Showing posts with label Turkey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Turkey. Show all posts

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Our Favorite Ina Garten Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe Videos | Barefoot Contessa | Food Network

Nov 5, 2023 | From roast turkey with truffle butter to herb-roasted turkey breast, these are our favorite Ina Garten Thanksgiving turkey recipe videos!

Ina throws open the doors of her Hamptons home for delicious food, dazzling entertaining ideas and good fun on Barefoot Contessa.


Sunday, November 05, 2023

Is Erdogan Killing Turkey's Storied Winemaking Tradition | Focus on Europe | DW News

Nov 5, 2023 | Turkey's President Erdogan is making things hard for winemakers and brewers by imposing alcohol taxes that have risen by 1,550 percent since 2011. For Seniz Saç winemaking is a millennia-old cultural tradition.

Monday, October 02, 2023

Turkey Hits Suspected Kurdish Targets in Iraq after Ankara Blast I DW News

Oct 2, 2023 | Turkish war planes have struck suspected Kurdish targets in Iraq in response to a suicide bombing in the capital Ankara. The defense ministry says its jets destroyed 20 targets of the PKK Kurdish separatist group in northern Iraq.

Earlier, the PKK said it carried out a suicide bomb attack outside the Turkish interior ministry. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said terrorists would never achieve their aims. Viewers may find some of the images in this report disturbing.


This video is age-restricted, so it is available only on YouTube. Please click here to view it.

Related video here.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Turkey’s Erdogan Says He Trusts Russia ‘Just as Much as I Trust the West’

Sep 19, 2023 | The nation of Turkey sits at a crossroads of the world, and its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is its preeminent leader. Reelected to office earlier in 2023, he has now been in power for 22 years. In an exclusive interview with Amna Nawaz, Erdogan discusses the state of NATO, Russia’s war on Ukraine and why Turkey might soon end its bid to become a part of the European Union.

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Turkish Islamists Seeking Cultural Dominance Launch Bans on Festivals and Concerts

EL PAÍS INTERNATIONAL: Many artists have been cancelled for their LGBTQ+ support or for criticizing the conservative government

In June 2021, Turkish pop singer Gökçe tweeted, “Love whoever you want. Love is love.” Little did she know that this tweet would have long-lasting consequences. This year, she was scheduled to perform at a festival in the small resort town of Sandikli in western Turkey. However, less than two weeks before the August 11 concert, Islamist Mayor Mustafa Çöl cancelled the concert. Posting several screenshots of Gökçe’s supposedly offensive tweets, Çöl said, “We’ll never accept those who attack our sacred values. People who share these things won’t even be allowed to set foot in our region, let alone appear in Sandikli!”

About 20 concerts by major Turkish rock, pop and folk stars, as well as music festivals, have been canceled in the past three months as a result of pressure from government authorities and Islamist groups. Artists have faced backlash for expressing support for LGBTQ+ rights, condemning violence against women, supporting opposition parties and promoting music in minority languages. Similar events occurred last summer and many see these cancellations as an attempt by Turkish Islamists to extend their influence and promote a culture aligned with their ultra-conservative principles during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s long tenure in office. » | Andrés Mourenza, Istanbul | Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Monday, July 10, 2023

Turkey Backs Sweden's Nato Membership - Stoltenberg

BBC: Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has agreed to support Sweden's bid to join Nato, the military alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg says.

He said the Turkish leader would forward Sweden's bid to the parliament in Ankara and "ensure ratification".

Meanwhile, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said: "I am very happy, it is a good day for Sweden."

Turkey had previously spent months blocking Sweden's application, accusing it of hosting Kurdish militants.

As one of Nato's 31 members, Turkey has a veto over any new country joining the group.

Reacting to the news, US President Joe Biden said he welcomed the commitment by President Erdogan to proceed with "swift ratification". » | BBC | Monday, July 10, 2023

Glücklich über das Ende der „Basarverhandlungen“: Erleichterung in Stockholm: Der türkische Präsident Erdogan hat seine Blockadepolitik aufgegeben. Die Regierung in Stockholm betont, man habe keine neuen Zugeständnisse gemacht, um den NATO-Beitritt möglich zu machen. »

Erdogan Says E.U. Must ‘Clear the Way’ for Turkey Before It Will Support Sweden’s NATO Bid

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Turkish president’s surprising new demand was bound to frustrate other leaders in the military alliance one day before a high-profile summit.

“Nobody should expect compromise nor understanding from me,” said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. | Umit Bektas/Reuters

ISTANBUL — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said on Monday that the European Union should open the way for Turkey to join the bloc before Turkey allows Sweden to join NATO, adding a surprising new condition that could further stall the military alliance’s efforts to expand.

Mr. Erdogan’s latest demand came a day before the opening of NATO’s two-day annual summit, where leaders, including President Biden, had hoped to secure unanimous approval from member states to allow Sweden to become the 32nd member.

That outcome now appears increasingly unlikely, with Mr. Erdogan posing the main obstacle to Sweden’s membership.

“First, clear the way for Turkey in the European Union, then we will clear the way for Sweden as we did for Finland,” Mr. Erdogan told reporters before traveling to the NATO summit. » | Ben Hubbard | Monday, July 10, 2023

‘You Are the Future of Europe,’ Erdogan Tells Turks: Calling Turks the “future of Europe,” Turkey’s president on Friday implored his compatriots living on the Continent to have multiple children as an act of revenge against the West’s “injustices.” »

Erdoğan Builds Another Mega-Mosque, This Time in Germany: The City Council of Wuppertal, a municipality in western Germany with a substantial Muslim population, has voted to approve the construction of a controversial new mega-mosque that will be controlled by the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a tireless propagator of political Islam in Europe. »

Erdogan is like Janus: His face looks in two directions! One minute he looks West; the next, East.

If Europe wants to be Islamized, its leaders need to pave the way for Turkey’s accession to the European Union. If, however, they want Europe to remain largely Judæo Christian, …

Tough choices lie ahead. – © Mark Alexander

Wednesday, July 05, 2023

Istanbul’s Bellydancers and DJs Fight for Survival as Turkey’s Night-time Economy Takes a Hit

A bellydancer performs for guests at the Sebebi Çok Teras, a night spot in central Istanbul.

THE GUARDIAN: With inflation at more than 100%, and a ruling party hostile to Istanbul’s vibrant nightlife culture, performers and bar owners are facing severe struggles

It’s 11pm at a rooftop restaurant overlooking Istanbul and the patrons are ready to party. In a corner, neon lights illuminate a DJ pumping Turkish pop music to long tables of patrons increasingly loose on raki, Turkey’s aniseed-flavoured national drink. Some have already got out of their chairs to dance, when suddenly the music shifts: the bellydancers have arrived.

A male bellydancer in a pink crop top dances, followed by a blond bellydancer in a rhinestone bra, and then Aslı Can, who enters the room in a storm of high kicks and hair flips.

It’s a typical meyhane night – the name for a traditional restaurant where people spend hours drinking listening to music and watching bellydancing, a staple of Turkish social life for centuries.

As the trio move between the different tables, jostling and wiggling with patrons, they begin their tricks – Can at one point does a full backbend over a table as she dances. Within half an hour, her top is stuffed full of 100 lira notes. » | Ruth Michaelson and Deniz Barış Narlı. Photography by Bradley Secker for the Guardian | Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Thursday, June 29, 2023

NATO Responds to Swedish Quran Burning

Jun 29, 2023 | NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that he understood the emotion caused by the burning of a copy of the Quran in Sweden but urged for a compromise over Sweden's accession to NATO.

Koran-burning Protest Could Further Delay Sweden's Bid to Join NATO • FRANCE 24 English

Jun 29, 2023 | A man tore up and burned a Koran outside Stockholm's central mosque on Wednesday, an event that risks angering Turkey as Sweden bids to join NATO, after Swedish police granted permission for the protest to take place.

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Turkish Central Bank Raises Interest Rates to 15% after Two-year Freeze

THE GUARDIAN: Experts say increase from 8.5% may be insufficient to tackling surging inflation that some estimate at 110%

Turkey’s central bank has raised interest rates for the first time in more than two years, from 8.5% to 15%, but there is widespread concern that the move is insufficient to combat rising inflation and an ongoing economic crisis.

The decision marks a partial shift in the unorthodox economic policy of the president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, under which interest rates have been frozen since March 2021 despite a sharp devaluation in the Turkish lira.

The central bank’s monetary policy committee said it had raised rates “to begin the monetary tightening process in order to establish the disinflation course as soon as possible, to anchor inflation expectations, and to control the deterioration in pricing behaviour.”

Inflation has risen to levels that are proving unbearable for large sections of the population, causing a widespread cost of living crisis. Officially, inflation in Turkey is at 39.59%, although unofficial estimates from Turkey’s independent Inflation Research Group put it at 110%. » | Ruth Michaelson | Thursday, June 22, 2023

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Turkey at a Crossroads: Will It Turn to the East or West?

Jun 6, 2023 | Turkey celebrates its centennial in 2023. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire 100 years ago, the republic was established with a secular outlook. Turkey joined NATO in 1952, formally cementing its place in the free world and within the Western fold. Today, it possesses the second-largest army in the transatlantic alliance. …

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Atatürk: Founder of Modern Turkey

Aug 4, 2016 | Atatürk: Founder of Modern Turkey is the most comprehensive and most-acclaimed documentary ever produced on the life and career of Atatürk. Through archival film and photos, contemporary photography in historical locations and interviews with international experts and those who’ve personally known Atatürk, the film presents a unique and unprecedented portrait of one of 20th centuries most influential leaders.

Tuesday, June 06, 2023

Turkey: Did Erdogan's Unorthodox Approach to Bring Down Inflation Actually Work? | DW Business

Jun 5, 2023 | Turkish inflation has fallen below 40% for the first time in 16 months. We speak to Erdal Yalcin, professor of international economics at Konstanz University of Applied Sciences. We ask him: is this a meaningful figure?


Erdogan's low interest rate policy is in line with Islam. His economic policy is unorthodox only to Western economists; his policy is very orthodox if considered in the light of Islamic economics. Erdogan is, after all, trying to re-Islamize the country. He is out to undo Ataürk's secular legacy. – © Mark Alexander

Saturday, June 03, 2023

Turkey's President Erdogan Sworn in for Third Term - BBC News

Jun 3, 2023 | Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been sworn in for his third term as president of Turkey. The country's long-time president won Sunday's vote, securing another five years in power.


From this point on, the dark period in Turkey continues. – © Mark Alexander

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Erdoğan Re-elected to 5 More Years in Turkey as His Government Grows More Authoritarian & Nationalist

May 31, 2023 | We look at the impact of the reelection of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Sunday in a tight runoff vote, extending his 20-year rule for a further five years. Erdoğan received just over 52% of the vote, beating challenger Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, an economist and former civil servant who unified a broad coalition but failed to unseat Erdoğan despite growing dissatisfaction with his governance and deep economic pain within the country. We speak with Cihan Tuğal, UC Berkeley sociologist and author of The Fall of the Turkish Model: How the Arab Uprisings Brought Down Islamic Liberalism.

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

A Risky Film on Atatürk | The New York Times

Nov 13, 2008 | A new documentary film shows Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the revered and godlike founder of Turkey, as a private person with human weaknesses - a rare and risky endeavor.

Monday, May 29, 2023

What Can Be Expected from President Erdogan's Third Term? | Inside Story

May 29, 2023 | President Recep Tayyip Erdogan re-elected in run-off vote - but faces big domestic and foreign policy challenges ahead It went to a run-off after a very tight first round, but Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the clear winner of Turkey's presidential election. Opponents expressed dismay with the result reflecting deep political divisions in the country.

A key player between East and West, Turkey's relations are complex with the NATO member also on good terms with Russia. So, what can we expect from Erdogan's third term at home and abroad?

Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault

Guests: Helin Sari Ertem, Associate Prof. of Intern'l Relations at Istanbul Medeniyet University
Ben Aris, Founder/Editor-in-chief, BNE IntelliNews.
Onur Erim, Political Adviser, President of Dragoman Strategies.



One word sums up Turkey perfectly: Janus. Turkey looks in two directions: one side looks West; the other side looks East. It was ever thus; and for the foreseeable future, at least, so it will be. – © Mark Alexander