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Recent Articles

TURKEY AND THE UNITED STATES: EASING RELATIONS, UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Jun 5, 2009

Turkey Analyst

Tülin Daloğlu

The relationship between the United States and Turkey has traditionally relied heavily on military cooperation. However, President Barack Obama’s April trip to Turkey created an impetus to build a stronger economic connection – provided that businesses find a profitable incentive to work together. But the most significant step toward “normalizing” relations between the countries came when the U.S. recognized that the separatist Kurdish organization PKK poses a threat not only to Turkey but also to America, and Iraq, as well. It was a step destined to ease the tension that has characterized, even poisoned the U.S.-Turkish relationship since the invasion of Iraq.

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The Caucuses conflict explained

May 5, 2009

Middle East Times

By Tulin Daloglu

Of the many troubles plaguing the Greater Middle East, none is more complex than the one opposing Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Or should that read the conflict between Turkey,
Azerbaijan and Armenia:

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The Decline of Freedom of Expression in Turkey

Feb 27, 2009

Turkey Analyst

Tülin Daloğlu

On February 16, Turkey’s largest media company, the Dogan Media Group, was fined nearly $500 million for an alleged late tax payment. Tax laws are complicated, and the exact circumstances of the matter are unclear. The troubling point is that this follows on five months of public bullying of the Dogan group by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Since September, he has repeatedly asked his followers to boycott DMG’s newspapers. The tax investigation into the Dogan group, moreover, began only a few weeks after the opening of a court case to close the governing AKP. Erdogan argues that the tax case is a matter not of press freedom but of tax evasion, yet the fine can hardly be defended as “business as usual.”

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This Isn’t Your Mother’s Turkey

Feb 6, 2009

Middle East Times

By TULIN DALOGLU

Anger is rarely seen as a virtue of leadership. There are exceptions. When Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan lost his temper and stormed off stage during a discussion on Gaza at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, many Turks thought him to be a hero. The Arab streets followed suit. It was almost as though Erdogan had rehearsed his clash with Israeli President Shimon Peres to gain attention in the Muslim world.

“When it comes to killing, we know how you do it well,” Erdogan told Israeli President Shimon Peres. Erdogan claimed his reaction was over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

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Hamas and Turkey; Ankara tips Mideast scales

Jan 7, 2009

The Washington Times

BYLINE: By Tulin Daloglu, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Israel’s operation into Gaza has brought disunity in both Europe and the Arab world. Even in this electrified environment, however, each country has its reasons and differences as to how it relates and plays its role in this conflict. And every decision has consequences. For that matter, here is a look into how Turkey plays its role.

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The Armenian tragedy; Congress ponders genocide bill: But was it genocide?

Dec 24, 2008

The Washington Times

BYLINE: By Tulin Daloglu, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

In a recent action alert, Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) wrote that “[t]he Turkish government, which has outlawed discussion of the Armenian genocide within its borders, is exporting its undemocratic free-speech restrictions to the United States by imposing a ‘gag-rule’ on congressional consideration and adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution.” This kind of talk will soon – once again – dominate the U.S.-Turkey relationship.

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Turkey’s crisis; Financial woes threaten economy

Dec 9, 2008

The Washington Times

BYLINE: By Tulin Daloglu, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Many people are directly feeling the effects of the recession – and the ramifications reach far beyond the United States. According to the International Labor Organization, the current global financial crisis could cause as many as 20 million people worldwide to lose their jobs and cause extreme poverty to afflict as many as 40 million people. This crisis will test the ability of elected officials to make difficult decisions that their people may not agree with. That is, however, the weakest point in today’s democracies.

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Islamic terror?; Mr. Obama’s Mideast reminder

Nov 25, 2008

The Washington Times

BYLINE: By Tulin Daloglu, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

President-elect Barack Obama denied rumors that circulated during the campaign that he is a Muslim, and emphatically noted that he is a Christian. In endorsing Mr. Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell forcefully challenged his party on this issue. “I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, ‘He’s a Muslim and he might be associated with terrorists,’” Mr. Powell said. “This is not the way we should be doing it in America.”

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Foreign policy; New global expectations

Nov 5, 2008

The Washington Times

BYLINE: By Tulin Daloglu, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

With two wars, tumultuous global financial markets, and numerous potential domestic and foreign challenges, the new administration must quickly make thousands of plum appointments. And even though President Bush created the Presidential Transition Coordinating Council last month to help aid the transition, navigating Washington bureaucracy is no piece of cake. The mood of the nation after the election could make things either easy or difficult, and whichever way it goes, the new president will face huge challenges.

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Democracy, capitalism; Disentangle the ideals

Oct 21, 2008

The Washington Times

BYLINE: By Tulin Daloglu, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

The Dow Jones industrial average’s recent extreme rollercoaster ride is a prime example of how “instability” in the world negatively impacts our lives. In one week, the market went from a historic 936-point gain to a chilling sweep downhill just a couple of days later, impervious to the assurances of the government bailout package and bank support that was designed to mitigate the “ups and downs.” But the will – of government, of banks, of companies, and of investors – is the most important part of the equation.

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