Aslan Amani - openDemocracy

A post-Soviet dictatorship vs. an academic researcher

Alexander Sodiqov, a University of Toronto PhD candidate, was detained on June 16 by the Tajik KGB while he was conducting academic research in the country’s Gorno-Badakhshan province. His arrest has sent shockwaves through academic communities in Europe and North America.

By Aslan Amani

/ 7 Jul 2014

How Europe failed Azerbaijan

Since Azerbaijan joined the Council of Europe in 2001, the country's grim human rights record has only become worse. The Council's and EU's ambiguous reactions to the October 9 presidential election raise new questions about Europe's role in Azerbaijan's transition to democracy.

By Aslan Amani

/ 22 Oct 2013

How Europe failed Azerbaijan

Since Azerbaijan joined the Council of Europe in 2001, the country's grim human rights record has only become worse. The Council's and EU's ambiguous reactions to the October 9 presidential election raise new questions about Europe's role in Azerbaijan's transition to democracy.

By Aslan Amani

/ 22 Oct 2013

Football in Turkey: A force for liberalisation and modernity?

The relationship between football and society in Turkey is unique and complex. Behind the corruption and fanaticism lies a culture that is challenging outdated social attitudes and leading Turkey's European aspirations.

By Aslan Amani

/ 19 Jul 2013

Football in Turkey: A force for liberalisation and modernity?

The relationship between football and society in Turkey is unique and complex. Behind the corruption and fanaticism lies a culture that is challenging outdated social attitudes and leading Turkey's European aspirations.

By Aslan Amani

/ 19 Jul 2013

Why the Turkish protests are necessary, but not sufficient

The crackdown on Turkish protesters and Prime Minister Erdogan's refusal to accept the demonstrations as legitimate represent another deviation from the country's fragile commitment to democracy. But this may also offer a new hope for the leftist opposition in Turkey - will they take it?

By Aslan Amani

/ 10 Jun 2013

Azerbaijan in an election year

Ahead of a presidential election scheduled in October, a profile of Azerbaijan; its political and economic challenges, and some potential solutions.

By Aslan Amani and Robert C. Austin

/ 2 May 2013

Media freedom in Turkey: just how bad is it?

Turkey has more journalists in prison than any other country, and ranks low on indices of press freedom. Just how bad is the situation, and how can it be ameliorated?

By Aslan Amani

/ 25 Apr 2013

Peace in Cyprus: Is it more likely today than it was in 2004?

The 2004 Annan Plan to re-unite the island failed spectacularly; but within the current economic crisis there is room for reconciliation in Cyprus.

By Aslan Amani

/ 2 Apr 2013

Turkey's growing constitutional conundrum

Why does Turkey need a new constitution and what makes it so difficult to draft one?

By Aslan Amani

/ 22 Mar 2013

Turkey's democratic shortfall: is Prime Minister Erdogan the main problem?

International observers have always nurtured mixed feelings towards Recep Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister: is he a resolute champion of democratisation, or an Islamist with hidden authoritarian tendencies? The answer might have less to do with his personal traits than with the system he operat

By Aslan Amani

/ 6 Dec 2012

Time for Prime Minister Erdogan to think about his legacy

As Prime Minister Recep Erdogan's Justice and Development Party celebrates one decade of power, Turkey looks back with satisfaction on the journey travelled. But big mountains still loom ahead for Erdogan and his government.

By Aslan Amani

/ 7 Nov 2012