“When you smile to your brother’s face, it is charity” (Hz. Muhammad) I once asked a Jewish diplomat friend of mine how they manage to create all those jokes about Moses, Solomon, Abraham, Jewishness and ancient tradition of Judaism and not get mad.
We will eat healthy and exercise more. We will read more and watch TV less. So should be our resolutions for 2015, right?
Ankara’s recent talks with the Kurds have come to a critical juncture. As the delegation of Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Pervin Buldan and İdris Baluken has now been joined by Hatip Dicle and Leyla Zana, the political weight of the negotiations seems to have shifted from cease-fire to autonomy/federalism.
As the police raid on daily Zaman and Samanyolu TV attracts more criticism from the European and U.S. capitals, the Gülen movement’s cohabitation with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) governments (or vice versa) shows an impressive balance.
“These mist covered mountains are a home now for me” The Ahmet Davutoğlu government’s recent attempt to change the conscription system in Turkey may be the beginning of a change of military culture, but it is also the end of an era in terms of equality.
As economies grow, so should wealth and tax base. Not in some countries. According to Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index, Turkey has suffered the year’s biggest fall in rank
U.S. Vice President Biden’s trip has clarified at least the thorny issues on the Syrian debacle. Turkey wants safe-zone; the U.S. wants to operate from İncirlik.
Turkey’s dependence on Russian gas and oil has turned into another factor in the Middle East. As the price of oil fell into historic lows, Moscow is suffering financially and Turkey can turn its “dependent customer” role into a bargaining chip.
The television and entertainment business is having a nightmare season this year. At least 10 popular television dramas have been canceled due to low ratings, but one has created such a storm that even the conservative columnists are having a party discussing it.
