Turkey

Random thoughts on Kobane, ISIS, Turkey and the Khorasan

Kobane/Kobani in Syria next to the Turkish border and has for a couple of months now been under assault by SIS.

There has been immense international pressure on Turkey to intervene and when it didn't, mass accusations that it was aiding ISIS.

It has often been stated that Turkey is often a route used by westerners to get into Syria/Iraq and potentially join ISIS. Further "damning" evidence against Turkey is that potentially around 400 Turks have joined ISIS.

What is often ignored when quoting this number is that there are more suspected britons (500) of having joined ISIS that Turks (400) even though Turkey is a Muslim country and is right next to the theatre of operations.

Trouble in Paradise (Turkey)

I'm not sure if many people are following this, but recently there has been a civil war of sorts going in turkey, with control of the government at stake.

It's big news, especially as Turkey has recently been one of the Muslim countries in the world where Muslims have been doing well - doing the right thing and being prosperous. So much so that I am a big fan of the Turkish Prime Minister - Recep Tayyip Erdogan in my books is the finest Muslim leader of the last decade.

However, there is trouble brewing in Turkey right now with his government being accused of many crimes including corruption.

There is a lot of history to this, but the current bombshells could result in the current government falling and maybe even a return to the dark past.

Turkey: What is actually happening?

If you have read or watched the news over the past few days, you will have read about protests in Turkey.

They started over an infrastructure project over a park but when the Police went in forcefully, they spread and became massive.

A lot of people have wondered if this is an extension of the "Arab Spring", and that this is "the voice of the people rising up against their authoritarian regimes".

As the protests have taken journalists by surprise, there has been some loose talk and weak attempts to understand what is happening in Turkey. Others have tried to give the normal voices to the protesters.

Run: The Muslims are coming!

Its election season in the arab world, and we are currently on the third election - Egypt.

In the first elections in Tunisia, the Islamic minded party, Al Nahda (arabic for "The Awakening" or "The Renaissance" or dare I say it, "The Revival") was the leading party.

It should get a big say in the interim government which decides the future of the country (however it is possible that all the other parties could unite to keep it out of power).

The second elections were in Morocco last week, where once again, the largest part was the Islamic minded Islamic Justice and Development Party (PJD) won the most seats and with the changes in the country's constitution earlier this year, it means that they will form the govenrment and provide the prime minister in this kingdom democracy.

Earthquake Hits Turkey: Hundreds Feared Dead

Up to 1,000 people are feared dead after a major earthquake hit south-east Turkey.

Dozens of buildings were destroyed by the blast in the city of Van, trapping some victims alive under debris.

At least 100 people were believed to have been killed, although officials said the final toll could reach 1,000.

Emergency workers and residents were battling to dig people out of the rubble, using their bare hands.

Turkey to take the Gaza blockade to the International Court of Justice

Turkey to challenge Gaza blockade at International Court of Justice

Turkish announcement appears to rebuff attempts by UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon to end its row with Israel

Turkey is to challenge Israel's blockade on Gaza at the International Court of Justice, amid a worsening diplomatic crisis between the once close allies.

The announcement by Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu appears to rebuff UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon's attempt to defuse the row over Israel's armed assault on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in which nine people were killed.

[Turkey] Election Time

It's election time. Probably the most important elections of your life and you're not invited.

Turkey goes to the polls on Sunday 12 June 2010 and if the governing party gets a big enough mandate, they could be unleashed to provide the country with a new constitution that helps the country jump a good distance.

Or the power could get into the heads of the government and they may become authoritarian and/or a part of the problem (that is always a risk).

This will shape the future of Turkey and also have repercussions on the wider region.

Time to keep watching what happens.

Travel

Salaams!
I haven't been on here for a little while, but i've been very busy trying to sort myself out.
Now, after lots of job-hunting, iv been offered 3 jobs all at once!!
...
2 in turkey, starting middle of next month, 1 is in Ankara (the capital) but it's only for 6 weeks, the other is in Konya which is the hometown of Rumi & is all spiritual apparently, & is for over 2 months so I would prefer that I think.

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