BARÇIN YİNANÇ

The chances for new political parties in Turkey BARÇIN YİNANÇ

The chances for new political parties in Turkey

Prominent figures of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) who had been sidelined are preparing to start some sort of political movements. While former President Abdullah Gül is also cited to be among them, former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and former Foreign and Economy Minister Ali Babacan have lately been politically much more active compared to Gül, who is said to be behind Babacan. The latter point might not be false as Babacan was introduced to politics by Gül himself. (Gül is on the record for saying he personally went to Babacan’s parents to convince them, being likened to asking the hand of a bride.)

July 10 2019
Will Istanbul raise a new political figure in Turkish politics BARÇIN YİNANÇ

Will Istanbul raise a new political figure in Turkish politics?

In mid-2018 all the field studies conducted by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) pointed at Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Beylikdüzü district, as the best candidate for Istanbul mayor.

July 03 2019
The outcome of local elections might unleash anti-Syrian rhetoric BARÇIN YİNANÇ

The outcome of local elections might unleash anti-Syrian rhetoric

It was an open secret that Turkish society was getting more and more resentful towards Syrians living in the country.

July 01 2019
Istanbul elections: Vote of confidence to the ballot box BARÇIN YİNANÇ

Istanbul elections: Vote of confidence to the ballot box

Despite several shortcomings of Turkish democracy throughout the history of the Republic, Turks were convinced that at least one of its tenet remained deeply rooted: fair and free elections. No matter what happened in Turkey - coups, coup attempts, political bickering, polarization or partisanship, Turks used to say, “At least we have democratic elections.”

June 24 2019
The culture of impunity and the Khashoggi case BARÇIN YİNANÇ

The culture of impunity and the Khashoggi case

Receiving threats has been almost a daily routine for journalist Mine Kırıkkanat, who is currently writing for Cumhuriyet newspaper, one of the dailies fiercely critical of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) governance.

June 12 2019
Is Ankara falling into trap of anti-Turkish lobbies BARÇIN YİNANÇ

Is Ankara falling into trap of anti-Turkish lobbies?

“The United States cannot exclude Turkey from the F-35 program. Full stop. It’s as simple as that,” a taxi driver told me in full confidence. I just had spent the day reading all the materials I could find on the S-400s and F-35s to learn more about these systems, and I still was not feeling confident that I knew enough to speak about it with full conviction.

June 10 2019
S-400 purchase to benefit the Greeks and the Israelis BARÇIN YİNANÇ

S-400 purchase to benefit the Greeks and the Israelis

Turkey has started on May 27 a cross border military operation in Northern Iraq.

May 29 2019
Who is Europe punishing in Turkey The rulers or ordinary citizens BARÇIN YİNANÇ

Who is Europe punishing in Turkey? The rulers or ordinary citizens?

It took years for Galatasaray University to partner with University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne to introduce a program that would enable students going to the former to also have a diploma from the latter.

May 27 2019
CHP candidate’s Istanbul strategy BARÇIN YİNANÇ

CHP candidate’s Istanbul strategy

There is no doubt that Ekrem İmamoğlu, the opposition’s mayoral candidate for Istanbul, owes an important part of his success in being a serious contender in the municipal elections to teamwork.

May 22 2019