News from Turkey Quake in Turkey
Turkey 100 years after the Treaty of Lausanne Updated
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali: Turkey on July 24, 2023 marked the100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne, that ended the Ottoman Empire and established boundariesof the new Turkish state. In a statement on this occasion President RecepTayyip Erdogan said: Today is the 100th anniversary of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, which constitutes one of the turning points in our history. He also said while resolutely defending the rights we have gained with the Treaty of Lausanne, we will strengthen our country's gains with new moves." President Erdogan did not divulge on the new moves Turkey will take to strengthen its gains. However, in the past Erdogan has called for the revision of the treaty. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told the Turkish mayors that Turkey wants to get rid of the effects of the Convention and the restoration of its rights, which were usurped by the Allies and Turkey considers also the texts of the Convention are unfair to its rights? Read More
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul marks 3rd anniversary of its reopening as mosque after 86 years
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali: The historical Hagia Sophia in Istanbul marked the third anniversary of its reopening as a mosque on Monday. Ali Erbas, the head of the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), led the morning prayer at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Erbas said a total of 21 million people have visited the historical site ever since. Turkey's iconic Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque reopened for worship on July 24, 2020 for the first time in 86 years. "Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is a cultural heritage of humanity as a whole. It was a mosque and was reverted back into a mosque," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said following the prayers. Read More
What message did Erdoğan convey to the world?
by Ihsan Aktaş: In the aftermath of World War I, when the British and French occupied all lands around the globe, despair reached such a level that the psychology of defeat, destruction and helplessness emerged all over. Some three states had occupied all Ottoman lands, as well as China in the Far East to Indonesia to Africa. All Muslims were crushed under captivity. And people have been trying to hold on to their past to build vigor and resist with the help of valor and old stories. President Erdogan says: Whoever backs his own culture, belief and history, loves his nation, and takes his power from his people, will be successful in both development and progress. Read More
Resilient Anatolia amid Western turmoil
by Ihsan Aktaş: Over the course of the past 15 years, Western powers have persistently sought to bring about a change in the Turkish government led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, intensifying their pressure. Read More
KAAN: Türkiye's homegrown fighter jet and its bold message to world
By Burhanettin Duran: Türkiye has become one of five countries that build fifth-generation warplanes. Hürjet, Türkiye’s first supersonic manned jet plane, completed its maiden flight, as Kaan reached the runway. Both products attest to the revolutionary progress of our country’s defense industry. Many more will follow. Together with the TCG Anadolu, Gökbey, ANKA and Kızılelma, May 1, ceremony highlighted the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government’s efforts to take the Turkish defense industry to the next level. Read More
Turkey’s Strategic Depth doctrine revisited
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali: Defying Western expectations, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan won in last month’s runoff election. His new mandate is expected to allow Erdogan to pursue increasingly independent policies that have strengthened Turkey’s position as a regional military power. Tellingly, Turkish foreign policy under Erdogan has been associated with the name of Ahmet Davutoğlu, once his chief foreign policy advisor. In his book “Strategic Depth,” published in 2001, Davutoğlu elaborates on his strategic vision about Turkey. He argues that Turkey possesses “strategic depth” due to its history and geographic position and lists Turkey among a small group of countries which he calls “central powers”. Turkey should not be content with a regional role in the Balkans or the Middle East, because it is not a regional but a central power. Hence, it should aspire to play a leading role in several regions, which could award it global strategic significance. Read More
Erdoğan’s victory harbinger of Turkish renaissance
By Ihsan Aktas: With historical precedents of Turkish prominence, the current age shows signs of a third Turkish renaissance, evident in the global recognition after Erdoğan's election. The comment of the Brazilian ultra-leftist "Workers' Cause Party" is striking. The party (Partido da Causa Operaria) calls Erdoğan's election victory a triumph over imperialism in the Middle East. Its tweet read: "Imperialism is defeated again. Amid a gigantic coup campaign against Erdoğan, the current president was reelected in Türkiye. Imperialism loses control of the Middle East." Afterward, all individuals and citizens in the Islamic world got excited as if Erdoğan was elected in their own country, and the election evening turned into a festive mood. This excitement is a sign of Türkiye's greatness, Türkiye's historical mission, the expectations of the world from Türkiye, and the enthusiasm, excitement and future ideal created by Erdoğan, who identified himself with such expectations. The uninterrupted dominance of the West in psychological warfare continued in the world for 200 years, and the oppressed nations have been losing. This electoral success has inspired all oppressed nations for wins, to organize, motivate and govern their own countries. Just as the conquest of Istanbul created extraordinary excitement both in the Christian and the Islamic worlds, this election will have an identical global effect. Read More
What to expect from Erdoğan, his ultranationalist Alliance and their ‘Family Values’ Pledges
By Balki Begumhan Bayhan: After a bitter and hard-fought campaign that went to a second run-off vote, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has retained the Turkish presidency in an election that some deemed as “free but not fair”. Having first won power in 2003, Erdoğan has been able to extend his rule for a further five years by creating an alliance with ultranationalist parties. A key aspect of the next term is likely to be a hardline conservative agenda. An agreement between the Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) and his hardline Islamist New Welfare party (YRP) allies has pledged to reevaluate existing laws to “protect the integrity of the family”. Read More
Economic dynamics in the context of elections: Pre and post-election analysis
By Levent Yılmaz: While the pre-election situation in the economy was as described, attention shifted back to the economy after the completion of the election process. We can see that Erdogan, who has been reelected, has placed the economy as one of his top agenda items. In both his victory speech on election night and his speech at the 79th TOBB General Assembly, Erdogan delivered messages emphasizing his sensitivity towards "inflation." Read More
Three Questions: Erdogan’s victory paves way for stronger ties with the Gulf
By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey: In three questions Jonathan Fenton-Harvey explains the present and future of Türkiye's relations with Gulf states under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government. How do the Arab Gulf states view President Erdogan’s victory? What has caused relations between Türkiye and the Gulf to strengthen? What kind of cooperation can we expect in the future? Read More
Turkish presidential elections and Western misperception
By Muhittin Ataman: The incorrigible West, who believe in Middle Eastern exceptionalism and have an Orientalist understanding toward Türkiye, neither take any lesson from their past mistakes nor do they want any Muslim country to experience a consolidated democracy. In principle, the West does not recognize any result of the elections won by politicians who prioritizes the political independence of their country or by any anti-Western politician. Since President Erdoğan has been asking the West to have a relationship based on equal partnership, the West tries to overthrow him. Read More
‘Erdoğan to free foreign policy for post-election Türkiye’
Daily Sabah: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will be pursuing an independent foreign policy in the coming term, according to James Jeffrey, former U.S. special envoy to the global coalition against Daesh, citing Türkiye's size and capabilities as the basis for the "rational" decision. Speaking at a panel by the Atlantic Council to discuss Turkish-American relations and Turkish foreign policy in the post-election period, Jeffrey, who is also a former envoy to Ankara, said there is a chance to improve ties between the U.S. and Türkiye, which he said are not "at a low point." Türkiye-U.S. relations have been strained in recent years because of the latter's cooperation with the PKK terrorist group's Syrian offshoot YPG, its stance toward the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), sanctions against Türkiye over its purchase of Russia's S-400 air defense system, Türkiye’s removal from the F-36 program, and the long delays in the deal for F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits. Read More
'Erdoğan's victory will flourish ties with Arab world'
Daily Sabah: Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye boosted its ties with Arab countries. Experts say his re-election on Sunday will further advance Turkish-Arab relations to greater horizons. Read More
Far-right Wilders tells Turks to 'pack bags' for voting for Erdoğan
Daily Sabah: Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders, known for his anti-migrant and Islamophobic stance, urged Turks living in the Netherlands who voted for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to leave the country after Sunday’s elections. “I hope that all Turks in the Netherlands who voted for the Islamofascist Erdogan will pack their bags and move to Turkey. Byeiii!” Wilders said. He also claimed that Turkish people in Türkiye were “disappointed” that citizens living abroad impacted election results. Read More
Erdogan seen ‘balancing’ between China and the West in third term as Turkish president
By Laura Zhou: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to continue a balancing act between China and the West in his third five-year term, but observers say Beijing’s treatment of the Uygur minority in Xinjiang will remain a challenge for ties. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Erdogan after he beat opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu – who had promised a West-leaning foreign policy – in a run-off election on Sunday. “In recent years, the development of the China-Turkey strategic cooperative relationship has maintained momentum, and practical cooperation in various fields has made positive headway,” Xi said in the message, according to state news agency Xinhua. Read More
Erdogan's election victory: a new era in Turkish foreign policy
By Kadir Üstün: President Erdogan's election victory represents a significant turning point in Türkiye's foreign policy. Thanks to this success, Erdogan will have the chance to solidify Türkiye's foreign policy gains in recent years. As an approved leader by the people, Erdogan is now in a strengthened position to shape Türkiye's national security strategy and foreign policy goals on the international stage. Türkiye will continuously feel the need for a dynamic foreign policy in the unpredictable environment created by global power balances and regional conflict areas. This situation makes predictable and strong leadership a prerequisite for success in international politics. Read More
Five key reasons that contributed to Erdogan's presidential win
TRT World: Recep Tayyip Erdogan's independent foreign policy, decades of political experience and domestic programmes gave him the edge over his challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who led a fragile opposition alliance. The May 28 presidential race provided a great political moment for Turkish President and AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who once again finished first in the first-ever presidential run-off. Erdogan has not lost an election since 1994, when he was elected as the mayor of Istanbul metropolitan municipality. Today with his second-round victory of the presidential election he further cemented his political legacy. There are multiple reasons why Erdogan won against the six-party alliance’s presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the leftist Republican People’s Party (CHP), but here’s some of the significant ones that helped him take a decisive lead in both rounds of the elections. Read More
What Erdoğan’s reelection means for Turkey’s political system, economy and foreign policy
By Ahmet T. Kuru, San Diego State University: Erdoğan won the election without making any promises of change regarding domestic or foreign policy. But if the economic crisis he faces fails to abate, change may be forced upon him. Indeed, the only factor that may force Erdoğan to return Turkey to a pro-Western position is Turkey’s ongoing economic crisis – which might necessitate the support of wealthy Western states and institutions. Read More
Free but unfair election: how Erdogan held onto Power in Turkey, and what this means for the Country’s Future
By Mehmet Ozalp: While there may be some political stability in post-election Turkey for now, the country will be in economic, social and political turmoil for the foreseeable future. Erdogan will continue to try to become a regional power independent of NATO, the European Union and the US. He will likely continue to strengthen Turkey’s ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has been a worry for Turkey’s Western allies. Read More
Erdogan’s Kashmir policy hailed
Via email: “On behalf of the people of Kashmir, we American citizens of Kashmiri origin offer you our sincerest congratulations on your re-election as the President of Republic of Turkiye. It is indeed a historic and momentous occasion for the Turkiye Justice and Development Party (AkParty) to win presidential election landslide of historic proportions, as well as to win the election for the Grand Assembly of Turkiye,” said Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice. Read More
President Erdoğan wins another Turkish election
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan cemented his place in Turkish politics as the longest-serving leader with a runoff victory on Sunday against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. All of Türkiye and its democracy won, said Recep Tayyip Erdogan after he was reelected president in Sunday's runoff polls. "No one has lost today. All 85 million (people) have won...It is now time to unite and integrate around our national goals and national dreams, leaving aside all the debates and conflicts regarding the election period," he added. Erdogan's reelection was confirmed by Ahmet Yener, the chairman of the country's Supreme Election Council (YSK), on Sunday evening. Erdoğan clinched his 16th electoral win since he came to power with his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in 2002 and remain Türkiye’s 12th president. Read More
Turkey celebrates 570th anniversary of conquest of Istanbul
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali: Turkey commemorates the 570th anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul on May 29. Istanbul, a cosmopolitan city, was besieged 28 times throughout history before its conquest in 1453 by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. In recognition of his victory, the 21-year-old ruler was thereafter known as Mehmed the Conqueror. In a prophecy about Istanbul's conquest by a Muslim ruler, the Prophet Muhammad said: "Istanbul will definitely be conquered. What a great commander is the commander who conquers it, what a great army that army is." The conquest ended the 1,058-year-old Byzantine Empire, brought the Middle Ages to a close and made Istanbul the proud new capital of the Ottoman Empire. Read More
Turkey to hold presidential runoff on May 28, election authority announces
Turkish Media reports: Turkey will hold a second-round runoff on May 28 to elect the president after no candidate won an outright majority in Sunday's poll, the head of the nation’s election authority announced on Monday. Erdoğan gained 49.51 percent of votes and Kılıçdaroğlu 44.85 percent of votes in May 14 election. Read More
Western media pivots after Erdoğan's election success
Daily Sabah: Barely hours after it began to become clear Turkey’s much-anticipated and internationally scrutinized presidential elections would stretch into a runoff, Western media outlets backpedaled in their biased rhetoric toward incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan whose polling success in the first round has been broadly described as a “surprise.” Read More
President Erdoğan gets 49.5% votes
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali: Contrary to the mainstream Western media predictions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan dominated the polls in presidential elections on Sunday, according to unofficial results. With 98.7 percent votes counted, Erdoğan had 49.5% of the vote, according to Anadolu News Agency. His closest competitor Kemal Kilicdaroglu got 45 percent votes. Erdogan has a lead of two million voters over his rival. Since Erdogan has not secured 50% votes, a runoff vote may be held on May 28. Erdogan hopes to secure more than 50% votes in the final count. Read More
People’s Alliance gains majority in Turkish parliament
Hürriyet Daily News: The unofficial results of the parliamentary election on May 14 showed that the People’s Alliance - formed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the New Welfare Party (YRP) and the Great Union Party (BBP) - garnered the most lawmakers in the parliament. Read More
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The Journal of America Team:
Editor in chief:
Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Senior Editor:
Prof. Arthur Scott
Special Correspondent
Maryam Turab
