February 3rd, 2006 / October 30th, 2018
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Page with a chronological overview of the country file articles published on the Chronicle website.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Turkey’s Saviour or Sultan?
Erdogan has cemented his place in the history books as modern Turkey’s second-most notable ruler, but he seems determined to better that. Even after last year’s referendum, he has orchestrated a purge of elected AKP officials in cities where results fro...
Kurdish Storytelling Tradition Takes First Steps on Long Road to UNESCO Recognition
As one of the oldest cultural expressions in Mesopotamia, dengbej should be added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. This is according to opera singer Pervin Chakar, who has started a petition to gather support for and raise awareness...
Buffer Zone on Syrian Border: Why the Turkish Obsession?
Erdogan is under growing pressure at home to find a solution to tensions, perceived and real, between Syrian refugees and the Turkish communities hosting them. The slowing Turkish economy, in particular, has provoked rising anti-Syrian sentiment, with...
Turkey’s Shifting Policy Towards Syrian Refugees
This widespread hostility prompted Erdogan to undertake a drastic policy shift. Some measures aim to decrease the visibility of Syrian refugees, including removing Arabic shop signs across the country in an effort to appease public acrimony over their...
In Turkey, Attack on Democracy Continues with Removal of Kurdish Mayors
The kurdish mayors were not given the opportunity to contest their dismissal in court, which would likely have been fruitless anyway since the courts have lost their independence during almost two decades of AKP rule.
A deal too far: Turkey and the US fall apart over Russian missiles
Whatever the motivation behind the S-400 purchase, Turkey has made its pursuit of a new path very clear: away from past Western allies and into an unknown territory, unburdened by past alliances. What is certain is that US officials misjudged Turkey’s m...
Museums a Powerful Weapon in Political Battle for Turkey’s Past and Future
With museums largely subsidised or free for Turkish citizens, the importance of connecting Turks with the country’s past is obviously valued. Yet as museums increasingly become a political and ideological battle-ground, history is proving to be a powerful w...
Victory for Turkey’s Opposition in Istanbul, But What Now?
Imamoglu’s win represents a serious blow to the AKP’s electoral dominance in Turkey. However, observers should not mistake it for a fatal one. The party still commands powerful support across the country, even if it has lost the two largest cities. And...