Turkey: The Kurdish Movement in the “Peace Process”
While the peace process between the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) and the Turkish government is at a standstill, the latter is attempting to circumvent Turkey’s Kurdish actors by aligning itself with the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party), which dominates the Kurdish regional government in Iraq.
Kurds and the State Option
The Kurds in Iraq occupy what is practically a state. The Syrian civil war has resulted in the autonomization of the country’s Kurdish population. To Kurdish advantage, the JDP’s (Justice and Development Party – Turkey) ambiguous policy has cleared a new political space in Turkey.
The Paradoxes of the Kurdish Spring in Syria
Although the Kurdish population in Syria forms a very small and highly divided minority, the Kurds nevertheless have managed, thanks to the civil war, to gain relative autonomy in Northern Syria.
What Kurdish Policy Will the JDP Adopt?
The emergence of an autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan, the civil war in Syria, and the electoral ambitions of the JDP (Justice and Development Party) have led to new policy being formed by the Turkish government regarding the Kurdish issue.
Arab Atatürk: The Weight of History
Recent discussion surrounding a 'Turkish model' for the Arab world has centered mainly on the achievements of the AKP in Turkey and its supposed ideological proximity to the political parties that have arisen from the Muslim Brotherhood movement.
Kanal Istanbul: Pipedream or Politics ?
This paper examines Kanal Istanbul, a plan proposed by recently re-elected Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to bypass the Bosphorus Strait by creating a canal west of Istabul.
Russia-Turkey: A Relationship Shaped by Energy
Deepening energy ties between Turkey and Russia prompt questions as to the balance of power between the two countries, with the former relying heavily on the latter for its energy needs.
Is Turkey an Economic Exception?
This roundtable dealt with the specificities of Turkey"s economy, which is completing major economic achievements in particularly difficult times. François Faure analyzed the risks of an economic backlash following the European crisis; Turkey appears indeed in a weaker position than in 2008 and difficult times could lie ahead. Esen Çağlar pointed out how Turkey progressed from a low-technology to medium-technology economy, thus ensuring considerable levels of growth. Yet, a renewed reform agenda is needed if Turkey wants to maintain its economic performance. Deniz Ünal addressed the issue of economic governance under the AKP and the consistency of their economic policy agenda. In any case, Europe will most certainly play a role in the country"s economic future. According to Rémi Bourgeot, the Middle East cannot provide an alternative to European markets even if it offers interesting opportunities for the Turkish South East. Turkey"s future growth will also depend on its capacity to impose itself as a corridor between Europe and its neighbours energy resources.
Turkey's re-imagined neighborhood policy after the Arab Spring
Joshua W. Walker was a speaker at the international conference on “The international consequences of the Arab Spring” held at Ifri on March 13th, 2012. This paper is a follow up on his oral intervention.
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