Turkey’s State of Emergency and the March to One-Man Rule

by Robert Olson Turkey declared a “State of Emergency” (OHAL) on July 20, five days after the failed coup. It is to last for three months but can be extended at four-month intervals indefinitely if parliament agrees., Since it became… Continue Reading

Turkey’s Gains in Syria

by Robert Olson On August 24, Turkey invaded Syria to retake the Islamic State (ISIS or IS)-held town of Jarabulus. Along with Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces comprised of anti-Assad, jihadist, and pro-Turkish Turkmen forces, Turkey has continued to drive… Continue Reading

The Reconstruction of the Southeast and Turkey’s War in Syria

by Robert Olson Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on September 4 that Turkey would make a massive investment of $3.4 billion to rehabilitate the heavily Kurdish-populated southeast. The inclusion of substantial economic incentives could push the total package to… Continue Reading

Foreign Policy after the Failed Coup: The Rise of Turkish Gaullism

by Omer Taspinar Western media has an understandable tendency to see Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as an incurable Islamist who is determined to overhaul the secularist legacy of Ataturk. Many Western policymakers, analysts, and scholars equate the notion of… Continue Reading

The Failed Coup and Turkey’s Gulenist Predicament

by Omer Taspinar Now that the dust is settling in Turkey, the magnitude of the damage to what is left of Turkish democracy is becoming clearer. As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strangely admitted on the night of July 15… Continue Reading