the future of turkey

openDemocracy writers measure the benefits, costs, and consequences of Turkey's path to European Union membership.

Thursday 19th January

The water finds its crack: an Armenian in Turkey

Hrant Dink, 19 January 2012

The "Agos" editor killed in Istanbul on 19 January 2007 speaks for life and truth. Plus: Hratch Tchilingirian on Dink's background, and Fatma Müge Göçek on memory and hope

Friday 30th December

Armenia-Turkey: the end of rapprochement

Vicken Cheterian, 30 December 2011

A diplomatic process designed to normalise relations between Armenia and Turkey led to the signing of two protocols in 2009. Its failure is rooted in the miscalculations of both sides, says Vicken Cheterian.

Thursday 22nd December

2011, lessons of hubris

Kerem Oktem, 22 December 2011

The Arab uprisings expose the self-delusion of the powerful - from the region itself to Turkey, Germany and the rest of Europe. This is a moment to register and build on, says Kerem Oktem.

Tuesday 18th October

Significant changes in Turkish religion and Turkish nationalism

William Armstrong, 18 October 2011

Turkish society has proved to be loyal to its country rather than divided over religious and political views as Turkey’s disputes with Israel have united them into a common feeling: nationalism.

Wednesday 5th October

Turkish democracy: a flawed model

Agnes Czajka and Bora Isyar, 5 October 2011

Turkey’s political leadership under Recep Tayyip Erdogan is projecting the country as a successful model of democracy for Arab states emerging from authoritarian rule. A closer look casts doubt on the claim, say Agnes Czajka and Bora Isyar.

Tuesday 20th September

The AKP years in Turkey: the third stage

Gunes Murat Tezcur, 20 September 2011

A near-decade of rule by Turkey’s governing AKP has reshaped the state and consolidated the party’s clear political hegemony. But this very success exposes serious remaining problems in Turkish democracy, says Gunes Murat Tezcur.

Thursday 23rd June

Turkey's democracy, Europe's imperative

Nora Fisher Onar, 23 June 2011

The result of Turkey's election creates a vital need to put the country's relationship with the European Union at the centre of both partners' concerns. What is at stake is the historic mission of reconciling secularism, democracy and Islam, says Nora Fisher Onar.

Tuesday 21st June

Turkey’s election, and democracy's shadow

Gareth Jenkins, 21 June 2011

The third successive victory of Turkey’s ruling party confirms its domination of the country’s political landscape. But a close study of the AKP's evolving methods of rule reinforces grave doubts about the direction of Turkish democracy, says Gareth Jenkins.

Thursday 9th June

Turkey's “passive revolution” and democracy

Kerem Oktem, 9 June 2011

A near-decade of rule by strategic, business-friendly, moderate Islamists has transformed Turkey’s political dynamics. Now, the prospect of a third successive electoral victory seems to offer the Justice & Development Party (AKP) a chance to consolidate its hegemony over the once entrenched military-led “deep state”. But the situation is not so simple for the AKP, nor so clear for Turkey’s future. Rather, increasing domestic tension and regional turbulence are posing critical new questions over the country’s democracy and model of governance, says Kerem Oktem.

Monday 4th April

Europe’s tipping-point, Turkey’s solution

Nora Fisher Onar, 4 April 2011

The prospect of Turkish membership of the European Union looks more remote than ever. But neither Europe’s infirmity nor Turkey’s widening horizons need be the end of the story. A revived relationship based on mutual benefit remains possible, says Nora Fisher Onar.

Thursday 24th March

Arab revolutions, Turkey’s dilemmas: zero chance for "zero problems"

Ivan Krastev, 24 March 2011

Turkey’s ambition of becoming a regional power with global relevance is reflected in the domestic and foreign policy of its confident political elite. But changing realities at home and abroad present new problems, says Ivan Krastev. In particular, the Arab democracy wave exposes the limits of Turkey’s “zero problems with neighbours” approach.

Monday 18th October

Turkey: vibrant democracy vs majority rule

Bill Park, 18 October 2010

Another epic political moment in Turkey confirms that the country is changing. But in which direction, asks Bill Park.

Wednesday 15th September

Turkey’s referendum: a democratic dynamic

Gunes Murat Tezcur, 15 September 2010

The popular endorsement of constitutional amendments is a small but positive step towards Turkey’s democratisation, says Gunes Murat Tezcur.

Thursday 3rd June

Turkey and Israel: ends and beginnings

Kerem Oktem, 3 June 2010

The new chill between once close middle-eastern neighbours reflects both Ankara’s desire to chart a new course and structural changes in the region’s geopolitics. The outcome of both shifts remains open, says Kerem Oktem.

(This article was first published on 10 December 2009)

Israel-Turkey-United States: Gaza’s global moment

Paul Rogers, 3 June 2010

Israel’s assault on a flagship attempting to break the blockade of Gaza has sparked international condemnation. Behind the crisis lie deeper shifts in world politics in which Turkey is playing a key part.

Wednesday 2nd June

Brazil-Turkey and Iran: a new global balance

Mariano Aguirre, 2 June 2010

The tripartite nuclear-fuel agreement signed in Tehran is a watershed in the emerging configuration of a multipolar world, says Mariano Aguirre of the Norwegian Peacebuilding Centre.

Wednesday 14th April

Turkey and Europe: a shifting axis

Katinka Barysch, 14 April 2010

Turkey’s new regional confidence appears to make the problems in its accession to the European Union less significant. But the linkage is more complicated, says Katinka Barysch.

Wednesday 10th March

Turkey and Ergenekon: from farce to tragedy

Bill Park, 10 March 2010

An epic military, political, and security scandal continues to absorb Turkey. The affair's latest bizarre sub-plots make the tensions between the country's “deep state” and its constitutional order even more acute, says Bill Park.

Wednesday 14th October