was, as a Turkish Daily News columnist and pre-eminent diplomat, İlter Türkmen noted, a very “refreshing speech.”
Continue reading "A Righteous Judge Among The Unrighteous"
Posted by Mustafa Akyol at 12:06 PM | Comments (2)
