[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Turkey and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Turkey Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to turkey@jadaliyya.com by Sunday night of every week.]
English
Ban Over Twitter
Erdoğan Lost His Twitter Battle—Very Badly Murat Yetkin points out that millions of Twitter users hit back and defied the restrictions, including President Abdullah Gül.
It’s Not Twitter, It’s The Eclipse Of Reason Alternative Informatics Association’s statement on the Twitter ban.
Turkey’s Twitter Ban is an Unjustifiable Violation of the People’s Right to Freedom of Expression English PEN and PEN International point out that the Twitter ban is a violation of free speech and online freedom.
First as a Tragedy, Second as Farce Güven Sak compares Turkey to China in terms of the rule of law, democracy, and freedom of expression.
If You Ban Twitter and Everyone Ignores It, Does It Have an Effect? The public mocked Erdoğan’s ban of Twitter and bypassed it through alternative means, Michael Koplow points out.
Turkish Tweeps Fight Erdoğan with Memes Al Jazeera collects some memes depicting Erdoğan as anti-democratic that began to circulate following the ban.
Turkey Grapples with Legality, Implications of Internet Ban Tülin Daloğlu points out that there is no valid court order to justify the government’s arbitrary decision to ban Twitter access from Turkey.
Twitter Down, What Next? Mustafa Akyol worries about how far Erdoğan will go in order to defend his party and his own rule.
Erdoğan's "Mission Impossible" Against Twitter Cengiz Çandar argues that since a democratic country banning Twitter may be out of place, Turkey may well have lost its "democratic" label.
Twitter Blocked in Turkey Amid Campaign Against Erdoğan Benjamin Harvey and Selcan Hacaoğlu link the ban over Twitter to Erdoğan’s attempt to prevent more new wiretappings.
Turkey Bans Twitter to Save Democracy March Champion analyzes the ban on Twitter in relation to wiretappings and the corruption crisis.
Why Has Erdoğan Blocked Twitter Prior to the Election? Emre Uslu argues that Erdoğan banned Twitter because he expects something to arise before the election that will make him lose power.
Turkey's Twitter Block and Propaganda Be Damned: Revolutions Will Be Tweeted Richard Wike analyzes world leaders who crack down on dissent in cyberspace.
Graft Crisis and Local Elections
The Desperate Times of Turkey Nuray Mert points out that polarization and enmity among different segments of society are escalating due to Prime Minister Erdoğan’s authoritarian and sectarian politics.
Gezi as a Turning PointÖmer Taşpınar takes the Gezi uprising as a starting point for today’s political crisis in Turkey.
Democracy Is Already a Casualty in Turkey Commenting on Berkin Elvan’s death, Elif Shafak argues that whichever side wins, people in Turkey have lost their trust and respect for the state.
After the Protests Zeynep Tüfekçi draws attention to the spontaneous organization of the mass crowd at Berkin Elvan’s funeral, which was fueled by effective use of social media.
Erdoğan No Longer Legitimate PM for Many, Says Writer An interview with Ömer Laçiner after Berkin Elvan’s death on the escalating political crisis and loss in AKP’s legitimacy.
PM Can’t Afford to Lose; Does That Mean Electoral Fraud? Barçın Yinanç comments on the possibility of an electoral fraud in the upcoming elections.
Let’s Assume Erdoğan Gets Fifty Percent Again (1)-(2) Murat Yetkin argues that even if Erdoğan wins the elections, it will not be possible for him to rule the country in the way he has been ruling so far.
If the Prime Minister Looked Berkin Elvan's Father in the Eye Orhan Kemal Cengiz criticizes Erdoğan’s lack of respect for Berkin Elvan’s death.
The Public Pulse Following Dec. 17* (1)-(2) Doğu Ergil analyzes the findings of the MetroPOLL Strategic and Social Research Center in terms of the upcoming local elections.
AKP-Gülen Strife Worsens Ahead of March 30 Elections Kadri Gürsel argues that Turkey will hold the most tension-filled local elections in its history, which turn out to be a general election or a referendum that will determine the fate of the prime minister.
Erdoğan’s Great Patriotic War Mustafa Akyol argues that a recent video produced by the AKP for the local elections reveals an intensely nationalistic vibe.
How Oppressive Islam Triggers Atheism Mustafa Akyol argues that the real threat to Islamic faith comes not from seculars but from opponents of an oppressive Islam.
The No Longer Local Elections Osman Can points that the local elections are less about local needs and services, but rather about a vote of confidence regarding the government.
Why Is Erdoğan Still Popular? Hatem Ete argues that AKP supporters today leave aside their criticism toward Erdoğan to protect him from ongoing political attacks.
Gülen Offers More Explanations of His Views Against Slanders (1)-(2)-(3)-(4)-(5)-(6) Fethullah Gülen’s series of interviews about the ongoing graft crisis and upcoming local elections.
The Fading Turkish Model for the Arab World Ezgi Akın points that Turkey has lost its status as a “model country” for the Arab world after the corruption crisis.
Gül Rebuts Erdoğan’s International Conspiracy Claims Semih İdiz relays his observations from President Abdullah Gül’s official visit to Denmark.
Newroz and Peace Process
Öcalan: The Test Ended, It's Time for NegotiationÖcalan’s letter to salute the people of Kurdistan and Turkey as well as all of the people of the Middle East on New Year Day.
Nevruz and Öcalan's Letter Orhan Miroğlu comments on Öcalan’s letter for Newroz.
KCK Declaration Before Newroz, KCK declared that “the AKP government is no longer a partner and addressee for us to negotiate the peace process,” Emre Uslu reports.
What Is the Kurdish Question and What Do the Kurds Want? Baki Gül historicizes the Kurdish question.
Can the Kurdish Peace Process Survive Local Polls?Özgur Korkmaz argues that the peace process should continue regardless of the results of the local election.
Will PKK Terminate Peace Process? Oral Calışlar points that local elections on 30 March will mark an important point in the future of the peace process.
Alevi Question
Will Erdoğan Apologize to Turkey's Shiites? Fehim Taştekin points out that Turkey’s Shiites are waiting for an apology from the prime minister for calling them “liars, slanderers, and hate mongers.”
Is Turkey Heading Toward Alevi-Sunni Clashes? Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı argues that the AKP should abandon its pro-Sunni policies to prevent a Alevi-Sunni clash from exploding.
"All of Them Steal. So, Let Them Steal, Too!" Mehmet Yılmaz comments on Erdoğan’s hate speech against Shiites, which associates them with deception, lies, and slander.
Crimean Crisis
The Crimean Standoff: Implications for Turkey Can Kasapoğlu and F. Doruk Ergün’s research paper examines the Ukrainian crisis with respect to Turkey’s and the West’s policies.
New Cold War Bad News for Democracy in Turkey Joost Lagendjik writes about the Crimean referendum in relation to Turkey’s foreign policy in regards to Russia, Ukraine, and the EU.
Turkey Also a Loser in Crimea Fehim Taştekin argues that Crimea’s decision to join Russia after the referendum limits Turkey’s attempt to be the guardian of Crimean Tatars.
From Sochi to Euromaidan: Where Is Turkey Along Europe’s Eastern Fault-Lines? Diba Nigar Göksel analyzes the recent crisis in relation to Turkey’s stance toward Russia and the West.
Other Pertinent Pieces
Divided Cyprus: Coming to Terms on an Imperfect Reality International Crisis Group’s report analyzes possible settlement policies such as a federation in divided Cyprus.
The Turkey-Azerbaijan Energy Partnership in the Context of the Southern CorridorŞaban Kardaş examines the historical development of an interdependent energy partnership between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Turkey's Soap Operas Spur Beauty Sales Riada Asimovic Akyol writes about the increasing market for beauty and personal care in Turkey.
Turkish
Graft Crisis and Local Elections
Türkiye'de İslami hareketin birikimleri hızla sıfırlanırken (1)-(2)-(3)”The saving of the Islamic movement is resetting very quickly,” Ruşen Çakır points out.
Türkiye, ancak telafisi çok zor bir insanlık suçu işlenirse totaliter olur An interview with Tanıl Bora on recent developments such as the graft crisis, the ban over Twitter, and releases in the Ergenekon cases.
Yeni iç düşman Mücahit Bilici points that the AKP government has promulgated the Gülen community as an “internal enemy” in order to avoid the graft allegations.
Tapelerle yaşamak Sedat Ergin writes on “living with eavesdroppings.”
'Cemaat'i niçin mi eleştirmiyorum? Cengiz Çandar explains why he has not criticized the Gülen community in the graft crisis.
Laik bir AKP 'masalı' ve yeni dindarlık Etyen Mahçupyan claims that the “new” Turkish religious identity, which flourishes upon a Neo-Ottomanist imagination, transcends communitarianism for the first time.
30 Mart: Takkenin düşeceği günÖmer Laçiner argues that 30 March will be a day of redemption.
Newroz and Peace Process
Direnirken korkmadık, barışırken de korkmayacağız Abdullah Öcalan’s Newroz message.
Diyarbakır mümkün! Yıldırım Türker relays his expressions from a massive Newroz celebration held in Diyarbakır.
Şehre ‘değmeyen’ bir kahkaha“A revolutionary laugh was raised in Diyarbakır during the Newroz celebration,” writes Özgür Güven.
AKP seçimden sonra adım atmazsa süreç biter Murat Karayılan, the acting leader of the PKK, said that the peace process will come an end if the AKP doesn’t step forward after the local elections.
'Süreci ancak Öcalan bitirebilir'“Abdullah Öcalan can merely bring the peace process to an end,” Selahattin Demirtaş, co-chair of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), points out.
Kışanak anlatıyor; Öcalan ne demek istedi, İmralı ile Kandil ayrışıyor mu?“What did Öcalan mean to say, and are there differences between Imralı and Quandil?” Gülten Kışanak, the co-chair of the BDP, asks.
Öcalan barışı halka emanet etti Ertuğrul Kürkçü, the co-chair of People’s Democracy Party (HDP), suggests that “Öcalan resigned the peace to people.”
Sürpriz yok: Öcalan’dan Erdoğan’a yola devam mesajı! Hasan Cemal argues that there is nothing surprising in Öcalan’s Newroz message—that is, he continues down the road with Erdoğan.
Öcalan 'tamam' değil 'devam' dedi Ruşen Çakır compares and contrasts Abdullah Öcalan’s message to Cemil Bayık’s multi-media speech delivered in Diyarbakır during the Newroz celebration.
Öcalan ve Bayık aslında ne dedi? What did Öcalan and Bayık actually say? İrfan Aktan explains.
İmralı’daki görüşmelerin detayları An interview with Pervin Buldan, a deputy of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), on her Imralı visits.
Bir yıla neler sığar: Barış, isyan ve niceleri Sırrı Süreyya Önder analyzes the first year of the peace process, including the Gezi uprising and revolution in Rojava.
HDP’yi savunmak ya da CHP'nin Kürt sorunuyla imtihanı Condemning the lynching attempts against the HDP, Murat Aksoy elaborates on the CHP’s examination of the Kurdish question.
Çözüm sürecini Kürtlerin sırtına yükleyip kurtulduk! Oya Baydar criticizes herself and Turkish democrats, arguing that they have passed the buck to Kurds in the peace process.
AKP yıkılsa da süreç ayakta kalacak Ferda Koç contends that the Kurdish peace process will continue even if the AKP government is overthrown.
Sürecin süreci Creating a “common vision” is an underlying question of our society, Şükrü Hanioğlu propounds.
Berkin Elvan, Alevis and Gezi Uprising
Kürtler Berkin için kahroldu, ya Türkler Kürt çocukları için? Kurds are deeply grieved for Berkin, but were Turks grieved for Kurdish children? asks Murat Sabuncu.
Berkin ölü mü?İrfan Aktan asks whether Berkin is really dead
Gezi belgelerini ne zaman açıklayacaksınız? In an open letter to the prime minister, İdris Bal, a former AKP deputy, called on Erdoğan to prove his claims about the Gezi uprising.
Gezi’yi Alevîleştirmek Ayfer Karakaya-Stump argues that the Gezi uprising cannot be called an Alevi revolt, though Alevis attended it overwhelmingly.
‘Devletin sevilmeyen çocuğu olduğumuzu herkes biliyor’ Interviews with Alevi youths on the death of Berkin Elvan and the Gezi uprising.
Releases in Ergenekon
'Kürtlerin rahat uyuyamadığı bir Türkiye isteniyorsa Ergenekon tahliyeleri çok yerinde' (1)-(2)İnterviews with Sırrı Süreyya Önder on the releases in the Ergenekon cases and his nomination for İstanbul mayorship.
'Hiçbir cinayet karanlık dehlizde kaybolmayacak' derken… An İnterview with Rober Kotaş, the editor-in-chief of the bilingual Armenian weekly Agos, on the releases in the Ergenekon cases.
Other Pertinent Pieces
Sosyolojiye Neden İhtiyacımız Var? Ali Esgin raises the question of why we need sociology following the Pierre Bourdieu Symposium held in Adnan Menderes University two weeks ago.
Kürtlük turnikeden geçer mi? Pelin Yakasız points to the double damnification of Kurdish white collar workers.
Annelik: Bir çoğul deneyim Reflecting upon the death of Hatice Can, Serra Torun examines motherhood as a plural experience.
10 işçi öldü. Allah sermayeye zeval vermesin! Ali Topuz comments on the death of ten workers as a result of a crash between a train and a minibus that was carrying workers to their factory.
Published on Jadaliyya
The State v. Individual: On State Crimes and Judicial Parody in Turkey
The Irrepressible Charm of the State: Dershane Closures and the Domestic War for Power in Turkey
All Politics Is Local: Mustafa Sarigul and the CHP (Part One)
All Politics Is Local: Mustafa Sarigul and the CHP (Part Two)
All Politics Is Local: Mustafa Sarigul and the CHP (Part Three)
Is There a Way Out of Here? or, Why I Am With the HDP
The Turkish Political Map in the Run-Up to Local Elections
Uzun tutukluluk, açık hapishane
Monument of the Unknown Student
“Seni bilen hayran, bilmeyen düşman” or, Why Erdoğan Remains so Popular
Alevis in Ottoman Anatolia: An Interview with Ayfer Karakaya-Stump