Conflict between Kurds and Syrian Refugees in Turkey?

by Robert Olson An estimated 2.5 million Syrian refugees live in Turkey. They are scattered all over Turkey including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, and along the southern coast. There are also 600,000-700,000 in refugee camps. Increasingly, these refugees from Syria… Continue Reading

Turkey’s Geopolitical Aims in Syria

by Robert Olson Turkey hopes to use the 2.7 million Syrian refugees now in Turkey as vehicles to develop and consolidate it geopolitical and geo-economic position. This is a vastly different policy from the one Ankara pursued toward Kurdish refugees… Continue Reading

The March Madness of Turkish Politics

by Robert Olson Turkey’s politics in March 2016 continues to be tumultuous. The most important developments center on three pivotal issues. The first is relations between the government led by the Justice and Development party (AKP) and Kurdistan Workers’ Party… Continue Reading

How Did Turkey’s Erdogan Reverse His Fortunes?

by Derek Davison When Turkish voters went to the polls in June, they dealt the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a serious electoral setback, voting the party out of the sole parliamentary majority that… Continue Reading