Politurco (2025)

24/06/2025

Organized for the first time by Mentor Portal, the Colors of Heritage program lit up the stage in Los Angeles with a heartfelt celebration of diversity, identity, and artistic talent. Bringing together 28 students selected from weekend schools across the United States, the event served as both a performance and a powerful cultural homecoming.

Hosted by journalist Metin Yıkar, the evening offered more than just music and dance—it echoed the voices of languages, memories, and the deep-rooted connections participants have to their cultural heritage. Children of Turkish, Korean, Kazakh, and many other backgrounds proudly shared their traditions on stage, transforming the performance into a vibrant mosaic of cultures.

Yet the beauty of Colors of Heritage extended far beyond the spotlight. Students were welcomed into the homes of volunteer host families in Los Angeles, where cultural exchange found new meaning at dinner tables, in living rooms, and through everyday interactions. These encounters built bridges not only between families and guests but also between cultures, fostering a sense of belonging, trust, and mutual appreciation.

Over the course of just a few days, students and host families alike created unforgettable memories, lifelong friendships, and a heartfelt sense of kinship. The spirit of hospitality and the unifying power of the arts turned this event into something far more profound than a stage show.

Colors of Heritage reminded all involved that cultural identity is not just something to preserve—it’s something to celebrate, to share, and to build upon together. In a time when understanding across differences is more important than ever, the program stood as a living example of unity in diversity, and of hearts meeting across cultures.

With every note, every dance, and every embrace, Colors of Heritage became not just a performance—but a promise of a more compassionate and connected future.

20/06/2025

ADEM YAVUZ ARSLAN

Harsh rhetoric, defiant speeches in public squares, the demonization of foreign powers, and labeling domestic opposition as “traitors”—these are patterns we see in nearly all authoritarian regimes. But behind these motifs often lie destruction, isolation, and internal decay. Iran is currently the most vivid and concrete example of this collapse. And if you look closely, the structural rot caused by authoritarianism in Tehran is nearly identical to that in Ankara.

Rhetoric may be powerful, but international indicators reveal the truth in full clarity.

Iran: From Grandstanding to Rubble
For years, the Iranian regime has tried to project the image of a regional superpower—anti-American posturing, a nuclear program, Hezbollah as a proxy militia, and proxy wars in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. The regime wants to appear strong from the outside. But the latest Israeli attack shattered that illusion. Not only was Tehran unable to respond to the blow delivered to its heart, but the regime also tried to deceive its own people with propaganda like “We defended successfully!”

In reality, Israel crippled Iran’s military infrastructure and air defense systems in a single night. The billions of dollars Iran invested in its military were revealed to be little more than cardboard towers. The regime attempted to market a major failure as a victory. But this perception management did not light up cities left in darkness or ease the anger of the impoverished Iranian public.

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19/06/2025

A simple action of sitting together and holding a conversation with people—even those closest to us—poses a great burden on us in this modern generation. Touching and typing on a glass screen makes us feel as though we are connecting more than we ever could through talking or making eye contact. Yet these advances in technology cannot—and will not—sustain what humanity longs for the most: understanding and peace.

These two words, often used interchangeably in an attempt to make up for the absence of the other, seem like a reality that is too far away, unattainable, and out of reach. Communication through technology might be able to spread understanding and peace to a certain extent; however, the conflict reigning all over the world—and the misconception and misunderstanding embedded between communities—still continues to exist.

That’s why there are efforts for interfaith dialogue: a bridge between communities to break stereotypes and maintain a sense of connection that can sustain the short-lived peace and understanding this world lacks.

In the context of Abrahamic religions, I asked three individuals—prominent in their Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities—to share their thoughts on what interfaith dialogue means to them and how it affects their communities.

Rabbi Ziona Zelazo – A Vision for Harmony

Rabbi Ziona Zelazo—usually referred to as Rabbi Ziona—is a member of the New Jersey Board of Rabbis and was ordained at the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR) in New York, a pluralistic seminary that trains rabbis and cantors.

She is a trans-denominational rabbi who brings a wide range of experiences, skills, and perspectives to her rabbinate and counseling practice. She is deeply committed to those she serves and handles each individual’s life events with sensitivity and wisdom.

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19/06/2025

In a series of controversial raids carried out earlier this week in Turkey, the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered police to detain 40 individuals—mostly female university students—accused of having links to the Gülen movement, which the Turkish government designates as a terrorist organization.

Footage released by the Izmir Police Department on its official social media accounts shows scenes from the raids, but raises more questions than it answers. The video curiously avoids showing most of the detained women—many of whom wear headscarves—instead choosing to focus on just two male detainees.

Seized Funds: “Terror Evidence” or Everyday Savings?

Authorities appeared eager to portray the operation as the discovery of a significant financial network. Yet, according to official figures, the total amount of money found across six provinces was modest: €5,225 (approx. 237,884 TL), $6,772 (approx. 267,830 TL), and 222,000 Turkish lira. Spread across approximately 40 homes, that amounts to an average of only 18,000–20,000 TL per household—less than Turkey’s monthly minimum wage.

Sources say some of the seized cash belonged to a young woman preparing for her wedding, set aside in installments for bridal expenses. In one reported incident, a gold bracelet allegedly disappeared from a home without being recorded in official reports. Former detainees have long claimed that some officers pocket personal belongings—cash, jewelry, and even clothing—during these politically motivated raids.

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17/06/2025

YUKSEL DURGUT

Iran and Israel are remarkably similar. Both nations see themselves as besieged. They define their identity through religion and place themselves in the position of the “other.” Compared to the Arab world, both consider themselves culturally and civilizationally superior.

“There’s a hostility born out of closeness between the two countries,” writes political analyst Trita Parsi in one of his books. Both Iranians and Israelis frequently say in their daily lives, “The Arabs are plotting against us.” In other words, they vomit their hatred upon one another.

The roots of this hatred run deep. During the Baath regime in Iraq, under Saddam Hussein’s rise to power, a distorted ideology that became part of state doctrine and was even included in the school curriculum emerged: “The three things God should never have created: Persians, Jews, and flies.”

This book, written by Saddam’s cousin Khairallah Tulfah, was used as an official propaganda tool in Iraq for many years, systematically spewing hatred toward both nations.

Israel’s disdain toward Arabs is a widely known fact. But its view of Iran was different. It considered Persians as equals. Iranian officials themselves occasionally expressed this perception. Ironically, this sense of equality led to a strange military alliance during the Iran-Iraq War.

In fact, in 1981, Israel collaborated directly with Iranian intelligence for the Osirak raid—targeting Saddam’s nuclear facilities. This continued until Iran, supported by none of the international community—including the United States—managed to defeat Iraq. After this victory, the two became deadly enemies fighting for regional hegemony.

In reality, both countries are driven by a shared psychological foundation: the belief that they can only rely on themselves. For Iran, this belief was a necessity shaped by geographical and political realities.

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13/06/2025

DR.YUKSEL NIZAMOGLU

Since the introduction of books into public life, states have attempted to control these publications, and this desire has led to a systematization of censorship. Book bans and censorship, which were particularly intense during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid in the Ottoman Empire, continued into the republican era in Modern Turkey.

This article aims to shed light on the types of books banned during the Atatürk and İnönü periods and the reasons behind their prohibition, based on Cabinet decrees found in the Republican Archives.

WHICH BOOKS WERE BANNED?

A review of Ottoman archives shows that most book bans during the reign of Abdulhamid II targeted publications critical of the sultan, especially those printed abroad. These included both publications by the Committee of Union and Progress and missionary works. Even the Encyclopædia Britannica was among the banned imports (Ottoman Archives, BOA, HR. SFR3, 515/40, March 5, 1902).

Domestically, books like Aşık Kerem, Namık Kemal’s Cezmi, Gülnihal, Vatan, and Zavallı Çocuk, as well as Ziya Pasha’s History of Andalusia were banned. Even a version of the widely known Mızraklı Ilmihal (a basic religious manual) printed by Hafız Şükrü Efendi was prohibited (BOA references given).

Another example is Muhtasar Osmanlı Tarihi, a textbook by Selim Sabit Efendi used in elementary schools. His phrase about Sultan Abdulaziz — suggesting that he committed su***de after being deposed — contradicted the official narrative. This resulted in Abdulhamid II putting him under surveillance, causing him distress in his final years.

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13/06/2025

Turkey’s Struggle with Books and the Never-Ending Bans

Since the introduction of books into public life, states have attempted to control these publications, and this desire has led to a systematization of censorship. Book bans and censorship, which were particularly intense during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid in the Ottoman Empire, continued into the republican era in Modern Turkey.

This article aims to shed light on the types of books banned during the Atatürk and İnönü periods and the reasons behind their prohibition, based on Cabinet decrees found in the Republican Archives.

https://politurco.com/turkeys-struggle-with-books-and-the-never-ending-bans.html

12/06/2025

Exhibition of Silent Screams: Advocating for Those Who Have No Voice

On June 5, 2025, Advocates of Silenced Turkey (AST) and the Turkish Cultural Center of New Jersey co-hosted a moving event titled Exhibition of Silent Screams: Advocating for Those Who Have No Voice. Held in Fairfield, NJ, the evening gathered nearly 40 attendees—including journalists, educators, human rights defenders, and civic leaders.

The event aimed to raise awareness among American audiences about ongoing human rights violations in Turkey. At its heart stood the Exhibition of Silent Screams—a powerful collection of memory objects, symbolic relics, children’s drawings, and firsthand testimonies from victims of political persecution and imprisonment.

12/06/2025

From Bridge of Civilizations to a Broken Republic: U.S. Congress Hears Testimonies on Turkey’s Human Rights Decline

WASHINGTON — Once celebrated as a unique experiment in reconciling Islam and democracy, modernity and tradition, East and West, Turkey now stands accused of orchestrating one of the most systematic authoritarian regressions in the 21st century.

This stark transformation was the focus of a special session held on June 10 by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in the U.S. House of Representatives. A distinguished panel of witnesses—including former NBA player and outspoken activist Enes Kanter Freedom, Alliance for Shared Values Executive Director Dr. Alp Aslandoğan, and American Enterprise Institute scholar Dr. Michael Rubin—offered powerful and data-driven testimonies on Turkey’s deepening human rights crisis.
https://politurco.com/from-bridge-of-civilizations-to-a-broken-republic-u-s-congress-hears-testimonies-on-turkeys-human-rights-decline.html

11/06/2025

YUKSEL DURGUT

In 1914, Europe was sleepwalking. Today, its eyes are bloodshot from sleeplessness, and though reluctant, it cannot stay untouched by the spark that has leapt into Ukraine. The drone strike that devastated Russian air bases—dubbed the “Spider’s Web” by Zelensky—has led to yet another wave of arms orders in European capitals.

The operation’s details are chilling: a web woven silently over 18 months… Truck drivers smuggled into Russian targets what they thought were wooden crates, but were actually coffins. Four bases, forty shattered bombers.

What Moscow brushed off as a “terrorist attack” was, in reality, a defeat. And admitting defeat is the ultimate weakness of power—but of course, Moscow did not admit it.

But is Zelensky’s brilliantly calculated strike a harbinger of peace?

Of course not.

The operation followed immediately after Russia’s drone barrage on Kyiv. But here lies a grim truth: the week-long destruction wrought by Moscow pales in comparison to the lives lost in a single day of Israel’s assault on Gaza. This war in the heart of Europe has consumed more lives than the carnage in the Middle East.

The question is painfully simple: how do we extinguish this hellfire? Trump’s whispered backstage suggestion—“Let’s legitimize Russia’s spoils of war”—sent a chill through Brussels.

And rightfully so.

Ukraine is chasing its 1991 borders. Putin, like every dictator in history, weaves fantastical tales—myths that no longer fit the realities of the 21st century.

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11/06/2025

Once celebrated as a unique experiment in reconciling Islam and democracy, modernity and tradition, East and West, Turkey now stands accused of orchestrating one of the most systematic authoritarian regressions in the 21st century.

This stark transformation was the focus of a special session held on June 10 by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in the U.S. House of Representatives. A distinguished panel of witnesses—including former NBA player and outspoken activist Enes Kanter Freedom, Alliance for Shared Values Executive Director Dr. Alp Aslandoğan, and American Enterprise Institute scholar Dr. Michael Rubin—offered powerful and data-driven testimonies on Turkey’s deepening human rights crisis.

For many, Turkey had once symbolized hope. It represented a rare synthesis of devout faith and democratic governance. Today, that legacy has given way to what Kanter Freedom described as “a voiceless hell” for millions. His address to the commission was more than a personal plea—it was a national obituary for the civic freedoms once taken for granted in the Turkish Republic.

“Turkey used to be a place where civilizations, religions, and cultures intersected,” Freedom told lawmakers. “Today, millions of innocent people live in a voiceless hell.”

Dr. Aslandoğan’s testimony offered troubling figures:

705,172 people investigated for “terrorism,”

125,456 convicted—many on fabricated or exaggerated charges,

And thousands more accused for attending religious discussions, youth camps, or merely sharing breakfast.

The testimonies portrayed a judiciary that no longer serves the law but instead punishes dissent. Municipal leaders, opposition MPs, journalists, and even humanitarian volunteers are targets of criminal prosecution. Mothers are jailed. Children are interrogated. Students are surveilled.

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11/06/2025

Turkey’s Parliament Has Become Putin’s Duma: A Former Erdoğan Ally Speaks Out

Necip F. Bahadır

In recent years, Turkey has become a textbook example of how democratic institutions can erode under one-man rule. What makes this trajectory even more striking is that some of the sharpest criticisms are now coming from people who once helped build the very political movement that now presides over Turkey’s decline.

One such voice is Hüseyin Çelik, a founding member of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and a former education minister under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Once at the center of Turkish politics, Çelik now joins a small but growing number of former insiders willing to publicly challenge Erdoğan’s increasingly autocratic rule — even as the risks for dissent grow daily in Turkey.

https://politurco.com/turkeys-parliament-has-become-putins-duma-a-former-erdogan-ally-speaks-out.html

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