Politurco

30/08/2024

Deportation Order Issued for Former Head of Hamburg Islamic Center

Germany has issued a deportation order for the former head of the Hamburg Islamic Center, which was recently banned for adopting extremist ideology.

A spokesperson for the Hamburg Ministry of the Interior announced on Wednesday that Mohammad Hadi Mofatteh, the former president of the Hamburg Islamic Center, was asked to leave Germany this week. The Hamburg Islamic Center was shut down about five weeks ago for promoting extremist ideas.

Germany has issued a deportation order for the former head of the Hamburg Islamic Center, which was recently banned for adopting extremist ideology.

30/08/2024

A Cry for Justice: The Injustice Faced by Poet İlhan Sami Çomak

In a small cell, within the cold walls of Silivri’s Marmara 5 No’lu Kapalı Cezaevi, sits İlhan Sami Çomak, a poet who has spent the last 30 years behind bars. His crime? A conviction based on accusations for which no concrete evidence exists. His life, once filled with the vibrant possibilities of youth, has been reduced to a series of interminable days and nights, with the faint hope of freedom constantly snatched away.

Recently, when the possibility of release after three decades of imprisonment finally seemed within reach, the hope was shattered once more. The prison’s Administrative and Observation Board decided to extend Çomak’s sentence by another three months. Their reasoning? The claim that he still lacks “awareness of his crime” and poses a continued risk to society. This decision, made in the absence of any substantive justification, is not only a denial of justice but a mockery of human dignity.
https://politurco.com/a-cry-for-justice-the-injustice-faced-by-poet-ilhan-sami-comak.html

30/08/2024

Gülen Movement and Diaspora-1

“Religious practices of diaspora communities are also an important research subject. This is because how religious traditions from the homeland are interpreted and practiced in a new cultural context offers a rich area of study in the sociology of religion.”

M. NEDİM HAZAR | COMMENTARY

Today—and perhaps for a few more articles—we will focus on a complex concept: “diaspora.” In this initial section, we’ll delve into the definition and historical origins of the concept to establish a background for better understanding the issue.

From a conceptual standpoint, diaspora emerges as one of the oldest and most complex socio-cultural phenomena in human history. Etymologically rooted in the Greek word meaning “dispersal,” this term describes the processes by which various communities have left their homelands and spread to different regions of the world throughout history. To explore its historical origins, we must look far back in time.
https://politurco.com/gulen-movement-and-diaspora-1.html

27/08/2024

Turkey’s Demographic and Economic Transformation: A Nation Reshaped by Foreign Influence

Ahmet Karabay

At the pinnacle of power in Turkey sits Tayyip Erdoğan, one of the greatest contractors in history. By “contractor,” I don’t mean in the sense of “construction” or “building.” Rather, I’m referring to how he has transformed and reshaped an entire country on behalf of others and created a new society. Let’s delve into the details.

In my article dated August 1, 2021, on TR724, I emphasized that Turkey would talk more about its refugee problem in the future than it does today and noted that this issue would lead to unforeseen problems both for the state and society.

This was when the first waves of Afghan refugees began arriving. I had written that Afghan refugees would continue to flow into Turkey in large groups and explained that this was decided during the NATO summit on June 14, 2021, in a meeting between Erdoğan and U.S. President Joe Biden.

When the U.S. began withdrawing from Afghanistan, Biden stated in an interview with CNN International, “We couldn’t leave the Afghans who fought with us at the mercy of the Taliban. We will take them out of there.
https://politurco.com/turkeys-demographic-and-economic-transformation-a-nation-reshaped-by-foreign-influence.html

27/08/2024

Christoph Daum: Farewell to the Last German of Turkish Football

HASAN CÜCÜK | TR724

Christoph Daum, the German coach who managed Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Bursaspor, succumbed to cancer at the age of 70. Daum, who made a significant impact in the 1990s, was known for his colorful personality. His dream of becoming the coach of the German national team was blocked by ‘The Emperor’ Franz Beckenbauer. After leading Stuttgart to a championship, Daum became recorded in history as the last German to contribute to Turkish football.

German coaches played a crucial role in the development of Turkish football. Jupp Derwall, who led Germany to the European Championship in 1980, opened a new chapter in Turkish football history when he joined Galatasaray after a disappointing EURO 84 campaign. Derwall not only ended Galatasaray’s 13-year championship drought but also paved the way for the club to become a European powerhouse. He introduced Mustafa Denizli to Turkish football as his assistant, and after fulfilling his duties, he bid farewell to Turkey in 1987.
https://politurco.com/christoph-daum-farewell-to-the-last-german-of-turkish-football.html

27/08/2024

A Tale of Two Economies: America’s Success and Turkey’s Failure

Orhan Ozcan/TR724

Last week, the investment community followed the annual central bank conference in the United States, known as ‘Jackson Hole,’ and evaluated the outcomes of the conference. This year’s theme was “Reviewing Monetary Policy and Monetary Transmission Mechanisms.” In fact, recent events, particularly in the U.S. economy, have turned some classic economic theories upside down.

Despite recent interest rate hikes in the U.S. reaching the highest levels since the 1980s, the country hasn’t experienced high unemployment, low growth, or even a recession, as classic economic theories would predict. Interest rates have reached their highest levels in 40 years, but in the U.S. economy—whose gross domestic product (GDP) is $27 trillion, accounting for a quarter of the global economy—there hasn’t been high unemployment, low growth, or a recession. Recent developments in the U.S. have, in some ways, thrown classical economic theories, as taught in textbooks, into the trash. This is truly a success story.
https://politurco.com/a-tale-of-two-economies-americas-success-and-turkeys-failure.html

21/08/2024

Caught in Istanbul: World’s Biggest Crypto Scammer Granted Turkish Citizenship

Andreas Szakacs, a Swedish citizen alleged to be the world’s largest crypto scammer, has been arrested in Istanbul. After obtaining Turkish citizenship and changing his name to Emre Avcı, Szakacs is accused of defrauding thousands of people through a company called ‘Omegapro’ by promising 300% returns.

Szakacs, reportedly behind one of the biggest crypto scams globally, was apprehended in the Beykoz district of Istanbul. Journalist Timur Soykan, writing for Birgün newspaper, revealed that Szakacs adopted the name Emre Avcı after becoming a Turkish citizen. He is accused of running a Ponzi scheme through their Dubai-based company, Omegapro, where they promised 300% profits to investors.
https://politurco.com/caught-in-istanbul-worlds-biggest-crypto-scammer-granted-turkish-citizenship.html

18/08/2024

Ukraine is Invading Russia

For leaders like Russia’s Putin, whose power is shaky and who are questioned by their own people, starting a war, such as the invasion of Ukraine, is an unchanging strategy. When criticisms increase at home and you can no longer govern, if you start a war and convince the people that the country is under “threat,” the criticisms decrease. The people rally around the leader and the government. Moreover, while you are dealing with the “external enemy,” criticisms from within are negatively received by the public. The government can go harder on the opposition with rhetoric like “internal traitors” and face less backlash.

Benjamin Netanyahu was being seriously questioned in Israel before the October 7th attack. Millions were marching against Netanyahu in the streets of Tel Aviv, searching for ways to bring down his government. But the bloody attack by Hamas, targeting civilians, threw Netanyahu a lifeline. Netanyahu took advantage of the opportunity, deepening the war, spreading the tension, and significantly dampening the criticisms. He is no longer as questioned or persistently wanted out as he was a year ago. Instead, a significant portion of Israel is focused on eliminating Hamas. Not only did Netanyahu save his position, but he also gained unconditional support from the West.
https://politurco.com/ukraine-is-invading-russia.html

17/08/2024

Unplugging the Audience: Reflections on Instagram’s Temporary Ban in Turkey

Emel Uzun*

On August 2-10, 2024, Instagram was blocked by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) for nine days, turning into the second major societal and legal pressure crisis of the summer. When the idea to write an article about this ban emerged, the restriction was still in place, and the issue was being hotly debated in news programs. The criticisms framed around the violation of the right to access media, coupled with the anger brought about by the hastily passed stray animal law without any public consensus, left us feeling increasingly squeezed. After all, Instagram is often described as a platform where you can find a bit of entertainment and lifestyle content, making it more refreshing than X.

We were also feeling a sense of deprivation. One of the automatic actions we did whenever we picked up our phones was no longer available. A few days later, people started saying, “In some ways, it’s actually a good thing!” The term “Instagram detox” began to circulate. People started saying things like, “I feel a bit more relaxed, I can read books, and I feel less angry.” Immediately afterward, these attitudes were criticized. Theater actor Kıvanç Kılınç addressed this group as “cute conformists deriving detox from a violation of rights.” Sharing experiences of life without Instagram was stigmatized by this reaction, and as far as I could see, the discussion ended there. Then, just as we were still trying to understand why Instagram was blocked and why Facebook, which is owned by the same company, was not, Instagram was reopened. Everyone returned to their stories, posts, and reels as if they had just come back from a long vacation. I watched several funny videos representing Turkey’s reunion with Instagram. It was clear that Turkey missed Instagram.
https://politurco.com/unplugging-the-audience-reflections-on-instagrams-temporary-ban-in-turkey.html

17/08/2024

Azerbaijan Rebukes Erdoğan: ‘Our Victory in Karabakh is Solely Ours’

In an editorial published in the official Azerbaijani Gazette, Turkish President Erdoğan’s remarks regarding Karabakh, made during an AKP Rize Provincial Organization meeting, were strongly criticized. During his speech at the AKP Rize Provincial Organization meeting last month, Erdoğan mentioned Israel, saying, “Just as we entered Karabakh and Libya, we can do the same to them.” The editorial in the official gazette, which is published by the Azerbaijani National Assembly and enacts laws, decrees, regulations, and circulars, harshly criticized Erdoğan’s statements.

Here are the key excerpts from the statement:

The 44-day Patriotic War and the 23-hour anti-terror measures not only ended the 30-year occupation that Azerbaijan faced, but also fully established the country’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and constitutional structure. The “iron fist” forever eradicated Armenian separatism, which had a sinister and bloody 200-year history.
https://politurco.com/azerbaijan-rebukes-erdogan-our-victory-in-karabakh-is-solely-ours.html

17/08/2024

Parliament Stained: A Dark Day of Violence in Turkish Politics

Necip F. Bahadir

During a speech by TİP MP Ahmet Şık, AKP member Alpay Özalan quietly approached and attacked the speaker’s throat. Then, he threw him forcefully to the ground. And thus began a scene of violence rarely witnessed in history among MPs. Kicks and punches were thrown… The instigator of the fight, Özalan, quickly distanced himself from the scene, retreating to the back rows as if he had not started the altercation.

In this fistfight, DEM Party’s Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit was injured with a cut on her forehead and was taken to the infirmary for treatment. CHP’s Okan Konuralp was also injured. According to CHP leader Özgür Özel, even female MPs were punched by AKP members. Özel stated, “I saw it with my own eyes, they are hitting women.” The whole world watched these scenes.
https://politurco.com/parliament-stained-a-dark-day-of-violence-in-turkish-politics.html

16/08/2024

Unprecedented Cabinet Debate Highlights Tensions Over Turkey’s Instagram Ban

M. Ahmet Karabay

Since Turkey transitioned to a one-man regime, it’s been widely discussed that almost everything started to become monochromatic. However, recently, the colors of diversity have started to become more noticeable again. The most vivid and concrete example of this can be seen in the debates about the “untaxed elites” being secretly leaked to the public. Today, I will share with you some behind-the-scenes information about a debate within Erdoğan’s cabinet.

Those of us who have been active journalists for many years, like myself, have witnessed various behind-the-scenes stories from within the government before 2002. Many of these stories were written in a careful manner and shared with the public under the label “behind the scenes.” Very few were withheld for various reasons.
https://politurco.com/unprecedented-cabinet-debate-highlights-tensions-over-turkeys-instagram-ban.html

16/08/2024

Kursk Under Siege: Ukraine Pushes Russia to the Brink

Clashes have intensified in Russia’s Kursk region, located along the border. Ukrainian forces are currently holding their positions. According to Ukrainian sources, they have gained control over 74 settlements in Kursk, while the Russian Ministry of Defense claims this number is 28. Due to its strategic importance, this region along Russia’s southern border has become a major battleground for both sides.

On the morning of August 6, the Kursk region was subjected to a significant attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the Ukrainian army deployed tanks and armored vehicles, attempting to cross the border.
https://politurco.com/kursk-under-siege-ukraine-pushes-russia-to-the-brink.html

16/08/2024

Germany: Turkey’s Definition of Terrorism Violates European Court of Human Rights Standards
On August 7th, the German Federal Foreign Office published an important advisory on its official website regarding travel to Turkey. The advisory highlighted the risks associated with social media activity, such as posts, likes, and comments, which could lead to prosecution in Turkey. Between the lines, the advisory points out significant legal irregularities occurring in the country.

The advisory states, “It appears that Turkish criminal prosecution authorities are maintaining extensive lists of individuals residing in Germany, and these individuals may be subject to criminal prosecution without adequate preliminary investigation.” This statement clearly indicates that the AKP regime is engaging in surveillance and profiling.
https://politurco.com/germany-turkeys-definition-of-terrorism-violates-european-court-of-human-rights-standards.html

16/08/2024

CHP Widens Lead Over AKP by 6 Points in Latest SONAR Poll; AKP Losing Ground

According to the latest poll from SONAR Research, the gap between the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) is growing. Columnist Aytunç Erkin of Sözcü shared the findings, revealing that after accounting for undecided voters, CHP now leads AKP by 6.4 points. The poll shows 34.7% of respondents would vote for CHP if a general election were held today, while AKP’s support has fallen to 28.3%.

Erkin noted that he had obtained a “SONAR VIP” poll conducted by Hakan Bayrakçı for his private subscribers. The poll, conducted in July with 3,027 participants across 26 provinces, asked, “If a general election were held today, which political party would you vote for?” Before undecided voters were accounted for, the results were: CHP 23.1%, AKP 18.9%, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) 6.9%, Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) 6.7%, IYI Party 3.7%, Victory Party 3.5%, Re-Welfare Party 3.2%, and others 0.8%. A significant 33.2% of respondents did not express a preference (15.1% undecided, 3.1% invalid vote, 11.9% would not vote, and 3.1% had no opinion).
https://politurco.com/chp-widens-lead-over-akp-by-6-points-in-latest-sonar-poll-akp-losing-ground.html

07/08/2024

Turkey Faces Economic Turmoil: Stagflation on the Horizon

M. Ahmet Karabay

While the world beats the drums of war, our biggest problem as a nation is the high cost of living in Turkey. The government, which has exacerbated inflation with unprecedented measures in world economic history, is now unable to control it. The July inflation announced by TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute) shows that stagflation is next.

The public’s agenda is the high cost of living. While different issues occasionally come to the fore, the economy has consistently been the top concern in recent years. When we add the 3.4% unemployment rate to the 64.6% cost of living increase, it’s clear that the economy, at 68%, is overwhelmingly the most pressing issue.
https://politurco.com/turkey-faces-economic-turmoil-stagflation-on-the-horizon.html

07/08/2024

Turkish Minister Admits Scandal: 729,000 Syrians Missing in Turkey

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that out of 3,103,000 Syrians, 729,000 could not be found at their registered addresses. Yerlikaya stated that they have given a 90-day period for these individuals to update their addresses. “After 90 days, we give an additional two months. After that, we suspend all services provided to them,” he said.

The AKP Human Rights Presidency organized a ‘Human Rights Education Program.’ During the program, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared data on immigrants across Turkey. He mentioned that they investigated whether foreigners in Turkey were residing at their declared addresses. “I’m saying this for the first time,” Yerlikaya said as he revealed striking data.

06/08/2024

Sharp Drop in Istanbul Stock Exchange: Trading Halted

The BIST 100 index on Borsa Istanbul started the week with a significant decline of 6.72%. When losses surpassed 5%, a circuit breaker was triggered.

At the opening, the BIST 100 index fell by 703.79 points, or 6.72%, to 9,769.69 points from the previous close.

The banking index dropped 7.79%, while the holding index lost 5.97%. All sector indices declined, with the banking sector experiencing the largest losses.

On Friday, the BIST 100 index on Borsa Istanbul closed at 10,473.47 points, down 3.01% from the previous close.

At the opening, when losses in the BIST 100 index exceeded 5%, a circuit breaker was activated.
https://politurco.com/sharp-drop-in-istanbul-stock-exchange-trading-halted.html

06/08/2024

Turkish Minister Admits Scandal: 729,000 Syrians Missing in Turkey

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that out of 3,103,000 Syrians, 729,000 could not be found at their registered addresses. Yerlikaya stated that they have given a 90-day period for these individuals to update their addresses. “After 90 days, we give an additional two months. After that, we suspend all services provided to them,” he said.

The AKP Human Rights Presidency organized a ‘Human Rights Education Program.’ During the program, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared data on immigrants across Turkey. He mentioned that they investigated whether foreigners in Turkey were residing at their declared addresses. “I’m saying this for the first time,” Yerlikaya said as he revealed striking data.
https://politurco.com/turkish-minister-admits-scandal-729000-syrians-missing-in-turkey.html

05/08/2024

IJA: Turkey’s Instagram Ban Is a Serious Threat to Free Speech

The International Journalists Association (IJA) has denounced Turkey’s recent move to block Instagram as a significant assault on freedom of expression.

In their statement, the IJA criticized the action:

AKP REGIME’S LATEST MOVE: BLOCKING INSTAGRAM ACCESS

The International Journalists Association (IJA) is deeply alarmed by the Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) imposing a ban on Instagram. With independent media outlets in Turkey already largely silenced, these new restrictions on social media platforms mark a severe attack on free speech.

Following the sudden closure of newspapers and TV channels, social media platforms are now being targeted.

Turkey has the highest number of Instagram users per capita globally, with 57 million users. The block impacts a significant portion of the population. We view this complete shutdown of a widely used platform as a show of power by the AKP government, aiming to increase its control over social media companies. Without a strong response, there is a risk that the government may extend these measures to other social media platforms. The removal of these platforms, vital for opposition voices, will leave people without access to crucial information, plunging Turkey further into darkness.
https://politurco.com/ija-turkeys-instagram-ban-is-a-serious-threat-to-free-speech.html

05/08/2024

Schengen Visa Crisis: EU Tightens Restrictions on Turkish Citizens Amid Migration Concerns

European Union countries have significantly tightened visa regulations for Turkish citizens, making it more difficult to obtain a Schengen visa. Germany has announced that it will suspend appeals for visa rejections until June 30, 2025, and extend processing times for visa applications up to eight months.

Appeals Process Frozen Until June 2025

Germany has declared that it will not review appeals from rejected visa applicants until mid-2025. Alongside this freeze on appeals, visa processing is stalled, complicating the pursuit of legal action due to missed deadlines.

According to Ali Gülen of Sözcü newspaper, despite the existing Readmission Agreement between the EU and Turkey, visa procedures for Turkish citizens have become more restrictive rather than more lenient. This tightening is attributed to concerns that many visa recipients have economic migration intentions.
https://politurco.com/schengen-visa-crisis-eu-tightens-restrictions-on-turkish-citizens-amid-migration-concerns.html

05/08/2024

A Horrifying ‘Coup/Conspiracy’ Story; You’ll Remember July 15!

Necip F. Bahadir

Despite the intense agenda, today I will discuss a real story from afar, in the style of a ‘weekend article’. The ‘taste’ of the story is quite bitter; it is anything but pleasant. I first read the book, then watched the film. I was in ‘shock’ at what I saw. I regretted being unaware of such a massive massacre. I mourned for the years when I looked at that distant ‘country’ and the mastermind behind the massacre with sympathy.

That country is Indonesia, and the leader who killed millions of people without blinking an eye and filled prisons with an equal number of people was Suharto. I learned about the events in Indonesia from Muhsin Altun’s book ‘Dindarca Öldürmek’. Altun answers the question, “How were one million red Muslims killed?” Then, I watched a documentary film about the massacre. My heart ached.
https://politurco.com/a-horrifying-coup-conspiracy-story-youll-remember-july-15.html

05/08/2024

Succession Struggles in Erdoğan’s Palace: Evaluating the Heirs and Intrigues

M. Ahmet Karabay

Keeping up with the news is impossible. Not long ago, those outside looking for a thrill would turn to the Turkish agenda. Now the world agenda is competing with Turkey. Where will the war clouds that have enveloped the region and the country lead? Everyone is chasing the answer to this question.

Today, we will take you away from the agenda and take a tour through palace intrigues.

In the U.S., there are elections with a favored presidential candidate who says, “If I don’t get elected, World War III will start!” The likelihood of the economic war centered around China in the Far East turning into a war with weapons is increasing day by day. There’s curiosity about what the new landscape will be for Ukraine and Europe after the war that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in our north. It is still unclear how Venezuela, under Maduro, who declared himself the winner before the vote count was finished, will evolve. And, of course, the inevitability of a regional war in the Middle East, where Turkey is located, is being discussed. Predictions exist about what Israel, which has gone overboard, will turn its dream of making the region like Gaza into, but there is no certainty.
https://politurco.com/succession-struggles-in-erdogans-palace-evaluating-the-heirs-and-intrigues.html

02/08/2024

Killing of Hamas leader ‘doesn’t help’ ceasefire talks, says Biden

US President Joe Biden has said that the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh “doesn’t help” talks over a potential ceasefire in Gaza.

Haniyeh was killed during a visit to Iran’s capital, Tehran, on Wednesday. Iran and its allies have blamed Israel, although Israel is yet to comment on his death.

Haniyeh was Hamas’s most senior official and was highly involved in ceasefire and hostage release talks from his base in Qatar.

Mr Biden said he was “very concerned” about rising tensions in the Middle East. “We have the basis for a ceasefire. He [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] should move on it and they [Hamas] should move on it now.”
https://politurco.com/killing-of-hamas-leader-doesnt-help-ceasefire-talks-says-biden.html

02/08/2024

Turkey’s Place in the Prisoner Exchange and the Dark Secrets of Haniyeh’s Assasination

If you are following developments only through Turkish media, you might think that the Turkish intelligence agency under İbrahim Kalın has just executed the largest prisoner exchange since World War II. Indeed, if you look at the praise and comments which appear to come from a single source, it seems that MIT (National Intelligence Organization) has conducted negotiations with many countries simultaneously, facilitated the agreements and logistics, and successfully completed the operation! There is no end to the praise – or you might call it flattery. However, if you view the situation from the capitals of the involved countries, such as Washington and Moscow, the reality is quite different.
https://politurco.com/turkeys-place-in-the-prisoner-exchange-and-the-dark-secrets-of-haniyehs-assasination.html

02/08/2024

Beyond the Borders: How Israel’s Aggression Targets Iran and Turkey

M. Ahmet Karabay

A regional war in the Middle East is not just on the horizon; it has already begun. After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the US Congress, which was interrupted by applause and included a promise of “unconditional support,” Israel declared war on the entire region. In less than a week, it attacked five different countries. Find ways to protect whatever you believe needs protecting.

It has been known since its establishment that Israel is a country that disregards international rules. Its aggression threatens the entire region, and consequently, it views the entire region as a threat to itself. The Tel Aviv or Jerusalem administration does not base its aggression on the 10 million people living in 22,000 square kilometers.
https://politurco.com/beyond-the-borders-how-israels-aggression-targets-iran-and-turkey.html

31/07/2024

Erdoğan’s Bold Rhetoric: Threats Against Israel and the Reality of Turkish Foreign Policy

Necip F. Bahadır
“We can do to them (referring to Israel) exactly what we did in Karabakh and Libya. There is nothing stopping us. We just need to be strong enough to take these steps.”

These words were spoken by Erdoğan while addressing party members in his hometown of Rize. It’s clear whom he is addressing: Israel. Did Erdoğan make these statements as the ‘President’ or as the ‘AKP Chairman’? Since it was a party meeting, his role as ‘Chairman’ might be more prominent. These two identities have become so intertwined that it’s hard to distinguish between them. Let’s consider it a ‘state statement’ under both titles.

What should we make of these words? Is it the pinnacle of rhetoric? A war threat against Israel? Can we say that there are winds of war blowing between Turkey and Israel just because these words came from the mouth of the sole decision-maker, the President? Will these words turn into action? Will they go beyond words and translate into action? Has the region and the world interpreted this as a sign of war?
https://politurco.com/erdogans-bold-rhetoric-threats-against-israel-and-the-reality-of-turkish-foreign-policy.html

31/07/2024

Erdoğan’s Bold Rhetoric: Threats Against Israel and the Reality of Turkish Foreign Policy

Necip F. Bahadır

“We can do to them (referring to Israel) exactly what we did in Karabakh and Libya. There is nothing stopping us. We just need to be strong enough to take these steps.”

These words were spoken by Erdoğan while addressing party members in his hometown of Rize. It’s clear whom he is addressing: Israel. Did Erdoğan make these statements as the ‘President’ or as the ‘AKP Chairman’? Since it was a party meeting, his role as ‘Chairman’ might be more prominent. These two identities have become so intertwined that it’s hard to distinguish between them. Let’s consider it a ‘state statement’ under both titles.

What should we make of these words? Is it the pinnacle of rhetoric? A war threat against Israel? Can we say that there are winds of war blowing between Turkey and Israel just because these words came from the mouth of the sole decision-maker, the President? Will these words turn into action? Will they go beyond words and translate into action? Has the region and the world interpreted this as a sign of war?
https://politurco.com/erdogans-bold-rhetoric-threats-against-israel-and-the-reality-of-turkish-foreign-policy.html