Global Security Studies Practicum

Turkey is still eager to join the European Union despite the ongoing debt crisis . Turkey’s deputy prime minister Ali Babacan states that European countries must act robustly to tackle their sovereign debt else the global economy will worsen. The European Union is expected to cut interest rates and offer extra long liquidity operations to shore their banks. Babacan reiterated that it is imperative for Turkey to improve on its democratic system and uphold the rue of law in order to reach the political benchmark of European membership. Babacan also stressed that in terms of economics, the European Union is not a model for Turkey to emulate. Turkey is the world’s sixteenth largest economy and is projected to 7-8 percent after growing 9 percent last year. Source:http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/06/turkey-eu-idUSL3E7N60PH20111206 Reliability: (9) Comments: Turkey is Islamic democracy who firs applied to join he EU in 2005. Turkey’s membership application has been hobbled by its...

Turkey ’s Prime Minister apologized for the mass killings of Kurds in a 1930 uprising. Political observers believe the apology is a groundbreaking and it is a necessary first for Turkey in acknowledging its past. In a meeting with supporters Raccep Erdogan, clutching historical paper which documents the massacre, he apologized on behalf of the Turkish state “ I will apologize and I am apologizing”. The killings occurred within a span of two years in Dersim province and Kurds were simultaneously forcibly evacuated from their homes. Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish part, BDP , has questions the motive and sincerity of the apology and claims the Turkish government continues to arrest its supporters and sympathizers. The Turkish government is currently fighting against Kurdish rebels, who are waging a campaign for autonomy in largely Kurdish southeast Turkey. http://www.voanews.com/english/news/europe/Turkey-Issues-First-Official-Apology-for-1930s-Mass-Killing-of-Kurds--134404153.html Relia...

Turkey surprised international observers when it supported rebels in recent uprising in Syria. Turkey is harboring insurgents and political opponents of the Assad's regime as it readies unilateral sanctions against Syria . This signals in shift in supporting the various democratic Arab awakenings throughout the Middle East. Turkey’s chasm with Syria reaffirms its commitment to NATO , who had began to question Turkeys role in the alliance. In the face of the Arab Spring , Turkey is reassess its place in the new realities of the Middle East . Turkey had sought to ought new open new markets  and expand its influence in the region through a policy of non-confrontation with its neighbors. It disavowed democratic preconditions with economic partners like Syria and Iran in the past and this caused friction with NATO. Source :http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2011/1103/Turkey-s-bold-about-face-on-Syria Reliability (9) Comments: Turkey’s break from its policy of “zero prob...

26 October 2011 ISTANBUL, Turkey – The death toll is currently totaled at 138 in the cities of Van and Erics. Rescuers along with Turkish citizens continue to search for victims in collapsed buildings. The U.S.Geological Survey reported the earthquake to a 7.2 magnitude. The region has suffered roughly 20 aftershocks in the wake of the earthquake. CNN Turk reporter Nevsin Mengu, said “People are really scared.” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, “… Sunday’s earthquake -- the most powerful to strike the country in more than a decade. From Van, Mengu, also states, the death toll is sure to rise as rescue teams have yet to reach small villages. A crisis center is being set up in Ankara, the Turkish capital. Other nations and organizations have offered aid to Turkey, the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated, while graceful, they are prepared to handle the disaster on their own. Source: http://articles.cnn.com/2011-10-23/world/world_europe_turkey-earthquake_1_rescue-teams-death-to...

Turkey and Iran hold divergent views on the ongoing Arab Spring protests across the middle east. One indicator of the divide is the current international conference on Afghanistan which opens in Istanbul today. All states in attendance sent high level diplomats except for Iran which sent a low ranking deputy foreign minister despite it claims to be a regional super power and sharing a long border with Afghanistan. The diplomatic tensions reveals how the current Arab uprising has  transformed Turkey-Iranian friendship into a intensifying rivalry. The outcome of the rivalry is the rekindling of centuries old rivalry for influence between the Persians and Ottoman. The result will shape the security architecture of the middle east for years to come. Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/1102/Turkey-s-rising-clout-leaves-Iran-fuming-on-sidelines-of-Arab-Spring Reliability (9) Comments: Iran claims the Arab Spring is modeled after its own 1979 Islamic Revolution...

Turkey engaged in full battle with the militant group PKK inside Iraq on Tuesday. The PPK claims over 1,000 Turkish troops with sophisticated weaponry entered the PKK's base area in a full frontal assault. Turkey has denied this assertion and premier Raccip Erdogan also denied news reports of over 1,300 militants casualties. The PKK active in the region where a major earthquake struck on Sunday and has many supporters in the area. However, Raccip Erdogan is working to win support from ordinary Kurds in order to marginalize the PKK's influence in the region. Both sides have exaggerated casualty claims in order to boost morale in their respective camps.Violent clashes between Turkish forces and the PKK is on the increase and dashes any hope for a peaceful resolution. Source: Turkey Hits Group Of Militants Inside Iraq http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204644504576653494115642586.html Reliability (9)

Baghdad- Turkish military planes entered Iraqi territory last night in pursuit of PKK rebels who had killed 28 Turkish troops in Southeast Turkey. The rebels are part of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), are fighting for autonomy in Turkey. The rebels attacked Turkish military installations in two cities near the Iraqi border. Turkey retaliated by sending in Helicopter gunships and air force bombers. Istanbul based Dogan news agency reports that 20 Kurdish fighters have died since the counteroffensive by Turkey but the PKK leader disputes that. The government of the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan disavowed the attacks and called it counterproductive to Kurdish interests. Source : http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/turkey-mounts-counterattack-in-iraq/2011/10/19/gIQANR3wxL_story.html Reliability (9) Comments:   Kurds are minority group in Iraq and Turkish and have clamored for independence for decades. Kurds inhabit Southeast Turkey and Northern Iraq and the region is s...

19 October 2011 Early Wednesday morning, 24 soldiers were killed and 18 injured in southeastern Turkey. Rockets were launched at security forces and military sites in the town of Cukurca . Official with the provincial governor's office and Turkish President Abdullah Gul blames this incident as an act of terrorism. Gal states; "Our determination is certain. Those who think that democratic improvements in Turkey are achieved as a result of terrorism are making a big mistake. It is our decision to continue the struggle against terrorism without giving any concessions." The government has yet to confirm who they believe is responsible for the attack, presently there is tension amongst the government and elements of the country's minorities. Two weeks prior to the incident, lawmakers voted on extending authorization for the Turkish military to carry out cross border attacks against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq. The Kurdish Peace and Democracy party are in dire need t...

Associated Press (Tehran)- Iran has criticized Turkey for allowing NATO to place missile defense systems in Southeast Turkey. President Ahmadinejad of Iran states that the aim of the defense shield is to protect Israel against Iranian missiles in the event of war between Israel and Iran. Earlier in September, Turkey agreed to host NATO’s radar system aimed at countering Iran’s ballistic missiles. However, Turkey claims the missile defense system does not target a specific country and has vowed to block the deal if NATO names Iran as a threat. Turkey is a key Muslim voice in NATO and the missile deployment indicates improving relations with Washington since the 2003 Iraq invasion. Also, Turkey works closely with U.S troops in Iraq and Afghanistan on non-combat roles. Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/04/ap/middleeast/main20115639.shtml Reliability(9) Comment: Turkey is strategically located between Europe and the Middle East is trying to balance its relationsh...