Oguz Alyanak - openDemocracy

The sultan and his sycophants: Erdoğan is leading Turkey towards a bleak future

The appointment of a controversial new rector to Boğaziçi University is typical of the president’s poor leadership

By Oguz Alyanak and Umit Kurt

/ 16 Feb 2021

The sultan and his sycophants: Erdoğan is leading Turkey towards a bleak future

Ruminations on the political in post-referendum Turkey

Despite the state’s attempts to know and manage, there remain illegible elements, as exemplified by the people who support the No campaign or the women who join the Women’s Rally.

By Oguz Alyanak

/ 30 May 2017

The Turkish stadium scandal: why we should be concerned about the decision to not grieve for Paris

That the AKP election victory comes in the aftermath of a tumultuous summer is disconcerting, for it makes fear and violence not only an acceptable, but also a rewarding tactic.

By Oguz Alyanak

/ 29 Nov 2015

Turkey in limbo

Will the new election help take Turkey out of its impasse? Is there any hope that the results will be any different this time, amidst growing uncertainty about the future?

By Oguz Alyanak

/ 27 Aug 2015

Erdoğan’s “New Turkey”: end of pragmatism?

President Erdoğan’s ego might not only harm the AKP in the long run, but also squander the Islamo-pragmatic political culture it was able to construct in the past 13 years.

By Oguz Alyanak and Umit Kurt

/ 5 Jun 2015

The morphology of a peaceful Turkish protest

They demanded greater rights and fair treatment from Oyak-Renault and Türk Metal, but they argued that their movement had nothing to do with politics.

By Oguz Alyanak

/ 28 May 2015

No more popular protests? Reflections on Turkey’s Domestic Security Bill

Accuse the government of illegal use of force by the police, and what you get in return is the government inventing ways to make it legal, by treating popular protests as potential acts of terrorism.

By Oguz Alyanak

/ 14 Mar 2015

Welcome to the parallel universe: Richard Falk’s interview with PM Davutoglu

Through his references to things that are mundane, Erdogan speaks to people’s pockets. And through his references to God and the ancestors, he speaks to people’s hearts.

By Oguz Alyanak

/ 17 Dec 2014

Tracing the impact of the Ferguson uprising in Turkey

It seems that the time has come for Erdogan to return the favour and make a similar phone call to Obama. He has an excuse to do so now, which can only spell more heartache.

By Oguz Alyanak

/ 10 Dec 2014

Turkey's presidential election candidates

An overview of the strengths and weaknesses of Turkey's presidential candidates, and of the electorate's views, indicate that Erdoğan will be the victor of the upcoming elections on 10 August 2014.

By Oguz Alyanak and Umit Kurt

/ 8 Aug 2014

Syrian refugees in Turkey: “They are everywhere”

What you cannot miss is all the stories in the media testifying to the fact that the Syrian has become a troubling part of everyday life in Turkey.

By Oguz Alyanak

/ 8 Jul 2014

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Almighty

This may be sheer populism. However, it is also the kind of populism that brings millions to the election rallies cheering with joy. Having taken Turkey out of economic crisis once, the AKP is seen as the miracle-maker. And who would want to lose their miracle maker?

By Oguz Alyanak and Umit Kurt

/ 18 May 2014