The AKP-led Turkish government’s fragile peace with the Kurdish rebel group, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has come to an end and revived horrific memories of the past. Since 2009, Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) had pressed hard to end the ongoing violence in southeastern Turkey. The government’s determined peace negotiations with the PKK initially yielded results and an agree-ment to end the bloody conflict seemed imminent.
Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan has disappointed many sincere Muslims. He emerged in Turkey under difficult circumstances and Muslims, especially members of the Islamic movement, had reposed high hopes in him but his policies vis-à-vis Iraq, Libya, and Syria have astonished and disappointed many. How could a leader who fought so tenaciously against the Turkish “deep state” — no mean feat — sud-denly fall to the level of an ordinary politician willing to sell his soul to the devil?
Politics makes for strange bedfellows but the alliance between Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan and the Najdi Bedouins occupying the Arabian Peninsula is even stranger than fiction. Here is a quick checklist of facts.
The AKP has suffered a serious setback in last month’s elections and its hold on power is no longer assured.
The Turkish cabinet led by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu resigned today and was then asked by President Recep Tayip Erdogan to continue in their posts until a new cabinet is formed and sworn in by the newly elected parliament. Turkey is heading for political uncertainty because of the erratic policies of Erdogan. People are no longer happy with his performance as was evident from the June 7 parliamentary elections.
Turkish voters have repudiated President Erdogan's attempts to change the constitution by making the president all powerful. By denying his not only the two-third majority but even a majority in the new parliament, the Turkish people have cut Erdogan to size.
Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan has alienated many Turks by his extravagant lifestyle and massive corruption of his family and cronies. The June 7 election will prove an important test for his hold on power.
Before his visit, Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan lashed out at Iran for its alleged meddling in Yemen. Once in Tehran and having witnessed the trade opportunities, Erdogan’s tune changed showing his opportunistic side.
The Rahbar, Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei tells the visiting Turkish president Recep Tayip Erdogan to not exacerbate the crisis in Yemen and Syria by aiding the warmongers or the takfiris terrorists. Will Erdogan take heed? Time will tell but his past conduct does not give much hope. Still the Iranians were as gracious as ever in hosting the Turkish president.
The Turkish constitution does not allow the president to interfere in the day-to-day running of the country but Recep Tayip Erdogan thinks he is special. His constant interference in government operations has caused deep rifts in the ruling AKP.
Unable to get out of the hole he has dug for himself in Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan has started thrashing about violently. His recent outbursts have deepened tensions with Islamic Iran.
Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan refuses to join the US-led air strikes against the takfiri terrorists. At the same time, he has called for a no-fly zone over Syria. This strengthens speculation that the US policy is a backdoor attempt to sneak into Syria to overthrow the government of Bashar al-Asad. Turkey is part of this diabolical plot whose other members include Zionist Israel, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Turkey has a new president in Recep Tayip Erdogan, hitherto Turkey’s prime minister. Our correspondent reports what he saw before, during and after the election in Turkey. After spending half a month during and after the latest presidential election in Turkey, a Crescent International correspondent shares his observations and analysis.
Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan’s policies are unraveling one by one with the latest blow delivered by the ISIS terrorists that have kidnapped Turkish diplomats and civilians in Mosul. Will he learn from the debacle?
Local elections slated for end of March will be an important test for Prime Minister Recept Tayip Erdogan and his AKP party to see whether he can weather the Gulenist-led scandals that have gripped Turkey.
Both Iran and Turkey have taken important steps not only to mend relations marred by their divergent outlooks on Syria but also deepen them, especially in the economic and cultural spheres. There is enormous potential if the two powerhouses come closer together.
Let by unrealistic expectations of reviving the Ottoman legacy, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan chewed more than he could swallow in Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon. After repeated failures, Ankara has embarked on a course correction, one hopes, in sincerity.
Is Turkey under Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan going ahead with the missile defence deal with China? There has been strong reaction in Western capitals against the proposed deal by a Nato member with a serious rival of the West. What is Erdogan thinking and why is he so upset with the US and Nato to go elsewhere?
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan faces an acute dilemma now that President Mursi has been overthrown in a military coup. Erdogan had set up an alliance together with Qatar to act as policemen in the region. The alliance is now in tatters.
Gripped by incessant protests at Taksim Square, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan finds himself in an even greater bind now that President Mursi has been overthrown in Egypt.
